Plymouth Argyle vs Crystal Palace U21

Argyle face Crystal Palace Under-21s on Tuesday evening in the final group game in this season’s Papa Johns Trophy. The game kicks off at Home Park at 7pm.

Both sides head into the game with chances of progressing through the group, although it is Argyle who have the situation in their own hands.

The Pilgrims top the four-team table with five points from two games so far, with Bristol Rovers in second place on four points and Palace in third with three. Swindon Town, who have no points, cannot go through.

If Argyle win in 90 minutes they will be through. If the game is a draw, it will go to a penalty shoot-out for an extra point, but regardless of who wins that, Argyle would still be guaranteed of progressing. If Palace win in 90 minutes, Argyle will be relying on Swindon being Rovers, by any method.

Thus far, Argyle have drawn 1-1 with Rovers, beating them in a shoot-out, and followed up with a 3-1 win at Swindon. Palace also won at Swindon, beating the Robins 2-0, before losing by the same margin in Bristol.

Palace's Under-21 side are managed by Paddy McCarthy, a former centre-back who played more than 150 games for the Eagles. Palace are top of the Premier League 2 table; Premier League 2 is a competition for the Under-21 teams of Category 1 Academies, with an allowance of over-age players.

Kick-off Time
The game kicks off at 7pm.

Schumacher Says
"It won’t be an easy game. Crystal Palace have been ok when I have watched them, played some good stuff. They need to come here and win.

“It’s a good stage for [our young players] to learn and get some more experience. They’re doing great for the Under-18s, which is good, but a step up in this competition if different for them, playing with the first-team players. Also, the pressure is different, it is good to know if they can handle it and perform in that environment."

Team News
Conor Grant will be making his first Argyle start since April. Dan Scarr is available for the game despite currently serving a league suspension. Steven Schumacher has indicated that, as in previous Papa Johns Trophy games, several young pros and Under-18 players will be involved in the match-day squad.

Tickets
Tickets remain available to purchase online at argyletickets.com. The Home Park Ticket Office will be open until kick-off for supporters wishing to purchase on the day of the fixture.

Turnstiles will open two hours before kick-off, from 5pm.

Argyle TV
Live video coverage of the game is available for £10 for both domestic and international supporters. Click here to see details of how to view in your region.

Richard Amofa will host a free pre-match show from 6pm, joined by Brian McGlinchey. Commentary of the game will be provided by Charlie Price and Katie Middleton.

Argyle 1
Ennis 90

Crystal Palace 0

A last-minute goal from substitute Niall Ennis proved enough for Argyle to edge past Crystal Palace U21’s and confirm the Pilgrim place in the next round of the Papa Johns Trophy.

On an evening of autumnal breeze inside Home Park, a delicious clipped ball from Will Jenkins Davies conjured the first chance, Jack Endacaott racing into the left channel for a first-time drive that ruffled the side-netting.

Jenkins Davies was involved in Argyle’s next foray, feeding a pass down the line for Sam Cosgrove to cut the ball back to Caleb Roberts, who instantly flicked it wide to Conor Grant, but his right-foot shot was dragged wide from the edge of the area.

A Roberts strike skewed wide on 26 minutes looked to continue the positive Pilgrim momentum but, in truth, it was a game that needed a sprinkle of magic from someone to spark into life.

An ambitious long-range drive fizzed wide by Cosgrove summed up the lack of clear opportunities in the opening half and it turned out to be a set-piece, floated long to Sean Grehan, that presented Palace with their best chance. Thankfully, his downward header was directed wide of Callum Burton’s far post.

Ryan Hardie replace Cosgrive at the interval, swiftly followed by Finn Azaz for Jenkins Davies, but the focus soon turned to Brendan Galloway, finding an excellent defensive header to thwart a rare Palace foray. Bali Mumba and Adam Randell were introduced for Grant and Finley Craske on the hour.

A clever back-header from Hardie squeezed wide of the neat post, as the Pilgrims set up camp in the Palace half. Argyle were edging closer to a decisive moment, an Azaz pass just carrying too much weight for Mumba to have a shot on goal.

On a night of limited chances, the swirling wind was an understandable excuse for the attacking players on show, as neither side could find a settled rhythm, with the Greens turning to the bench one more time, Ennis replacing Roberts.

A lovely pass from Azaz released Endacott for a low drive saved by Joe Whitworth on 73 minutes and the Palace custodian was soon called into action again, diving to his left to hold a sweeping effort from Mumba.

Gradually, the Greens were increasing the tempo, Randell exchanging passes to create room for a Matt Butcher strike that fizzed over the bar. Mumba then worked the ball inside for a pass to Ennis, cleared at the near post.

Brilliant play from Mumba led to the best chance of the evening on 85 minutes, as he weaved down the right and slipped a pass to Hardie for a low strike, but credit to Whitworth for a super reaction save with his legs.

The Greens were getting closer, Azaz drilling another low strike inches beyond the far post from 16 yards before a bundle on Ennis prompted mild shouts for a penalty, referee Benjamin Speedie instead awarding the foul to Palace.

The decisive goal finally arrived in the final minute, Ennis racing into the right channel and slipping a lovely finish beyond Whitworth to confirm Argyle’s progress in the Trophy.

Argyle: 25 Callum Burton; 6 Dan Scarr (c), 7 Matt Butcher, 15 Conor Grant (20 Adam Randell 61), 16 Sam Cosgrove (9 Ryan Hardie H-T), 32 Brendan Galloway, 36 Finley Craske (17 Bali Mumba 61), 42 Jack Endacott, 43 Oscar Halls, 44 Will Jenkins Davies (18 Finn Azaz 56), 49 Caleb Roberts (11 Niall Ennis 72). Substitutes (not used): 45 Zak Baker (gk), 37 Brandon Pursall.

Booked:

Crystal Palace: 42 Joe Whitworth, 40 John-Kymani Gordon, 45 Jack Wells-Morrison, 46 Sean Grehan, 50 Danny Imray (62 Maliq Cadogan 84), 54 Danny Omilabu (51 Fionn Mooney 70), 55 Killian Phillips, 58 Noah Watson, 60 Victor Akinwale, 77 David Ozoh (53 Ademola Ola-Abebomi 77), 78 Kaden Rodney (64 Jadan Raymond 84). Substitutes (not used): 74 Jackson Izquierdo (gk), 59 Josh Addae, 72 Freddie Bell.

Booked:

Attendance: 1,918

Referee: Benjamin Speedie

PLY Argyle

CRY Crystal Palace