Argyle Under-18s were beaten 4-1 by Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday afternoon at Harper’s Park.
The visiting Gloucestershire side took an early lead, which doubled before the 20-minute mark, and found the back of the net further after Joel Tolcher seemed to bring Argyle back into the game.
A youthful Greens side, playing in front of first-team staff and Head Coach Tom Cleverley, could not get going and paid for early mistakes just after kick-off.
A recovery challenge from Jared Rendle was deemed to be a foul, with Rovers being awarded a penalty. Billy Glover converted from the spot, giving the visitors the lead just four minutes into the game.
Argyle tried to find their way back into the game but struggled to do so. Tolcher managed to get a shot away from the edge of the area, but the midfielder dragged his effort wide, and just a few minutes later, Rovers capitalised on an error at the back.
A long ball over the Greens’ defence caught all out, with Glover then tapping home after connecting with the delivery into the box from the right wing.
Jamie Lowry was forced into a change, bringing on Tashall Sandhu, and it seemed to give Argyle the push needed to hunt for more in the game. Several attacking phases were developed, but it took until the 35th minute to find the back of the net.
Tolcher’s left-footed shot from the edge of the box flew past several bodies standing in the area and snuck into the bottom corner. The deficit was quickly back to two, though, as Glover scored his and Rovers’ third, in very similar fashion to the second, just before half-time.
The second half start was much different to the first, but Argyle were unable to convert attacking chances into goals. Seb Campbell, Fletcher Poole, substitute Harry Locke and Sandhu all tried their luck, but Rovers’ bodies got in the way to block any effort and clear away.
As the minutes eked on, fewer opportunities came Argyle’s way and, just before the full-time whistle, Glover added his fourth from the penalty spot.
Oscar Dean, who came on just before the 70th minute, was shown a red card in the final stages of the game for picking up two yellows in quick succession.
Head Coach Lowry said: “We conceded four poor goals today. Our general play was okay. We had a lot of the ball and controlled the majority of the game, but didn't show enough creativity to break them down and have a bit about us in the final third.
“We lacked any imagination or that individual to provide a bit of quality, so that was disappointing. Performance-wise, it was okay, but we can't concede four really poor goals and expect to win a game of football.
“For the first goal, we had the ball, lost possession on the edge of their box, didn’t make a tackle, and then we gave away a penalty in our box. It’s all about learning. This is what they're here for, and this is why we do it.
“The important thing is that they start taking things away and learning, but I think the frustrating thing at the moment is that we keep giving the same messages and the boys are not quite getting and valuing it.”
Argyle: 1 Jack Flower, 2 Joe Mwaro (capt) (15 Tashall Sandhu, 24), 3 Malachi Davy, 4 Joel Tolcher, 5 Dylan Williams, 6 Toby Maclean, 7 Jared Rendle (12 Lewis Flowers, 68), 8 Toby Rider, 9 Fletcher Poole, 10 Seb Campbell (14 Oscar Dean, 68), 11 Harry Shield (16 Harry Locke, half-time). Substitute: 23 Leo McCormick (gk).
Goal: Tolcher 35.
Yellow card: Dean 85.
Red card: Dean 90+2.
