Plymouth Parkway 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle
Ben Waine and Ryan Hardie proved the difference as Steven Schumacher’s men clinched a second victory of pre-season against Plymouth Parkway.
Argyle started the game in comfortable fashion, passing the ball around with ease on a far from ideal surface at Bolitho Park.
Lewis Gibson and Julio Pleguezuelo looked particularly assured with the two summer signings assuming a partnership at the heart of Argyle’s defence.
That Greens early possession paid off after five minutes with Academy talent Freddie Issaka resuming his early pre-season form. He cut in from the left and played Waine through with a delightful, chipped pass, which the Kiwi duly lashed home at the near post.
Tyreik Wright then followed Issaka’s lead as he combined well with namesake Callum on the right, with the former beating his man and lifting a cross into the box which was cleared for a corner by the Parkway defence.
Issaka then continued his trademark from the Hearts game in Marbella cutting in from the left and beating several opposition players, but on this occasion saw his shot blocked.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden looked bright again at right-back and delivered from that side, but midfielder Matt Butcher couldn’t connect cleanly with his volley and saw it fall comfortably into Cory Harvey’s arms.
Parkway looked resolute in defence and then had their first real chance of the game with Joe Belsten delivering a free kick from the left which flashed across the goal and forward Jack Crago just couldn’t reach.
Alfie Moulden followed that with a fizzing strike from distance which Callum Burton comfortably gathered for his first proper save of the game.
The first half then quietly drifted to a close with the only chances of note being long range strikes from Pleguezuelo and Callum Wright which were both comfortably held by Harvey in the Parkway goal.
Steven Schumacher made nine changes at the break with Burton and Issaka the only two players to remain on the pitch following the first 45 minutes.
Rio Garside had the first chance as play resumed, striking a free kick from 30 yards that Burton pushed clear. Will Jenkins Davies then immediately had a chance for Argyle as substitute Mickel Miller broke on the left and crossed for the former, but his header bobbled wide of the target.
Crago then should have scored for the hosts after he was played through one on one by Ryan Lane but could only fire his strike straight at Burton.
Miller, having switched wings with Jack Endacott, was the instigator of another chance for Argyle cutting in and lashing a shot towards goal that was well blocked by the home defence.
Adam Randell shot from range and then moments later Hardie doubled Argyle’s lead. The frontman saw two strikes blocked by Harvey, but the ball fell to him again and he guided a beautiful chip over the keeper into the far corner.
A disjointed second half concluded with half chances for both sides as Argyle ran out comfortable winners against the non-league side in their second outing of pre-season.
Argyle: 25 Callum Burton, 4 Jordan Houghton, 5 Julio Pleguezuelo, 7 Matt Butcher, 11 Callum Wright, 17 Lewis Gibson 19 Tyreik Wright, 23 Ben Waine, 24 Saxon Earley, 29 Kaine Kesler-Hayden, 35 Freddie Issaka.
Substitutes: 33 Zak Baker (gk), 6 Dan Scarr, 8 Joe Edwards, 9 Ryan Hardie, 14 Mickel Miller, 20 Adam Randell, 22 Henry Donovan, 30 Jack Endacott, 31 Oscar Halls, 32 Will Jenkins Davies, 34 Caleb Roberts.