Seb Campbell’s stoppage-time penalty saw Argyle Under-18s earn a dramatic 5-4 victory over Bromley at Millenium Fields, maintaining their perfect start to the Youth Alliance League campaign.
Jamie Lowry’s side have now won all four of their league games this season, although they were made to work extremely hard for their latest three points after initially surrendering a three-goal lead in a thrilling contest.
Billy Devlin, James Sharpe and Frankie Maund put the Pilgrims ahead, but Bromley fought back to level the score by the 73rd minute. Maund restored Argyle’s lead with his second of the afternoon, only for George Rees to equalise in the third minute of stoppage time.
There was still time for one final twist though, as Campbell converted from the penalty spot eight minutes into added time to secure all three points.
Head Coach Lowry made three changes to the side that faced Bristol City in the PDL Cup a fortnight ago, with Leo McCormick, Toby MacLean and Billy Devlin replacing Thomas Armytage, Jovan Wamani and Marley-Blu Francis.
McCormick started in goal on his return from a short-term work experience loan with Plymouth Parkway and had a back four ahead of him consisting of Dylan Williams, Sam Hayman, MacLean and Jared Rendle, from right to left.
Campbell and Joel Tolcher remained in the centre of midfield, with Tashall Sandhu on the right wing and Devlin on the left. Ahead of them it was an unchanged front two, consisting of Sharpe and Maund.
Argyle started brightly and created the first big opportunity after just seven minutes, when Maund raced through following Hayman’s ball over the top, only for Bromley goalkeeper Ryan Murphy to produce an excellent save.
The hosts continued to dominate the ball and eventually made the breakthrough in the 27th minute. Devlin picked the ball up in midfield before weaving his way between the Bromley defence and finding the back of the net to give Argyle a deserved lead.
Bromley almost responded immediately, but McCormick produced another important save to deny Jonathan Soda from close range.
Argyle doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when Sharpe headed home from close range after Sandhu’s deep corner was played back across goal.
The Pilgrims added a third six minutes later, with Maund scoring from the penalty spot after he was unfairly pulled back by Cameron Matovu inside the box.
Bromley pulled one back in first half stoppage time, as captain Jonathan Haftom converted from 12 yards following a foul on Riley Stammers, and the visitors came out with renewed purpose after the break reducing the deficit to just one goal in the 50th minute when Soda scored again.
Rees then brought Bromley level with a half-volley on the edge of the box to make it 3-3.
Argyle responded well and regained their advantage with seven minutes of normal time remaining. A superb move down the right saw Sandhu deliver a cross into the path of Maund, who produced a clever flick around his defender and into the bottom left corner of Murphy’s net for his second goal of the afternoon.
Bromley refused to give up and once again found an equaliser deep into stoppage time, with Rees volleying home to make it 4-4.
But the drama was not over.
After coming on as a substitute, Francis was brought down inside the penalty area in the eighth minute of added time, giving Campbell the opportunity to win the game from the spot.
The midfielder stepped up and calmly converted, sparking celebrations among the Argyle players and staff as the young Pilgrims held on to claim a memorable three points.
Reflecting on the game, Lowry was delighted with his side’s first half performance but admitted there were lessons to take from the way Bromley fought back.
He said: “We were outstanding in the first 45 minutes. In fact, it was probably the best 45 minutes of our season so far in terms of dominating the ball. We were totally in control and comfortable, and we managed to top it off with three great goals.
“But we gave away a sloppy penalty on the stroke of half-time, which gave them a bit of an incentive heading into the next 45 minutes. We knew they would come out a better team and that their manager would get into them.
“I think we just lost our way and our focus. It turned into a bit of a basketball game, and I felt that it was too transitional and open.
“Frankie got us back ahead with a really tidy goal to make it 4-3 – it was a great little flick. But Bromley kept pushing until the end and got the fourth which was down to us just not doing enough work to get back in there.
“At 3-0 we should have been cruising and in control, but we didn’t make that lead last. But that is all part of their development as players. We spoke after the game about how they have to keep learning and get more comfortable in key moments.
“But we did enough in the end, and Seb put away the penalty to win it for us. Overall, I’m really pleased with the mentality to see the game through until the end and get a win.”
The result means Argyle remain perfect in the Youth Alliance League with four wins in as many games and a home match against Cardiff City in the PDL Cup on the horizon.
Argyle: 23 Leo McCormick, 2 Dylan Williams, 6 Toby MacLean (12 Corey Browne, 78), 5 Sam Hayman (capt), 3 Jared Rendle, 7 Tashall Sandhu (14 Harry Locke, 87), 8 Seb Campbell, 4 Joel Tolcher, 11 Billy Devlin (15 Marley-Blu Francis, 78), 9 Frankie Maund, 10 James Sharpe (16 Emran Boudarga-Wischhoff, 70). Substitutes: 1 Tom Armytage (gk).
Goals: Devlin 27, Sharpe 37, Maund 43, 83, Campbell 90+8
Referee: Alan Bassett