Argyle Under-18 2 Newport County 1

Argyle Under-18 2 Newport County 1

TWO superb goals, in the final minutes of the first half, saw Argyle come from behind to beat Newport and secure their first Football League Youth Alliance victory of the season, on a day when the Pilgrims' first team also beat their Welsh opponents. 

The victory was one that Argyle's superior possession had dictated at a sun-baked Langsford Park after Newport's one and only effort on the home goal had produced their goal on 29 minutes.

The Argyle defence had given the ball away for Rhys Kavanagh to surge forward and lay off the perfect ball for Kyron Tolland to fire across Michael Cooper and inside the far post.

Play quickly returned to the other end of the pitch, with Billy Palfrey bringing a great save out of Newport custodian Jake Keating with Alex Battle hitting the rebound across goal and wide.

Alex Fletcher's low drive forced Keating into saving at the second attempt before Jordan Bentley headed the impressive Jack Calver's corner wide at the far post.

Argyle's fortunes finally turned, in dramatic fashion, on 43 minutes as Newport cleared the ball 30 yards to Calver who lashed a superb volley back into the corner of Keating's net.

Newport were still reeling as Dan Rooney picked the ball up 25 yards from goal to twist and turn before slamming a great drive into the visitor's goal, via the inside of the near post.

It was mainly Argyle in the second half with Fletcher denied by Keating before Owen Jones put a far post header straight at the overworked Newport 'keeper.

A great left wing cross from Battle then saw Fletcher send in a superb header, from the angle of the area, that flew just over the bar as Argyle comfortably saw the final minutes out for a deserved victory.

Argyle: Michael Cooper, Billy Palfrey, Ryan Law, Jake Miller (Luke Jephcott 71), Jordan Bentley, Owen Jones, Alex Fletcher, Jack Calver, Jason Vincent (Harry Hodges 88), Dan Rooney, Alex Battle (Cameron Sangster 85).