Co Londonderry 1-1 Argyle

ARGYLE began their assault on the Statsports Northern Ireland Super Cup with this draw against a much-fancied County Londonderry side at Seahaven, Portstewart.

The young Pilgrims had to come from behind after going down in the first minute when full-back Bobby Deane found space at the far post to head past James Morley.

That was practically the last seen of the local side as an attacking force as Argyle took control. Oscar Massey, who won the Golden Boot last year, saw his rasping drive turned wide of the far post by goalkeeper Alex Henderson.

Massey was causing the County defence problems and, after one foul, he saw his 20 yard free-kick fly over the bar. Carlo Garside then set up Massey but he fired a clear shooting chance over the bar from the edge of the box.

Massey then turned provider as he found William Jenkins-Davies racing in from the angle of the area only for his shot to be saved, at the second attempt, by Henderson.

It was no more than Argyle deserved when they equalised just two minutes after the break as Ryan Downing superbly found Massey, who smashed his shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

County almost hit back with Ryan McCreadie hitting a superb volley, only for Morley to produce the save of the game to turn the ball over the bar.

The action soon returned to the other end of the pitch and Downing turned sharply to send in a rasping drive that Henderson once again saved at the second attempt, leaving Argyle to contemplate what might have been and move on to their next game against O'Higgins of Chile.

Argyle: James Morley, Harvey Taylor, Jack Endacott, Jeffery Forkuo, Oscar Halls, Brandon Pursall, Carlo Garside, Oscar Massey, Ryan Downing, William Jenkins-Davies, Jack Matthews. Substitutes: Brandon Quinn, Adam Poole, Zak Baker, Jayden Gilbert, Harvey Field, Harley Sneap, Izeak Aaron-Driscoll.