Hit For Six

Last updated : 04 February 2006 By Tom Kirk
Bemused with the decision to credit Argyle's opener against Norwich as an own goal, Nick Chadwick and the media team at the club launched a petition to the Football League in a bid to amend the record books. It has been confirmed today that this appeal had been successful and that the goal would now be added to Chadwick's tally for the 2005/06 campaign, increasing it to six.

Danny Salman, a former Argyle player, works on behalf of the Press Association who clarify statistics, like goalscorers, for the worldwide media. He had originally deduced that Canaries defender Simon Charlton had turned the ball over the line, but stood corrected after watching the incident again on ITV Westcountry. The Plymouth-based regional broadcaster had used more camera angles during the game and viewers could clearly see that Chadwick had deflected the ball goalwards. "We've looked at the video and agree that it's Nick's" said the League's spokesperson Mark Bradley. He told the club that they would immediately "change the records to show that".

Click here for the Footymad Match Report for the 1-1 draw with Norwich City.

The former Everton forward, now with seven career goals in a green jersey, was understandable relieved as well as delighted with the news. "Things like that weren't going for me when I first came here and I'm glad they are going for me now" he said. Chadwick struggled for goals under Bobby Williamson, the manager who signed him for the Pilgrims, but has been given a regular starting position under Tony Pulis from which he has benefited. Along side Mickey Evans, Chadwick provides a constant threat in attack that the side lacked under the previous regime following Stevie Crawford's departure last January. Whilst fans are certainly pleased with the progress made as a more settled unit, it has come at an expense with Scott Taylor and Matt Derbyshire both leaving Home Park due to a shortage of first-team opportunities. It's the impressive form of the regular front-pairing that meant no new faces on transfer deadline day. Fans will want to see an emergency loan signing before too long as an injury to either Chadwick or Evans will leave Argyle in a spot of bother, as the only considerable alternatives at present are youth-team striker Chris Zebroski or an unwarranted change of formation.