Academy Preview | Bournemouth (A)

Argyle Under-18s head to Bournemouth on Saturday morning in the knowledge that a win would secure the Youth Alliance League title.

Both Argyle and the Cherries have two games remaining in the league season, and the Greens head into this weekend a point ahead of their south coast rivals. This means that a victory would send Argyle four points with only three left to play for.

A draw would leave the gap the same heading into the final games, while a Bournemouth win would give then a two-point lead going into their final game, when they play Swindon Town, on Tuesday. Argyle’s last encounter is against Newport County two days later.

The situation is eerily similar to last season, when the two sides met at the conclusion of the league. That game finished 2-2, crowning Bournemouth as champions, so under-18s boss Darren Way is keen to avoid history repeating.

“It’s almost identical to the situation we found ourselves in last year,” he told Argyle TV.

“You can tell the players are excited and know the importance of the game. Training has been good, with a lot of intensity. Everyone is focused on making sure we go there and perform.”

When the two sides met earlier in this campaign, the game finished 0-0. Both Argyle and Bournemouth have qualified for the next stage of the season, the Merit League, by virtue of a guaranteed place in the top five.

Way is clearly content with his team’s development, however this season may conclude, but he says that his players, particularly those who were part of last season’s team who were so narrowly denied at this stage, are keen to add some silverware at this early stage of their burgeoning careers.  

“Subconsciously there is something in their mind, an eagerness to change that from last year,” he said. “They won’t get another chance. Not many players get the opportunity to win leagues and win cups.

“The players playing within the team, and continuing their individual development, has gone really well.

“I expect a tight game. You have to make sure you have 100% discipline in your role within the structure of the team. Both teams are competitive and have been coached in the same style of play. We’ll wait and see who is the team that comes out on top. It is normally the team that performs well on the day and that’s what we are focusing on.”