Academy Report | Bournemouth 3 Argyle 2

Argyle’s Under-18s lost their penultimate game of the Youth Alliance League season, and now face a wait to see if they are able to win the title this season.

Bournemouth’s 3-2 win over Darren Way’s Young Pilgrims lifted the Cherries above Argyle and into top spot, with just one game remaining.

Daniel Adu-Adjei gave Bournemouth a lead after just 14 seconds, before Will Jenkins Davies scored goals at each end. He tucked away a penalty, before an own goal put Bournemouth back in the lead.

A goal early in the second half from the hosts extended the lead to 3-1, but Caleb Roberts gave Argyle a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining. Argyle threw everything at Bournemouth, but could not find that precious equaliser.

The young Greens must now rely on Swindon Town gaining at least a point when the Robins travel to Bournemouth’s Canford Park Arena this coming Tuesday.

Should Bournemouth slip up, Argyle could clinch the league with a win over Newport County on Thursday.

Argyle could not have foreseen going behind so early in Bournemouth, with the direct start by the Cherries catching Argyle, with Adu-Adjei getting through the middle and clipping home.

Argyle gathered their thoughts and came back at their hosts to level the scores on seven minutes with Jenkins Davies converting a penalty after a foul on Freddie Issaka.

Buoyed by the goal, Argyle came at the Cherries with Jack Endacott hitting the side netting but disaster struck on 17 minutes when Jenkins Davies’ attempt to clear a corner with his head flew past Zak Baker for an own goal.

Jenkins Davies continued to be in the thick of things, first having a chance laid on by Issaka, then whipping in a corner that caused havoc, but which Bournemouth survived.

Argyle began the second period on the front foot, and a fine run by Harley Sneap was only ended by a foul on the edge of the Cherries box. Jenkins Davies’ free-kick cannoned off the defensive wall.

A great run by Issaka saw him set up substitute, and fellow Wales Under-17 international, Joe Hatch, but the home goalkeeper made a good save to stop the ball on the line.

Unfortunately for Argyle, it was the home side who were to find the back of the Argyle net with their first second-half attack of any substance, to leave Argyle with 28 minutes to salvage the game.

Roberts attempted to do just that when he got the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a fine left-foot shot that flew into the top corner.

It was all Argyle from then on, but they could not find a way through. In the end, Baker was forced into a brilliant save from a Bournemouth breakaway as the Pilgrims understandably left gaps at the back.

Oscar Halls was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card, but Argyle still fashioned a late chance from a free-kick. Baker ventured forward for it, but Bournemouth stood firm, and now have the division in their hands.

We will all be Swindon fans on Tuesday…

Argyle: Zak Baker, Lewis Colwell (Joe Hatch 53), Cole Gibbings, Harley Sneap, Oscar Halls (c), Finley Wilkes, Caleb Roberts, Will Jenkins-Davies, Kieran Edworthy (Henry Donovan 80), Freddie Issaka, Jack Endacott. Substitutes not used: Cole Fisher, Harry Shield, Jack Flower (gk).