Academy Report | Portsmouth 0 Argyle 2

Argyle under-18s recorded their first victory in the EFL Merit League with a 2-0 success away to a very good Portsmouth side.

Two first half goals from Will Jenkins Davies were enough to give the Pilgrims all three points against a side that finished one point and one place behind them in the Youth Alliance League.

Argyle were the better side in the first period, deservedly taking a 10th minute lead courtesy of Jenkins Davies’ superb solo effort.

Jenkins Davies received the ball a fair distance from goal, but drove forward, beat several players, then fired low across the goalkeeper to put Argyle ahead.

Pompey came back at Argyle but were always aware of the danger of Freddie Issaka and Joe Hatch, and it was the latter who created the chance for Jenkins Davies to notch his, and Argyle's, second on 34 minutes.

It came in painful circumstances for Jenkins Davies. He got to a looping ball before the home goalkeeper and headed in, but caught an arm in the face for his troubles. When he regained his feet, and played on, it was doubtless worth it, as Argyle now had a two-goal cushion they would retain to the game’s conclusion.  

It was only a superb double save by the home goalkeeper that denied Argyle a third just before the interval.

After the interval, the young Pilgrims were once again unlucky as great skill by Issaka saw him find Hatch who, under pressure, fired a shot against the crossbar.

Portsmouth pushed hard in the last quarter of the game to get back in it, but the Argyle defence stood firm to earn the young Greens a deserved and notable victory.

Argyle: Zak Baker, Lewis Colwell (Harry Shield 88), Jack Endacott, Harley Sneap, Oscar Halls (c), Cole Gibbings (Jensen Ireland 90), Caleb Roberts, Will Jenkins-Davies, Joe Hatch (Cole Fisher 56), Freddie Issaka, Kieran Edworthy. Substitutes not used: James Morley (gk).