Academy Report | Argyle 1 Bristol Rovers 1

A Joe Hatch goal was not enough to claim victory for Argyle Under-18s against Bristol Rovers, as the visits grabbed a point with an equaliser shortly after Wales Youth International Hatch had opened the scoring.

Argyle manager Darren Way was once again forced to rely on a very young squad for this Alliance League game at the Millennium Fields, Plymouth, with several of his squad travelling to the first team’s game at Lincoln City.

Argyle started well, forcing two corners before the Gas has their first real attack, which was extinguished by Jack Endacott's intervention.

Endacott then tried his luck from distance but was wide of the mark before Hatch was denied by the visiting goalkeeper.

The best chance of the half came on 38 minutes when more good work by Endacott saw Hatch failed to convert his cross.

The young Pilgrims had a strong start to the second period with Kieran Edworthy unlucky with a fierce drive and strike partner Hatch causing the Gas defence problems Endacott then joined the party only to see his effort deflected wide for a corner.

Argyle were determined to keep the pressure on Rovers, with Caleb Roberts fine individual run going unrewarded.

A goal had to come, and it did on 71 minutes as Hatch ran at the Rovers defence before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing in style.

Celebrations were cut short, however, as Rovers were level inside two minutes and although Argyle threw caution to the wind they could not find a way to unlock the Gas defence again.

Argyle: Zak Baker, Jensen Ireland, Joel Sullivan, Jack Matthews, Cole Gibbings, Cole Fisher, Lewis Colwell, Caleb Roberts, Kieran Edworthy (Teagan Finn 82), Joe Hatch, Jack Endacott. Substitutes not used: Dan Holman (gk), Jadore Lawson, Will Sullivan, Gene Price.