Argyle Under-18s start their FA Youth Cup journey on Wednesday night, with a Home Park tie under the lights against Mangotsfield United (7pm).
Jamie Lowry’s side have maybe not started the season how they would have wanted to but, as many know, the FA Cup throws form out the window and can create magical moments, as seen last year.
Victories away to Carlisle United and against Lincoln City, at the Theatre of Greens, set up a tie against Premier League side Everton away from home. Cole Fisher’s penalty, just minutes into the tie, was the decider on the evening, progressing Argyle into the quarter-finals of the competition against Aston Villa.
Although the result did not fall the Greens' way, with Villa winning 3-0 and going on to win the cup, the memories made have stayed in the minds of all players and staff involved.
Lowry understands the importance of the FA Youth Cup to all involved and hopes his side can put aside their struggling results to secure a place in the draw for the next round.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to it,” he told Argyle TV. “It's a competition that is big on the Under-18s calendar and holds a lot of heritage and prestige. Hopefully, last year’s achievements or the run the boys had last year have given that boost and incentive to want to achieve those targets, goals, and another successful run.
“Last year was an outstanding achievement. It’s something that we’ve spoken about and something that the boys will always have with them, as well as myself and the staff, and that's what it's there for. This is a development programme that aims to improve players and provide them with the opportunity to become professional footballers. However, along the way, it's also about creating great memories and moments, and that run definitely was one.
“It’s important to be successful in the first round, and yes, it can add to league form as well, but the FA Youth Cup has that little bit more about it. Butterflies in the stomach, maybe some more nerves, but more excitement as well. Being here at Home Park and having a crowd always adds to it as well, so we're looking forward to it, and again, it's that challenge to the boys to be able to handle playing in environments like on Wednesday night in front of those crowds.
“It’s a great thing that we'll be able to give these boys another taste and a little flavour of what it’s like to be involved with the first team.”
Argyle hosted the South Gloucestershire side in the first round of the competition four years ago, nearly to the day, winning 2-1 at Home Park, thanks to goals from Angel Wariuh and Jamal Salawu.
The opposition presents Lowry, his staff, and players a new challenge, with them not being a ‘regular opponent,’ and one that all will embrace, with full focus on us at the forefront of all thinking.
He said: “We debriefed Saturday’s loss to Cambridge [on Monday] morning, pushed it to the side, and focused solely on Wednesday night. We’re really focused on what we are trying to do, but we do know their strengths and weaknesses, after seeing a couple of their games, so it's important that we show them the respect they deserve.
“Getting to this round of the competition shows something, and they've had good wins in the previous rounds, but it's important that we're at home. We're the professional club. It's important that we set a tone, show the quality we have, are able to play our game, and get an impact.
“They’re going to come here and enjoy it, with being at Home Park and in a professional stadium, which will be unbelievable for our lads, and even more so theirs. It's how we approach it, in the right mindset and with the right attitudes going in to make sure we get the result and job done on Wednesday night.”
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Adult tickets for the Youth Cup encounter cost £5, but season-ticket holders can buy theirs for just £3.
Over-65s and Under-23s also cost £3, whilst Under-18s can purchase their ticket for just £1, alongside a paying adult.
Tickets for this fixture can be purchased at any time by visiting argyletickets.com.
You can also buy tickets via phone by calling 01752 907700, or by visiting the Home Park Ticket Office from 10am to 4pm on Monday to Friday, or 10am to 2pm on non match-day Saturdays.
