Match Preview | Argyle Academy vs Exeter City under-18s

Darren Way praised his young Greens’ willingness as they look to complete a league double over Devon rivals Exeter City and at Harper’s Park on Friday.

A win for Argyle would take them above Exeter and AFC Bournemouth to become the EFL Youth Alliance league leaders on 31 points.

However, current leaders AFC Bournemouth have a game in hand prior to this Friday’s kick-off.

Reflecting of his team’s bounce back since the loss to Forest Green Rovers, Way said, “I think the players have shown a real willingness over the last few weeks.

“We are in a good position in the league table which is always good at this time of the season, it keeps the lads energised. 

“There’s a lot of intensity a lot of aggression in training, a lot of focus. 

“This for us is another game in which we want to make sure we play well, and we stick to the way we play. 

“We need to respect the opposition and do everything we can to win.”

Argyle earned all three points in the reverse fixture back in November.

Will Jenkins-Davies’ long-range effort was enough to earn Way’s first win away against the Grecians in the league with what was a confident display.

Way analysed what he expects to see from the away side on Friday, “You know they are always going to be competitive, and you know there’s always going to be moments in the game when there’s pressure at both ends. 

“We have to make sure we handle the transitional moments and understand when we need to be in good defensive shape. 

“We need to understand when the moment’s right to counter-attack at speed and with our pace and our power. 

“It’s a game all the lads have been looking forward to.”

Argyle go into the game in very good form. 

Confident wins against both Oxford United and Cheltenham Town have propelled Argyle up the table and boosted the squad’s confidence.

Way continued by praising his players, “They’re a good group, they’re a coachable group. 

“Tactically they’re very astute in what we are asking them to do and its quite rewarding for a parent and a player to watch us play.

“With three games to go, it’s probably, in terms of being competitive and coming out of the season winning something, it’s nice to know that’s going to be in our own hands with playing Portsmouth and then Bournemouth and then the game on Friday. 

“We are all looking forward to it and it will be a good run in.”

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