Argyle Under-18s will be looking to get their first win in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup when they travel to face Portsmouth at noon today.
Jamie Lowry’s side are playing their second game in the competition, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to local rivals Exeter City in their opening fixture.
The Young Pilgrims have already faced Portsmouth this season, winning 4-2 in the Youth Alliance League thanks to an Emran Boudarga-Wischhoff goal and a Frankie Maund hat-trick.
However, Pompey have kicked on since the last meeting and have moved up to second in the league with 14 points from seven games, while Argyle remain faultless on four wins from four.
Lowry is expecting another tough encounter this afternoon, with Portsmouth possessing a clear style of play.
“They are a really good side, ” Lowry told Argyle TV. “They pass the ball really well and have had a good start to the season.
“They want to build and play through the thirds, so it is important that our out-of-possession is back at the levels we have set all season.
”Then, when we do regain the ball, we have to be really tidy and look after it. Otherwise, it will be a long afternoon.”
Portsmouth lost 2-1 in their opening Youth Alliance Cup game, meaning they sit on zero points after one game played – level with Argyle.
Both sides will be looking to get their first points on the board and finish in the top two of Southern Group D to qualify for the regional quarter-finals.
Lowry believes a run of away games will provide another valuable learning opportunity for his players, preparing them for a potential career in senior football.
He said: “We have a busy two-week period with the trips to Portsmouth, Cambridge and Newport coming up, so it is a great chance for the boys to pick up points within the three games.
”In terms of the experience for the boys, to adapt and realise the importance of preparation and recovery before games, is another step in their journey.”
A number of Under-18 players are expected to be involved with the first team’s fixture against Crystal Palace Under-21s this evening, creating opportunities for others in the squad to get some minutes under their belts against Portsmouth.
Despite having a slightly thinner squad than usual, Lowry believes in the group that will travel across the south coast and their capabilities to get a positive result.
“The fact that we are going to have a few boys involved in the first team is going to be fantastic for them,” he said.
“But we are going to be strong enough, there will be some opportunities for lads who have not started as many games as they would like to.
”No matter what team we take there, we are really confident that if we perform how we can, we will be successful.
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You can watch Lowry’s full preview now here on Argyle TV.