Under-18s v Newport County (A) | Preview

After four wins in four games this season, Darren Way’s Under-18s next challenge is their first venture into the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.

This Saturday morning, they take on Newport County, in the second round of a competition in which they received a bye through the first round.

Thus far this season, the Young Pilgrims have won their three league games – against Forest Green Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Exeter City – followed by a PDL Cup victory over Bournemouth last weekend.

Argyle beat the Cherries 4-1, in a performance that pleased Darren, but he is being careful not to get carried away at an early stage of the season.

“It was impressive, from start to finish,” he said. “There’s never a perfect game of football, but we were close to that. At times we could have passed the ball around a little bit better but the players, against Premier League opposition, did really well.

“Bournemouth are normally technical masters, and they play through the thirds well, but we denied them time and space, and scored some excellent goals.

“Results are breeding confidence, but sometimes success breeds complacency. We go to Newport on Saturday – a cup game, a must-win game – and we have to make sure that complacency doesn’t set in.

“The manner and the style in which we are playing, the players have to maintain those standards. The group have objectives and goals, and we want to make sure we achieve them.

“This group is capable of achieving that. They show so much cohesion, and there is a real sense of spirit and togetherness. It’s good for their experience to be in cup runs; the more cups you are in, the more games you play, the more experience you get.”

This weekend, the team will be without Freddie Issaka, who is away playing for Wales Under-19s in a pair of fixtures in Finland. Darren is delighted for Freddie’s development, and says the young forward is dealing well with everything coming his way.

Darren said: “It’s a great opportunity for Freddie, playing in different countries, playing international football.

“There’s a lot of things in Freddie’s development that he has had to deal with this year. He’s handled it really well. He trains with the first team every day, he’s made competitive appearances for them, and he’s in a good place. We’ve got to make sure, as a football club, we keep guiding him in the right way.”