Argyle Under-18s exited the Professional Development League Cup on Saturday afternoon, despite claiming a 4-3 victory against Cheltenham Town in Gloucestershire.
It was goals galore throughout the 90 minutes and, although the Robins took the lead several times throughout the game, Argyle were able to claw back and further their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
The Greens needed to win by three goals to get to the next stage, so that was a frustration, but the performance and the victory – a fifth in a row – made it a positive morning’s work.
Within 45 seconds, Sam Lord should have put the Greens ahead. Fletcher Poole moved out wide, from his usual number nine position, and managed to pick out Lord with an excellent ball across the box, but the midfielder was unable to find the back of the net from about two yards out.
Six minutes later, the game had its first goal, but it was for the hosts. Cheltenham stole the ball off a loose pass from Argyle and managed to strike the ball home.
This did not deter Jamie Lowry’s side from quickly getting back in the game, however. Poole jumped on a back pass in the 12th minute and stabbed it past the Cheltenham Town goalkeeper.
For the remainder of the half, Argyle continued to hunt for a second goal but, after Lord was shown a yellow card, the hosts doubled their lead after tidy play down the left and a tap-in at the back post.
Kian Burch had a chance to draw level, once again, just before the break, but saw his shot saved, meaning the Greens were trailing by one after 45 minutes of action.
Lowry turned to his bench at the break and start of the second half, bringing on Billy Devlin and Frankie Maund, and this eventually worked out for the Greens.
Before the duo’s heroics in the final minutes of the game, Malachi Davy’s left-footed strike, from outside the box, flew into the top corner, bringing the game back to 2-2, after a short-corner routine worked in favour of Argyle.
Cheltenham took the lead again in the 72nd minute, but two goals in two minutes for the Pilgrims in the final 10 minutes of the game turned the match in their favour.
Maund’s goal came first, after getting in behind the Robins’ defensive line and slotting home into the far corner, with Devlin’s comfortable finish following.
In the end, it was not enough to progress out of the group stage of the competition, with Cheltenham topping the group on goal difference, but Lowry was still pleased with the performance of his side, despite having the chance to score more than just four goals.
He said: “That was another good win for us, but it is slightly disappointing that we didn't get the three-goal swing that we probably deserved, after having 25 shots on goal. Our performance was really good and there was lots of pleasing play. We dominated the game from start to finish.
“Conceding a couple of cheap goals didn't help us, but in terms of the boys giving everything and doing anything they could to get back into the game, they were excellent.
“It’s five wins on the bounce now for the boys, so our confidence is high and form is good. Overall, I’m really pleased and we’re moving in the right direction with some really good performances.”
Argyle: 1 Jack Flower, 2 Jovan Wamani (15 Billy Devlin, half-time), 3 Malachi Davy, 4 Oscar Dean (capt), 5 Sam Hayman, 6 Toby Haley, 7 Kian Burch (16 Frankie Maund, 55), 8 Sam Lord, 9 Fletcher Poole, 10 Seb Campbell, 11 Tashall Sandhu. Substitutes: 23 Tom Armytage (gk), 12 Toby Maclean, 14 Joel Tolcher.
Goals: Poole 12, Davy 67, Maund 81, Devlin 83.
