Match report for Plymouth Argyle U18 vs Bristol Rovers U18 on 26 Aug 17
KEVIN HODGES' young Pilgrimsside showed plenty of spirit as they came from behind to beat a useful, and more physically advanced, Rovers side at Langsford Park.
This was Argyle's second victory, in their four games to date, and is possibly the most pleasing for the Argyle coaches as several of the young players came out of the game with credit.
None more than striker Rubin Wilson who hit both Argyle's goals after Lucas Tomlinson had fired the Gas ahead, from close range, after just 15 minutes.
The visitors looked dangerous coming forward but thankfully for Argyle they lacked that final ball but credit must go to the home defence who fought hard to keep their opponents at bay.
Argyle came back strongly in the latter stages of the first half and were level on 37 minutes when Wilson fired home, low, from 12 yards after the Rovers defence had failed to clear their lines.
Rio Garside then saw his snap effort well saved by Liam Armstrong before the Greens took the lead well into first half stoppage time.
A cracking passing movement tore open the visitors' defence for Wilson to strike a low drive that took a deflection to wrong-foot Armstrong.
Rovers came out strongly in the second half but once again Argyle grew in strength as the half wore on with Wilson heading over before he set up Mani Skett to send in a cross that found Matt Ward firing over the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Rovers owed a vote of thanks to Armstrong who pulled out two fine saves to twice turn over Michael Peck's fine 25-yard drives.
Rovers almost snatched a point, in the dying moments, as substitute Jack Sell let fly from 20 yards only to see his effort fly narrowly wide of Harry Townsend's goal.
Argyle: Harry Townsend, Reuben Collum (Ryan Law 55), Ollie Tomlinson, Harry Downing, Rio Garside (Billy Craske 66), Adam Randell, Mani Skett (Aaron Goulty 85), Michael Peck, Matt Ward, Rubin Wilson (Luke Jephcott 73).