Argyle 2
Easter 7
Summerfield 58

Bristol City 0

ARGYLE reserves ran out comfortable winners with a 2-0 victory over their Bristol City counterparts in the totesport.com Combination.

Goals either side of half-time from Jermaine Easter and Luke Summerfield sealed the win for the Pilgrims who controlled preceedings throughout.

Although absent from the score-sheet, special praise should be reserved for Craig Noone who's persistence and darting runs helped to set up the first goal and in truth, could have created several more.

Delay: Injury to Jordan Walker haults proceedings

With no midweek senior fixture, manager Paul Sturrock had named a strong side to face the Pilgrims' Westcountry rivals. It was so strong in fact that nine of the starting line-up had started Coca-Cola Championship games already this season.

The match started physically and within six minutes, an injury to City right-back Jordan Walker forced a stoppage in play. After a long delay, Walker was replaced by youngster Daryn Hennessy.

Argyle's first real attack came soon after when Craig Noone, finding acres of space on the wing, sprinted towards goal with only the keeper to beat. He could of perhaps had a crack at himself but choose instead to cross to Jermaine Easter who headed handsomely wide.

Tough Crowd: First team players Craig Cathcart, David Gray, Ashley Barnes and Karl Duguid watch on

Nooney was again at the centre of things a few minutes later when a slick Argyle passing move saw Jim Paterson knock a slide-rule ball in between the young scouser and the Robins centre-halves. Already a stride behind, Noone just failed to make contact with the ball as Stephen Henderson kicked for touch.

Argyle continued to dominate and were rewarded after 17 minutes when Craig Noone's persistence on the wing gave Argyle the lead. With James Wilson struggling to clear in Zoo Corner, Noone stole the ball, passed to MacLean on the edge of the six-yard box who in turn rolled the ball into the path of Easter to fire Argyle ahead.

Heads Down: McNamee battles past Artus

The goal conceded seemed to spur on City, who now, for the first time in the game, looked like scoring. Saxton was called upon on a few occasions, most notably by Frankie Artus who forced the young stopper to tip his shot round the post at full stretch.

Argyle soon began to regain control however and it was Noone again who threatened to double his side's lead. In a move similar to that in the opening ten minutes, Noone strode towards goal with the goal at his mercy. He looked certain to shoot, but instead opted to cut-back to MacLean who was heavily fortified by Robins defenders and thus lost out.

Argyle brought their confidence back out for the second half but just couldn't find the break through they deserved. Jim Paterson went close with a low drive before a mazy Damien McCrory run saw him whip the ball across an empty penalty area.

Waiting: New signing George Donnelly waits for his chance

Eventually the second goal came courtesy of a smart looking Luke Summerfield free-kick. As Jim Paterson paced goal-bound he was tripped by Izzy Iriekpen. Summers, full of confidence after his set piece goal against Forest Green, executed the resulting free-kick perfectly, firing low into the far corner to leave Stephen Henderson with no chance.

The home side were easing to victory and had numerous chances to go further ahead. First, Jermaine Easter had a shot blocked before Simon Walton's glancing header fell just wide.

With 15 minutes to go, George Donnelly made his Home Park debut and almost made an immediate impact, only being denied by the brave keeping of Henderson in the City goal.

It was to be Argyle's last real chance and saw the game out at a canter.

Argyle (4-4-2): 27 Lloyd Saxton; 2 David McNamee, 4 Simon Walton, 5 Krisztián Timár, 3 Damien McCrory; 7 Chris Clark, 6 Jim Paterson, 8 Luke Summerfield (capt), 11 Craig Noone; 9 Jermaine Easter, 10 Steve MacLean (14 George Donnelly 75)

Substitutes (not used): 12 Ryan Brett, 13 Dan Smith, 15 Yoann Folly, 23 Ollie Chenoweth.

Bristol City (4-4-2): 1 Stephen Henderson; 2 Jordan Walker (15 Daryn Hennessy 6), 5 Izzy Iriekpen (14 Robert Stambolsiev 76), 6 Joe Edwards, 3 James Wilson; 8 Frankie Artus, 7 Tristan Plumber, 4 Ashley Kingston, 11 Jennison Myrie-Williams; 9 Peter Styvar (12 Marlon Jackson 66), 10 Lee Trundle.

Substitutes (not used): 13 Tom Bradley.

Referee: Adam Hopkins

Chris Parsons