Tiverton 0

Argyle 1
Head 28

LIAM Head pounced on a horror mistake from former Pilgrim Matt Villis to round-off Argyle's pre-season campaign with victory at Tiverton Town.

The hosts had performed admirably until a scuffed back-pass from Villis gave Head the time to drift a delightful chip into the waiting net on 28 minutes.

Argyle's young side dominated the second period and could have scored more, if Head's team-mates had matched his composure in front of goal.  

Head of youth coaching Mike Pejic took control from the sidelines, with manager Paul Sturrock prompting his young side from the relative comfort of the dugout.

Oliver Chenoweth took on glove duty behind a defence marshalled by Simon Walton, fresh from a spell of training at Millwall. He was partnered by Ben Gerring, with the two Ryans, Leonard and Brett occupying the full-back positions.

Yoann Folly added experience to an Argyle midfield that also contained Damien McCrory. They were flanked by Matt Rickard and Jake Baker. Head was joined in attack by Joe Mason.

Veteran midfielder Mark Saunders joined defender Villis as the former Pilgrims included in the Southern League side's starting line-up.

Tiverton started the game brightly, pegging Argyle back for the first ten minutes. The Pilgrims, playing in the new white and green away strip, eventually broke their yellow shackles to exploit some sloppy marking from a corner, but McCrory's low shot was easily fielded by 'keeper Steve Book.

It was a brief glimpse of expected dominance from the visitors, who generally toiled through the opening quarter of the game, and Tiverton almost punished a bout of loose passing on the greasy surface.

Argyle's generosity in midfield allowed Ben Cleverley to take aim from 25-yards, and his sweetly struck left-footer shaved the outside of Chenoweth's post.

Head finally emerged from the shadow of his marker Villis to pick up a low pass from Baker and cut inside the retreating defence, but the eventual shot was comfortable for Book.

The same man would make no mistake moments later, when a shocking back-pass by Villis gave the England under-17 international time to measure up a beautifully executed lob over the stranded Book.

It was a gift of a goal and Argyle settled into a rhythm that Tiverton found difficult to disrupt for the rest of the first-half.

Six changes at half-time did little to change the pattern for the hosts and they were left gasping with relief after Mason dragged wide a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0 minutes after the restart.

Mason was involved again on the hour-mark, darting to meet a McCrory cross to the near post, but the final connection lacked the strength to trouble the home 'keeper. McCrory decided to go alone on 70 minutes, rifling a terrific drive from distance down the throat of a grateful Book.

The Irish midfielder was beginning to threaten with regularity, and one surging run ended with an unceremonious dump to the ground. Walton fired the free-kick into the wall, but McCrory's lovely clipped effort from the rebound was only just off target.

Mason fired a fearsome low shot into the feet of Book to complete the chances on an evening that will go down as another useful exercise in the development of Argyle's younger players.

Argyle (4-4-2): 1 Oliver Chenoweth; 2 Ryan Leonard, 6 Ben Gerring, 5 Simon Walton, 3 Ryan Brett; 7 Matt Rickard (14 Luke Young 67), 4 Yoann Folly, 8 Damien McCrory, 11 Jake Baker; 9 Liam Head, 10 Joe Mason.