Argyle Under-18s suffered a late defeat to Gillingham in EFL Youth Alliance League South play on Saturday morning.
Louie Dayal’s brace and a last-minute strike from Zac Whitelock handed the hosts three points, despite goals from Jovan Wamani and Joe Mwaro bringing the Greens back into the game just before half-time.
Argyle started the game brightly, despite early pressure from the hosts. Frankie Maund’s strike and a Wamani cross-turn-shot had the Gillingham defensive line on their toes, but neither could cause major problems in front of goal.
For the remainder of the opening half an hour, both sides caused problems for the other, with both goalkeepers being forced into action. Jack Flower and the Argyle defence did well to get bodies in front of shots and stop any attacking threats, but in the 29th minute, they gave away a penalty.
Dayal stepped up and converted from the spot, and 10 minutes later Gillingham doubled their lead. After picking off a loose pass out from the back, the hosts played into Dayal, who then fired his effort across goal and into the far corner.
Despite seeming out of the game, Argyle fought back in the remaining five minutes of the half. A corner was won and delivered by Seb Campbell to the back post, finding an open Wamani to flick into the back of the net.
Just two minutes later, in the 44th minute, the game was level. Mwaro picked up the ball, in a similar position to the previous goal, and fired home.
The second half was much the same as the first, with all the action coming in the latter stages and coming in very quick waves. Argyle came close through substitute James Sharpe, but it wasn’t enough to swing the game in the Greens’ favour.
Two minutes before full-time, Gillingham took the lead. Argyle had luck on their side earlier in the game with a free-kick hitting the post and bouncing out of play for a goal kick from the hosts, but this time it fell to them.
Dayal knocked the ball on into an area for Whitelock to shoot, calmly finding the back of the net before rearing off in celebration, as Gillingham claimed the points.
Head Coach Jamie Lowry said: “ We started the game really well on Saturday and should have found the back of the net in the first 15 minutes, but, despite the result, I’m pleased with the general performance. It feels like it's a step in the right direction.
“Even though we went two goals down, we came back, made it 2-2, and then continued to create chances, which was pleasing. We now need to continue working on finding a way to win football games and cross the line.
“We worked so hard and played some nice stuff, but then conceded late in the game. Those are the areas we need to continue working on. The boys were brave and passed the ball well, so there are lots of positives to take away, as we move on to our cup game against Bournemouth on Saturday.”
Argyle: 1 Jack Flower, 2 Joe Mwaro (capt), 3 Jovan Wamani, 4 Sam Lord, 5 Sam Hayman, 6 Toby Haley, 7 Tashall Sandhu, 8 Seb Campbell, 9 Frankie Maund, 10 Kian Burch (16 James Sharpe, 70), 11 Fletcher Poole. Substitutes: 23 Leo McCormick (gk), 12 Liam Uren, 14 Billy Devlin, 15 Joel Tolcher.
