Argyle Under-18s return to Youth Alliance League Cup action this afternoon when they travel to face Bristol Rovers, for the first of two games against the same opposition in just five days.
The Young Pilgrims will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Northampton Town, having suffered a late comeback despite holding a two-goal lead with 20 minutes remaining. The defeat marked the first time that Argyle have dropped points in the league this season.
Head Coach Jamie Lowry was happy with his side’s performance for most of the game but was frustrated by the manner in which they surrendered a 2-0 lead.
He said: “I thought for 70 minutes we were brilliant. In terms of how we played and the way we passed the ball, being brave and connecting well, and linking up with the front two was really pleasing.
”We crumbled after we conceded the first goal, which was really disappointing. We spoke about it in the post-match analysis, that kind of mentality we need to have when we do have a setback.”
However, Lowry believes the experience will provide valuable lessons for his young squad, who were up against an unbeaten Northampton side determined to end Argyle’s winning streak.
“They (Northampton) were super competitive, and they really wanted to beat us, and we just lacked a little bit of that winning mentality,” Lowry said. “It wasn’t anything tactical or technical. It was more so just the willingness to fight, work and see the game out.
”Hopefully the boys will learn from it, and that’s what development football is there for – to make mistakes and learn from them.”
Attention now turns to the YAL Cup, where Argyle are still searching for their first points after losing to Exeter city and Portsmouth in their opening two fixtures. But, with two games still to play, it is all still to play for.
Lowry is keen to see his players translate their frustration into a positive display against Rovers, with the two sides set to meet again in league action on Saturday.
He said: “I am looking forward to, hopefully, a massive response from Saturday as we look to rebuild and go again.
”It’s a game in a competition where we haven’t won in yet, so it’s important that we try to pick up three points and look to progress – but most importantly it’s about the reaction to Saturday going forwards.”
With the opportunity to put last Saturday’s disappointment behind them and get their cup campaign up and running, Argyle will be aiming to deliver the response Lowry is looking for.