Academy Report | Argyle 3 Portsmouth 2
Argyle's youngsters kept their EFL Youth Alliance League title hopes alive with a thrilling comeback victory at Harper's Park against a Portsmouth side who began the day at joint leaders.
Skipper Oscar Halls gave Argyle a first half lead but two second half goals from the visitors looked to have taken the game away from Darren Way's youngsters, until Harley Sneap and Cole Gibbings both struck in the final eight minutes.
Argyle began well and only a fine save by the visiting goalkeeper repelled Will Jenkins Davies' fierce free kick on seven minutes.
The young Pilgrims could count themselves unlucky when a deflection took another effort onto the Pompey crossbar, but they were to finally take the lead on 27 minutes.
Another Jenkins Davies free kick, this time a cross, found the head of Halls, who directed past the Pompey 'keeper.
Having worked so hard for an advantage, Argyle's lead only lasted two minutes, with the visitors drawing level just before the half hour.
Undettered, the Greens came back at their visitors and only a foul, on the edge of the area, prevented Freddie Issaka from racing through. Later, Kieran Edworthy's fine cross found the run of Jack Endacott, but he failed to make a firm contact and the chance was gone.
Argyle were indebted to 'keeper Zak Baker for a magnificent save on the hour and a minute later Jenkins Davies and Issaka combined to almost break through a determined Portsmouth defence.
With the clock ticking down, the crossbar came to the visitors' rescue for the second time in the game, when Issaka's brilliant run from the half-way line ended with his shot crashing against the woodwork. As is often the way in football, shortly after this relief, the Hampshire side went 2-1 in front.
However, the Greens would not be denied, and it was no more than Argyle deserved when Harley Sneap equalised on 82 minutes, once again converting a pinpoint Jenkins Davies delivery.
With just five minutes left on the clock, the Greens secured a sweet victory from behind, with defenders Halls and Gibbings combining, the latter converting the winner in style.
Argyle: Zak Baker (gk), Lewis Colwell, Cole Gibbings, Finley Wilkes, Oscar Halls (capt), Harley Sneap, Will Jenkins Davies, Caleb Roberts, Kieran Edworthy, Freddie Issaka, Jack Endacott. Substitutes: Joe Hatch, Henry Donovan, Harry Shield, Jack Flower (gk).