Under-15s Beat West Brom

THE experience gained by Argyle's Under-15s in the Northern Ireland SuperCup is paying dividends as the youngsters deservedly beat their Category One hosts at the West Bromwich Albion Halford Lane training ground.

Argyle's reward is a home semi-final in the Under-15s Premier League Shield Competition against either Fulham or Norwich, as their season of fine results continued.

The confidence gained from the recent victory over Swansea was plain to see as the young Pilgrims started brightly, creating several chances before finally taking a 21st-minute lead.

Argyle were awarded a free-kick in central midfield and Will Jenkins-Davies swung the ball into the area, where it rebounded to Harvey Field who calmly side-footed home from six yards.

This goal awoke the slumbering Baggies who came back at their visitors but the Argyle defence coped well with everything that was thrown at them before doubling their lead three minutes before the interval.

A high press forced the West Brom defence into an error, which allowed Ryan Downing to steal the ball and fire home, low, from the edge of the area.

The second half saw Argyle continue to press and only five minutes had gone by when Jack Endacott was brought down in the area for Jenkins-Davies to calmly slot his spot-kick low to the goalkeeper's left hand.

West Brom finally got on the score-sheet corner was tapped home at the far post. The Baggies tried hard to get back into the game but they found the Argyle defence in miserly mood as the visitors saw the tie out.

Academy Manager Phil Stokes was a delighted coach after the final whistle, saying: "We were excellent in the defeat of Swansea and the lads were exceptional again.

"We demonstrated a mature performance, against a very good Category One side, and our intensity and work rate was on another level, both in and out of possession."

Argyle: Zak Baker (James Morley 68), Adam Poole, Harvey Field, Jeffrey Forkuo, Oscar Halls, Will Jenkins-Davies, Freddie Issaka (Brandon Lapthorne 70), Caleb Roberts (Brandon Quinn 50), Jaydon Gilbert (Harry Gregory 65), Ryan Downing, Jack Endacott.