Portsmouth U18 vs Plymouth Argyle U18

Tue 25th Mar

Kick-offTBC

PRT Portsmouth

PLY Argyle

Argyle Under-18s will look to win back-to-back games in the Youth Alliance League South on Tuesday when they face Portsmouth away from home.

Goals from Fletcher Poole and Sam Lord handed the Greens victory on Saturday morning in the Devon Derby against Exeter City. Now, they have an important midweek tie which could help progress them further in the league table as the season nears its end.

After losing by a single goal in the Youth Alliance Cup in early December, Argyle bounced back and claimed three points against Pompey in league play just a few days before Christmas, thanks to two first-half goals from Jared Rendle and Jensen Ireland.

Head Coach Jamie Lowry believes confidence from victory over Exeter on the weekend can propel Argyle to victory, not only tomorrow, but for the final run-in to end the season over the upcoming weeks.

“The weekend was a really good performance in the Devon Derby,” Lowry said. “The boys must take a lot of confidence from it, and from dominating the game. In terms of the quick turnaround, it's really important that we've looked after the lads today (Monday) doing very light, and lots of, recovery.

“We need to save their legs so they’re ready to go again, after all of the tactical work. Portsmouth beat us early in this season, in the cup, but we actually played really well. It's probably one of our best performances this season.

“We had lots of chances but just didn't take them, and they got a penalty towards the end. However, performance-wise, there are lots of positives to take from it. We just need to be a bit more ruthless this time.

“For the run-in, it's really important to build on Saturday’s three points and use that momentum going forward.

“We have a lot of confidence going into Tuesday from how we played and our performance on Saturday, and the result. This is a perfect chance to use that and start building momentum between now and the end of the season, and go on a nice little run to finish off strong.

“The squad looks pretty similar. We're pretty young and will be similar to Saturday, really. There are lots of opportunities for young lads and the boys that have been playing to keep performing and playing well and go and get the right result.”

Argyle Under-18s suffered a 3-0 defeat away from home to Portsmouth on Tuesday afternoon in Youth Alliance League play.

Goals from Alfie Allan, Harry Clout and Tayo Singerr handed the south coast side the three points at home against a youthful Greens team.

Within a minute of the tie, Portsmouth had the lead. The hosts delivered a free-kick, from the left, into the area, which fell to Allan on the edge of the box. He fired the effort home through multiple bodies.

Despite plenty of efforts in front of goal in the opening 45 minutes, Argyle struggled to find a way back into the game.

The best chance in the first half came through a Cole Fisher free-kick from the edge of the 18-yard box. His shot was well struck but went straight into the hands of Conal McDermott in the hosts’ goal.

The second half started as it did in the first for Argyle. Within two minutes of the restart, Clout pounced onto a long pass over the retreating defence, cut onto his left and calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner of Leo McCormick’s goal.

The Greens nearly found a way back into the game through Fletcher Poole, but the forward had to watch his effort cannon off the post and out of play for a goal kick after the drive into the area.

Head Coach Jamie Lowry turned to his bench after the hour mark, bringing on Toby Maclean, Billy Devlin and Jovan Wamani, but the youthful trio were unable to help Argyle’s attacking needs, despite their strong defensive efforts.

As the game neared its end, Portsmouth scored a third, sealing the three points at home. Substitute Jermaine Osifo created space on the right and delivered a whipped ball towards the near post, which was met by a sliding Singerr and turned into the back of the net.

Argyle remain in fifth in the Youth Alliance League South following the result, whilst Portsmouth gain places in the middle of the table.

Argyle: 1 Leo McCormick, 2 Toby Haley (12 Toby Maclean), 3 Joe Mwaro (15 Jovan Wamani), 4 Harley Sneap, 5 Sam Hayman, 6 Joel Sullivan, 7 Cole Fisher, 8 Sam Lord, 9 Kian Burch (14 Billy Devlin), 10 Seb Campbell, 11 Fletcher Poole.