Argyle’s Under-18s shared the points with Oxford United when they drew in the Youth Alliance League on Saturday morning.
Jamie Lowry made two changes to the team that lost against Portsmouth in the Youth Alliance Cup last weekend. Jensen Ireland and Fin Wilkes missed out with Henry Donovan and Sam Lord coming into the side to take their places.
With this change also came a tweak in formation; Lowry ditched the back three he had opted for in recent weeks and reverted to a four-at-the-back system, a formation he had seen much success with so far this season.
Both Caleb Roberts and Freddie Issaka were unavailable as they made up part of the first-team squad that won away at Swansea City.
The Greens had the chance to open the scoring early on in this game, a Lewis Colwell inswinger was inches away from being turned in at the far post by Donovan who had slid across in the box in an attempt to meet the cross.
The biggest threat on the day for Oxford came in the form of lively winger Kasway Burton; his first opportunity of the game came on 26 minutes when he sped down the line and drilled the ball just wide of the bottom-left corner from range.
It was a tale of wasted opportunities for the young Pilgrims. Cole Fisher could not find the target from a good position on the edge of the box after being teed up by Joe Hatch.
Half-time came and it was evident that there was not much to separate the two teams, both sides looked solid at the back and a threat on the break.
The Greens' biggest chance of the game came ten minutes into the second period when Hatch successfully recycled an overhit cross from Joel Sullivan, finding Josh Bernard in the box. The midfielder’s header cannoned off the top of the crossbar; with the keeper still rooted to the spot, had the effort been slightly lower, it would have been a goal.
This chance appeared to give Lowry’s side a lift, and they started to gain momentum and belief that they could penetrate the robust Oxford defence.
Hatch had a headed chance just moments later, Bernard turned provider and picked the striker out in a good position, Hatch's flicked effort narrowly clearing the crossbar.
Bernard thought he had scored when the ball left his boot minutes later, his effort hurtling towards the top-right corner. Fortunately for the hosts, central defender Tobias Brenan was on hand to make a crucial headed block on the line to keep the scoreline level.
There was more last-ditch defending from Oxford when Hatch had curled the ball around keeper Ajae Patel, Harrison Mole was on the line to turn the ball behind for a corner.
The game fizzled out as time went on with both teams seeming to tire as the 90 minutes drew to a close.
Sullivan ensured Argyle brought at least one point back to Devon when, in additional time, he made a brilliant block on the goal-line to deny the hosts a winner.
The Greens will be disappointed not to take all three points but will now turn all attentions to next Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Swindon Town.
With both teams fighting it out to be crowned champions of the Youth Alliance League it is sure to be a cracker.
Argyle: Dan Holman, Lewis Colwell (capt), Joel Sullivan, Cole Fisher (Toby Haley 87), Jack Matthews, Cole Gibbings, Sam Lord, Josh Bernard, Joe Hatch, Tegan Finn, Henry Donovan (Kieran Edworthy 65). Substitutes not used: Jensen Ireland, Lewis Thomas, Jack Flower.
