Under-18s Report | Exeter City 0-2 Argyle
Argyle Under-18s returned to Youth Alliance League South action with an important three points on Saturday, beating Exeter City 2-0 away from home.
Goals from Fletcher Poole and Sam Lord, once in each half, secured the victory in the Devon Derby in Exeter.
A dominant first-half performance saw the Greens create chance upon chance in front of the hosts’ goal but, just after the half-hour mark, it was advantage Pilgrims.
Poole picked up the ball, drove towards the goal, beating two Grecians on the way, and slotted home into the far corner past Dylan Shanahan.
The second half continued much like the first, with Argyle creating chances, moving the ball and looking the much more likely side to grab the next, and decisive, goal.
Seb Campbell came close with a long-range left-footed effort, after cutting back from his right, but his shot dribbled wide to the outside of the post.
The forward pressure continued and in the final minutes of the game, all the Greens’ efforts came to fruition. Attacking play from Cole Fisher and Jared Rendle down the left saw the latter’s cross turned in acrobatically by Lord, handing Argyle an important victory up the A38.
The win, and three points, moves the Greens up the Southern table and into fifth, ahead of Swindon Town, on goal difference.
Head Coach Jamie Lowry said: “The boys were really good today. We had lots of the ball and tested them a little bit, but it would’ve been nice to get more clearcut chances on goal and try to wear their keeper down a bit more.
“On the flip side, they didn't have a shot on goal in the whole game, so it just shows how much control we had of the ball. Overall, a really pleasing performance from the boys. They were dominant, in control and looked strong. Hopefully, we can keep that going on Tuesday away at Portsmouth.”
Argyle: 1 Dan Holman, 2 Toby Haley, 3 Joe Mwaro, 4 Seb Campbell, 5 Sam Hayman, 6 Joel Sullivan (capt), 7 Cole Fisher, 8 Sam Lord, 9 Kian Burch, 11 Fletcher Poole (16 Frankie Maund, 73), 15 Jared Rendle. Substitutes: 23 Leo McCormick, 12 Toby MacLean, 14 Billy Devlin.
