On a frustrating day at the office for some of Canada’s other strikers, Aribim Pepple stepped up for Plymouth Argyle, sparking big second half for his side to earn a 3-2 win over Doncaster Rovers.
After an Alfie May penalty early in the second half cancelled out Will Evans’ first half opener — scoring a rebound after a shot set up by Pepple was saved — the Canadian fired Plymouth back into the lead in the 74th minute. He picked out the bottom right corner with a left-footed cross-goal shot after receiving the ball in a dangerous position from Caleb Watts.
Watts added one of his own in the 83rd minute, firing home from the edge of the penalty area after the Doncaster goalkeeper came out of his net to try and punch the ball away from Pepple, attempting to collect a long pass up the pitch.
Seán Grehan pulled one back for Doncaster, heading home a stoppage time free kick to deny Pepple’s goal being the game-winner, but it was too late to rescue a draw.
Pepple, who was called up to the Canadian national team for the first time in March but is yet to make his international debut, could have had a couple more goals on the day, including one that went in but was disallowed for an offside.
Ona weekend so far where Canadian forwards haven’t had the best go of things following last week’s goalfest, the former Cavalry FC striker stood out. It was his first League One goal of the season after scoring 16 last year and nearly earning himself a spot on Canada’s World Cup squad.
Jonathan David was left on the Atlético Madrid bench in a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, not making his LaLiga debut. Daniel Jebbison and Promise David both came off the bench in the Premier League but couldn’t make impacts in draws for Bournemouth and Brighton, respectively, while Cyle Larin and Theo Bair were kept off the scoresheet in the Championship for Southampton and Bolton.
For Bair it was his debut in English football after arriving at Bolton this week.