Academy Report | Argyle Under-18s 2 Newport County 1

Argyle headed into this final game of the Youth Alliance League season knowing that the title was no longer within their reach.

Bournemouth's 3-1 victory over Swindon, two days previous, meant that the Cherries had secured the championship, following their victory over Argyle on the previous Saturday.

All of this meant that the Young Pilgrims’ rearranged game against Newport County was essentially for pride only, thus allowing manager Darren Way to give some game time to his younger players.

Goals from Will Jenkins Davies and Harry Shield, his first for the Under-18s, were enough to give the Pilgrims all three points.

It was all Argyle in the early stages, with Jenkins Davies and Kieran Edworthy going the closest to opening their account.

Argyle deservedly took the lead in the second minute of first half stoppage time when Jenkins Davies tapped home a deflected cross from Shield.

The home side continued to dominate after the break with Edworthy's effort blocked before Jenkins Davies hit the visitors’ post.

Against the run of play, goalkeeper Zak Baker showed fantastic reflexes to deny Newport a goal. Argyle’s response saw Edworthy's 12-yard header coming back off the bar before a second goal finally arrived on 88 minutes.

Shield celebrated scoring with a sweetly struck right-foot drive, although County’s response, pulling a goal back a minute later, meant a nervier ending to the game than anticipated.

Argyle now move on to the Merit League – a competition they won last season.

Argyle: Zak Baker, Harry Shield, Finley Wilkes, Harley Sneap, Cole Gibbings, Jensen Ireland (Toby Haley 74), Caleb Roberts, Will Jenkins-Davies, Kieran Edworthy, Henry Donovan (Teagan Finn 65), Jack Endacott. Substitutes not used: James Morley (gk).