Super Start

ARGYLE'S Under-15s opened their account in this season's SuperCupNI with a comprehensive victory at Scroggy Road, Limavady.

With the exception of a short spell at the start of the second half, the Young Pilgrims controlled the match and it was no more than they deserved when they scored twice, in the 47th and 89th minutes, through Joe Seery and sustitute Oscar Massey.

Argyle Head of Youth Coaching Kevin Nancekivell was a delighted man after the final whistle. "It was a great start and I thought the boys were terrific from the first minutes to the last," he said.

"We passed the ball well at times, creating lots of opportunities and our work rate was as we would expect at Plymouth Argyle.

"Admittedly, we had a little quiet spell at the start of the second half and we needed that first goal to get ourselves back on line. After we had scored, it we finished off our opponents strongly in the last quarter of the game." 

Argyle started well, with Jude Boyd sending in a 25-yard effort that was gathered at the second attempt by County Tyrone goalkeeper Matthew McIlwaine.

Dominic Osborne played a lone role up front and his forceful running continually worried the Irish defence. One superb run saw him go past three defenders before McIlwaine dived bravely at his feet to send his drive up into the air for Kieran Rowe to head the loose ball against the crossbar before the Tyrone defence cleared their lines.

Argyle made two substitutions to ensure that they retained control and it worked as they opened the scoring when good play on the left by Boyd ended with him squaring the perfect ball into the path of Seery, who lashed home a low drive from 15 yards.

Argyle continued to pressure the Tyrone defence but it was not until a minute from time that the notched their second goal as Seery raced through the midfield to steer the ball into the path of substitute Massey, who cooly fired under the diving McIlwaine and seal the victory.

"The whole squad, from one to 18, were brilliant," said Kevin, "but now they can celebrate for the next couple of hours before we move on to our next game against Chivas Guadalajara."

The match with the Mexican juniors takes place at Portrush on Wednesday, starting at 1.30pm.

Argyle: Shaun Hillier, Finley Craske, Reuben Collum, Jacob Evans, (Jimmy Miller 44), Dominic Harnell, Oliver Tomlinson, Jude Boyd, Joe Seery, Dominic Osborne (Oscar Massey 50), Kieran Rowe, Jamie Simmonds (Sam Wickens 38). Substitutes (not used): Alfie Wotton, Lewis Moyle, Owen Raven, Brandon Pursall.