Ross Jenkins hopes first goal isn't his last for Plymouth Argyle

MIDFIELDER Ross Jenkins is determined his debut goal for Argyle will not be the last of his loan spell from Championship club Watford.

Jenkins scored in spectacular style with a 20-yard shot which flew high into the net in the 3-2 win away to Morecambe last Saturday.

The Pilgrims had been trailing 2-0 until Jenkins struck in the 72nd minute and it sparked a terrific fightback.

Yet it was only the third goal of a career which had previously seen him make 78 starts and 17 substitute appearances for Watford.

The last time he had scored was in March 2011, when Watford won 3-0 at home to Sheffield United in the Championship.

Jenkins was paired with Conor Hourihane, also aged 21, in the centre of midfield for Argyle against Morecambe.

He believes that partnership could see him get more chances to add to his goal tally while he is with the Pilgrims.

Jenkins has been signed on an initial one-month loan from Watford, for whom he has played only once this season – in a Capital One Cup tie.

He told Herald Sport: "I have played more of a defensive midfield role for most of my career.

"But against Morecambe I had Conor who doesn't mind holding, so it allowed me to get forward more and have a strike at goal.

"We are both young and have the same understanding of how we want to play, which is to pass the ball and to move and get it again.

"We don't really like to smash it long. Obviously, we will do the hard side to the game, but we do like to get the ball down and try to get things moving.

"We had a good understanding on the day and, hopefully, we can carry that on until the end of my loan."

Jenkins will make his first Home Park appearance for Argyle when Paul Sturrock's Southend United are the visitors tomorrow.

But the former England under-20 international has played there twice before for Watford in games against the Pilgrims.

The first occasion was in March 2009, when Argyle came out on top 2-1, courtesy of two goals from striker Paul Gallagher.

Jenkins also started for Watford when they won 1-0 at Home Park in September 2009 after an early strike from midfielder Tom Cleverley, who has gone on to play for Manchester United and England.

He said: "I have played here a couple of times and it was a good atmosphere when we came down – very intimidating.

"It seemed like they (Argyle) had great support, and I saw that against Morecambe as well. It was a long distance to travel, but they made the trip and you could really hear the fans."

Lining up opposite Jenkins in midfield for Argyle was Carl Fletcher, who is now the 32-year-old manager of the Pilgrims.

"From what I have seen, he seems very keen and wants to do things right," said Jenkins. "He wants the boys to play good football and enjoy it."

The loan move to Argyle has reunited Jenkins with goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin, who previously played for Watford.

Gilmartin signed for the Pilgrims as a free agent this summer but has yet to make his debut, although he has now returned to training from a knee injury.

Jenkins added: "Hopefully, I can another goal tomorrow in front of the home crowd.

"I have spoken to Rene and he told me the fans were good. Hopefully, they can give us a lift and a bit of a home advantage, and we can start playing our football."

Jenkins was born in Watford but now lives in High Wycombe.

So he is set to have the support of family and friends when Argyle take on Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park next Tuesday.

Wycombe sacked manager Gary Waddock after they lost 1-0 at home to AFC Wimbledon last Saturday and Gareth Ainsworth has taken over in a caretaker role.

Jenkins said: "It's just around the corner from my house so, hopefully, I will see my family then and a few local faces."