Argyle U18s 2 Oxford U18s 1

ARGYLE'S youngsters recorded their first Football League Youth Alliance victory of the season with this impressive...

...and deserved, victory over an Oxford side that finished runners-up in the last campaign.

Argyle's goal hero was striker Nathan Stark who celebrated making his first under-18's start by scoring both their goals in an impressive first half performance at Tavistock's Langsford Park ground.

Stark gave Argyle the ideal start when he took advantage of Oxford's square defence to race on to a through ball and side-foot his shot past goalkeeper George Legg from 12 yards.

A foul on Solomon Wheatley should have seen Argyle double their lead, 13 minutes later, but Legg, who is on loan from Premiership side Reading, made a fine save from River Allen's penalty kick.

Stark then had a chance to notch his hat-trick but his shot flew narrowly wide of Legg's goal but Oxford made the most of those escapes when they levelled, against the run of play, on 24 minutes when James Roberts ran through the Argyle defence to slot the ball home low from 12 yards.

Parity lasted just four minutes by which time Allen's free kick was fumbled by Legg and Stark reacted in a flash to stab the ball over the line, at the second attempt.

The visitors enjoyed more possession after the break and Argyle 'keeper Andrew Hannah, pictured, did well to tip a Roberts header over his bar.

The nearest Argyle came to extending their lead was a couple of long range shots from midfielder Ryan Lane that unfortunately cleared Legg's crossbar.

Argyle: Andrew Hannah, Jake Miller, Ben Purrington, River Allen, Nathan Summers, Tom Moxham, Solomon Wheatley, Keiran Asumadu-Sakyi, Ethan Stark (Jason Vincent 85), Ryan Lane, Josh Hutchinson (Callum Hall 80). Substitutes (not used): T McHale, A Bentley.