Under-18s Report | Bristol City 3 Argyle 2

Argyle Under-18s produced a fine performance in defeat against Bristol City, losing by the odd goal in five.

City took an early lead, but Argyle responded via Caleb Roberts’ penalty to level the scores minutes later. City regained their lead in first-half injury time, and went further ahead with 20 minutes to go. Although Oscar Halls got one back for the Pilgrims, it was not quite enough.

Defeat means Argyle have lost both their games in the PDL Cup, but will have learned a lot from this encounter.

Darren Way had a young squad travelling to Bristol, with several of his regulars missing, including Will Jenkins Davies who was involved with the first team.

Argyle were unfortunate to fall behind on six minutes as City scored with a shot that was deflected past goalkeeper Zak Baker.

The young Pilgrims required just three minutes to restore parity as Caleb Roberts coolly slotted home from the penalty spot.

This was a very open game, with Argyle creating the better chances. Freddie Issaka forced a fine save from the Robins goalkeeper, who repeated the act to deny Kieran Edworthy shortly afterwards.

Unfortunately for Argyle it was their Category Two hosts who were to net again, in the second minute of added time, to go in at the break with a slender advantage.

Argyle continued to push forward in the second period to seek an equaliser, but City showed their strength to not only stay in front, but increase their advantage. A counter-attack on 72 minutes saw the Robins make it 3-1.

This young Argyle side did not let their heads drop and they were back in with a shout on 85 minutes as they narrowed the deficit to just one goal. A precise corner found skipper Oscar Halls leaping high to head the ball into the back of the Robins' net to set up a nervous finish for the home side, but City were to see it out.

Argyle: Zak Baker, Jensen Ireland, Cole Gibbings, Jack Matthews, Oscar Halls (c), Finley Wilkes, Freddie Issaka, Caleb Roberts, Kieran Edworthy, Henry Donovan, Jack Endacott. Substitutes: Cole Fisher, James Morley (gk), Joel Sullivan, Jadore Lawson.