Argyle Under-18s picked up their second win of the season on Friday afternoon, beating Barnet 1-0 away from home.
Jared Rendle’s close-range first-half finish was enough to decide the tie and hand the Greens an important three points in EFL Youth Alliance League South play.
Argyle dominated the ball early on, creating chances from set-pieces and a strike at goal by Fletcher Poole, but none were causing Barnet goalkeeper Anthony Haralambous any issues, with comfortable saves or clearances being made.
Just after the 25th minute, and some pressure from Barnet, Rendle broke the deadlock. Tidy footwork and quick play from Poole on the left flank resulted in the Argyle number nine beating his defender on the byline, and cutting back across goal to Rendle inside the six-yard box to tap home.
The Greens held out for the remainder of the first half and continued their attacking push in the second 45. Billy Devlin came close to doubling Argyle's lead just after the hour mark.
The Argyle number four drove towards goal and attempted to chip the ball over Haralambous, but the Barnet 'keeper did well to save the attempt at goal at the near post with his body.
Head Coach Jamie Lowry turned to his bench, hoping to find a second, but it did not matter as Argyle held out to the final whistle, coming away from The Hive as victors.
Lowry said: “I’m really pleased with today. It was a solid performance, and it was nice to bounce back after last Saturday. I think it's really important that the lads realise how this result came about - through the good focus and intensity that they had in defensive actions, out of possession work, and shape. They did their jobs and took responsibility.
“In possession, the game plan was to try and hit them on the counterattack and try and play forward once we regained the ball, which worked really well.
“We had three or four really good chances. Two one-on-ones with the goalkeeper, so it could have been more, really, but the most pleasing thing was the lad’s focus and concentration during the 90 minutes and keeping a clean sheet, for the first time this season.
“It is something to build on, though. I don't think that was a perfect performance, but it was definitely a step in the right direction, so I’m really pleased.”
Argyle: 1 Jack Flower, 2 Joe Mwaro, 3 Jovan Wamani (12 Dylan Williams, 78), 4 Billy Devlin, 5 Sam Hayman, 6 Toby Haley, 7 Jared Rendle (14 Frankie Maund, 61), 8 Sam Lord, 9 Fletcher Poole, 10 Seb Campbell (capt), 11 Tashall Sandhu (15 Kian Burch, 61). Substitute: 23 Leo McCormick.
Goal: Rendle 26.
