HEAD of youth coaching Mike Pejic was pleased with the manner of our youngsters' performance as five different players scored the goals in their best win of the season to date in the Football League Youth Alliance at Haye Road.
Centre-back Curtis Nelson was the first to find the target on 11 minutes, shooting home from close range after a left-wing free kick from trialist Tom Urwin caused panic in the Grecians' defence.
Eight minutes later Exeter capitalized on a moment's hesitancy by Nelson that enabled Tom Nichols to grab a leveler.
Schoolboy right back Jack Stephens created a chance for striker Jared Sims, another schoolboy, to force a fine save out of the visitors' 'keeper, but that was the nearest either team came to scoring during an evenly-contested first half.
The Young Pilgrims broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second period when another trialist, midfielder Ryan Connor, fired home a rasping 25-yard free-kick.
Then, in the 71st minute, a fine interception by Nelson set up right-winger Jed Harper-Penman to pick his spot and unleash a fierce 20-yard shot for his first goal for our youngsters.
Exeter conceded a penalty on 82 minutes, when left-winger Urwin burst into the penalty area and was up-ended by their 'keeper, and the trialist confidently netted the resultant spot-kick.
Urwin created a chance for substitute midfielder Luke Young to shoot narrowly wide before another substitute, striker Lewis Coombes, headed Argyle's fifth goal in stoppage time after Connor's right-wing corner had been helped on at the near post by Stephens.
The two trialists are both second-year apprentices released by the Stoke City Academy and will be spending the next two weeks at Home Park trying to earn professional contracts for next season.
Argyle (4-2-4): 1 Raivo Varazinskis; 2 Jack Stephens, 5 Curtis Nelson, 6 Jordan Trott (16 Jamie Richards, 46), 3 Connor Clifford; 7 Jed Harper-Penman, 8 Jordan Berry, 4 Ryan Connor, 11 Tom Urwin; 10 Jared Sims (15 Luke Young, 50), 9 Matt Rickard (14 Lewis Coombes, 68). Subs (not used): 12 Jake Baker, 23 Ollie Chenoweth.
Most of the youth team will be in action again on Tuesday evening for the Reserves in the 'home' totesport Combination fixture against AFC Bournemouth, which is being played at Tiverton Town's Ladysmead ground, ko 7pm.
Their next match in the Football League Youth Alliance is on Saturday, when they travel to play Oxford United at Oxford University's Ifley Road stadium (kick-off 11am).
Next Saturday the under-16's have a home game against Exeter City at Elburton Villa's Haye Road ground, while the under-15's travel to play Aldershot at their Bourley Road training ground (both games kick-off at 11am).
Then on Sunday our six younger teams play against Exeter City - the under-14's entertain them at Haye Road, and the under-12's and under-11's at Eggbuckland Community College, whilst the under-13's, under-10's, and under-9's travel to player at the Grecians' Cat & Fiddle training ground (all games kick-off at 11am).
