Cheltenham Under-18s 0 Argyle 5

ARGYLE’s youngsters took their cup form into the EFL Youth Alliance League as they ended a run of six league defeats with a comprehensive victory at Quat Goose Lane.

Early goals from Aaron Goulty and Matt Ward settled the Pilgrims, with Goulty doubling his personal tally as the half-time whistled loomed. Two goals in the final quarter of an hour by  Billy Craske sealed the scoreline for the Greens.

With most of the more experienced players taking part in the previous evening’s Peninsula League game at Tavistock, it was left to a young defence to ably deal with anything that the home side could throw at them.

Harry Townsend and Ollie Tomlinson have just agreed to become apprentices next year and they were joined by Isaac Burden, Ruben Collum, Adam Randell and Jude Boyd in a very young line-up.

“The result was most pleasing and not just for scoring five goals,” said Academy Director Kevin Hodges, “but for keeping our first clean sheet for a long time in both the Peninsula and the Youth Alliance.”

Argyle's first goal came on four minutes when, after a great passage of play down the right flank, Craske's cross found Goulty timing his run to the near post to glance his header into the home goal.

It was 2-0 seven minutes later as Goulty linked up well with Ward for the latter to supply a cool finish past the home goalkeeper.

Cheltenham responded with a spell of pressure but Townsend pulled off a couple of good saves and with seven minutes of the half remaining Boyd intercepted a pass then saw his shot blocked, but Goulty followed up to notch his second of the game.

Argyle began the second half in dominant mood with Ward having a free-kick well saved, then seeing his rasping drive come back off the crossbar.

The game was over as a contest 16 minutes from time when Craske was sent tumbling in the area and although Goulty's penalty was saved, it was Craske who followed up to ram home the loose ball.

Craske then completed the scoring after good work from Randell, set him up to fire home from six yards.

Argyle: Harry Townsend, Ollie Tomlinson, Andrew Burn, Isaac Burden, Ruben Collum (Harry Hodges 83), Adam Randell, Tom Purrington, Matt Ward (Rio Garside 78), Billy Craske, Jude Boyd (Jacob Evans 65), Aaron Goulty. Substitutes (not used): Max Childs, Kiaidi Lolos.