Argyle’s Under-18s lost 6-1 to Cheltenham Town in the opening match of the U18s Professional Development League Cup group stages on Tuesday. 

Despite taking the lead in the second minute through Harry Shields’ penalty, the Robins continued to find the back of the net for the rest of the match in front of their home crowd. 

Just minutes after Argyle took the lead, the game was already level again, when Harry Tustin’s effort avoided everyone in the box and flew into the back of Dan Holman’s goal. 

Tustin had his and Cheltenham’s second of the game after the half-an-hour mark before Cameron Walters headed home a corner to stretch the hosts’ advantage to 3-1 after 35 minutes. 

Seconds before the half-time whistle, Sopuru Obieri finished past Holman to score his only goal of the game and Cheltenham’s fourth. 

It was much of the same in the second half, but Argyle did hit the post twice through Shields and Cole Fisher. 

Fisher’s long-range free-kick effort cannoned off the outside of the post, as did Shields’ curling effort from the left wing, with both comfortably going out for a goal-kick. 

In the dying minutes of the game, a two-minute brace from Tom King meant the hosts walked away as 6-1 victors. 

Head Coach Jamie Lowry said: “Today was a complete opposite performance from Saturday. They didn't work hard, didn't compete, didn't run around, and conceded four appalling goals from set plays. The willingness to compete and the desire and attitude to run around was not there today and that's why we got punished.  

“It’s a good opportunity for the boys to have a bit of a reality check after Saturday, and to never get too high or too low when we win and lose. It’s super disappointing and frustrating but it’s another learning opportunity that if you don't run around and compete, let alone how good you are on the ball and stuff like that, it doesn't matter.” 

Under-18s captain Joel Sullivan said: “As a team, we take full responsibility for the performance today. We know that the standards at this football club are much higher than what we showed and that the result today is unacceptable. 

“We all know that we haven't had the start to the season that we would have wanted, so now it's our responsibility to improve and get results out of games. 

“We know that we have the quality within the team, with lots of us being involved in a successful season last year with the under-18s and our performance against Exeter on the weekend. Now it's about looking to build our confidence and consistency to start being successful on the pitch and making sure results like today never happen again.” 

The squad will look to bounce back next week in the South Youth Alliance League when they face Bromley at home on Wednesday, 4 September.