Under-18s Report | Oxford United 3-1 Argyle
Argyle Under-18s suffered defeat on Saturday in the Youth Alliance League for the first time since September, losing 3-1 to Oxford United.
Kian Burch’s second-half header brought Argyle back into the game in Oxfordshire after the hosts took the lead through Lew Snowden. However, a Jack Lee penalty and finish from Mubarak Abolade within five minutes of each other handed the U’s the three points.
The Greens started on the front foot and created shooting opportunities for Billy Devlin, but the midfielder was unable to find the back of the net, and the game was level at the half-time break.
Four minutes after the restart, Snowden’s 20th goal of the season gave the hosts the advantage. Just after the hour mark, Argyle got back into the game through Burch’s header.
Things soon turned sour, however. Lee was brought down in the Argyle area by a trailing defender and converted from the spot, giving Oxford the lead for the second time in the game.
Abolade’s effort five minutes later doubled Oxford’s advantage, with the hosts holding on until the full-time whistle to claim all three points and move ahead of Argyle in the league table.
Head Coach Jamie Lowry said: “I thought we started really well but didn’t take our opportunities, which probably gave Oxford a bit of hope and belief. After that, we didn’t work hard enough to get on the ball or defend. We got outrun and outfought by Oxford which was really disappointing.
“We’ve had a great run of performances across 11 games but this wasn’t up to our standards. We didn’t have the hunger or desire to go above and beyond, and it showed on the day.
“In and out of possession, it wasn’t acceptable from what we ask of them. It might be a bit of a learning curve for some of the lads, and we have a great chance to bounce back in our next few games and we can right our wrongs.”
Argyle: 40 Dan Holman, 2 Tom Haley, 3 Joe Mwaro, 4 Harley Sneap, 5 Jensen Ireland (capt), 6 Sam Hayman, 7 Jared Rendle, 8 Billy Devlin, 9 Kian Burch, 10 Fletcher Poole, 11 Harry Shield. Substitutes: 23 Jack Flower (gk) , 12 Jovan Wamani, 14 Toby Maclean, 15 Joel Tolcher, 16 Frankie Maund.