Argyle 2 Launceston 1
ARGYLE secured a narrow victory over Launceston in the Carlsberg South-West Peninsula League on Tuesday evening at Coach Road.
A particularly young Pilgrim outfit controlled much of the game and deservedly led 2-0 before the visitors hit back to set up a slightly tense finish, but Argyle withstood a spell of pressure to bag all three points.
The first chance of the evening arrived on seven minutes after a succession of Argyle corners that caused Launceston some problems. It was a warning the visitors failed to heed and Andrew Burn rose to head in his first goal of the season on 13 minutes.
The set-piece theme continued with an Isaac Burdon header well saved, although the Clarets responded with two decent efforts that flashed narrowly wide.
Argyle took advantage of their reprieve to double the lead just past the half-hour, when a clever pass from Rio Garside picked out Rhys Shirley for a calm finish and his first goal in the Peninsula League.
The Pilgrims lacked the same potency in their passing after the break but still created some decent openings, many of which were repelled by a fine display from the Launceston goalkeeper, denying Aaron Goulty and Kieran Dyer with his two best saves.
Launceston changed the dynamic with a goal on 79 minutes scored from the right channel and Argyle had to stay compact in defence to weather the late storm.
Argyle: Tyler Coombes; Kieran Dyer, Reuben Collum, Jude Boyd, Andrew Burn, Isaac Burdon, Aaron Goulty, Ben Musslewhite, Rubin Wilson, Rio Garside, Rhys Shirley (Scott Crocker 80). Substitutes (not used): Finley Craske.