Ful of Praise
ARGYLE manager Derek Adams believes the club's young players have a lot to be proud of after their FA Youth Cup journey ended with a 3-1 defeat to Fulham at Home Park on Wednesday night.
The young Greens reached the fifth round after knocking out Eastleigh, AFC Wimbledon, Manchester City and Burnley. Argyle took an early lead against Fulham when Klaidi Lolos coolly slotted home in the 22nd minute, but sadly for the Pilgrims Fulham hit back in the second half through Nicolas Santos-Clase which took the game to extra-time.
Argyle tired as Fulham scored twice to seal a 3-1 victory over Kevin Hodges' charges. Derek Adams felt the game was exciting and could have had a very different outcome.
Adams said: "It was a wee bit of a slow tempo and both sides were just feeling each other out. It wasn’t like a first team fixture but it was very entertaining. The tempo was very slow from both sides, I thought we passed the ball better in the first half than they did and we were unfortunate not to score to make it 2-0. Klaidi has an opportunity which he makes himself, the goalkeeper comes running out and if that had gone in I don’t think Fulham would have got back in the game."
Adams however, was delighted with the way the young Pilgrims have conducted themselves on their cup run and can see a positive future for Argyle, with the young guns gaining valuable experience.
"I think that to progress the way they have done," said Derek, "they have had a very good FA Youth Cup run. They’ll be delighted with the progress they have made and it is now about kicking on and finishing the season in Merit League Two now which they are finishing off strongly.
"We have had a good number of them training with the first team, which has given them good experience. [Cameron] Sangster and [Mike] Cooper have played for the first team this season from the Under 18. So that is beneficial and can only help their development."