YOUTH: Argyle 4 Swindon Town 2
Oscar Massey's hat-trick fired Argyle's youngsters their first EFL Youth Alliance victory of 2021 on Tuesday.
The fixture was switched to the all-weather 3G pitch at the Manadon Sports Hub due to inclement weather affecting the young Pilgrims’ usual pitch at Bolitho Park.
It was sweet revenge for the under-18's, as their visitors had beaten them 3-1 in Wiltshire at the beginning of the month.
Argyle took a fifth minute lead after the Greens’ midfield won back possession to send Will Jenkins-Davies on the break, and his through ball put in Massey to calmly slot his shot across the visiting goalkeeper and inside the far post.
It was against the run of play that the Robins found themselves level, midway through the half, when a left wing cross was tapped home.
Argyle deservedly restored their lead five minutes before the break, when Charlie Miller's cross deceived the Swindon 'keeper, leaving Massey to pounce and head the ball firmly home.
The home side continued at a similar pace after the interval, but had to wait until the 65th minute to make it 3-1, as wing-back Oscar Rutherford arrived at the back post to slot a left wing cross home from six yards.
Massey completed his treble, 10 minutes from time, after finding space in the area to fire low past the 'keeper, before the visitors secured a consolation in the dying minutes of the game.
Argyle: Tyler Coombes, Oscar Rutherford, Ali Mansaray (Oscar Halls half-time), Ethan Mitchell, Brandon Pursall, Will Jenkins-Davies, Carlo Garside (Jeffery Forkuo 75), Charlie Miller, Angel Waruih (A Trialist 65), Rhys Shirley (Jamal Salawu half-time), Oscar Massey. Substitutes not used: James Morley, Jeremiah Medine.