Academy Report | Gillingham 1 Argyle 0

Gillingham 1
Gdobe pen 78

Argyle 0

Argyle's Under-18 squad's tireless efforts went in vain as the Young Pilgrims were beaten 1-0 by Gillingham in the second round of the FA Youth Cup at MEMS Prestfield Stadium.

A late penalty from Joe Gbode was all that divided the sides, with Gillingham converting a spot kick in the 78th minute of the tie.

Throughout the first half, Gillingham had the better chances, but the game remained quite even, and it would come down to one error to determine who would score first.

Will Jenkins Davies frequently tested the Gills defence while skipper Oscar Halls made a terrific block to deny the home side an opening goal.

Argyle replied by forcing consecutive corners before a great save from Zak Baker and Halls’ intervention from the follow-up kept the scoreline level.

Perhaps the best Argyle chance came for Joe Hatch towards the end of the half, but he slipped at a vital time and the opportunity evaporated.

Argyle began the second period brightly, testing home goalkeeper Taite Holtam with efforts from Freddie Issaka and Jack Endacott.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Ronald Sithole was brought down in the area and Gdode, who played for Gillingham’s first team on the Saturday, scored the penalty.

Argyle surged forward in the closing minutes, but Gillingham held on to see the game out and reach the third round.

Argyle: Zak Baker, Cole Gibbings, Oscar Halls (c), Jack Matthews, Jack Endacott Cole Fisher (Finley Wilkes 67), Will Jenkins Davies, Caleb Roberts, Freddie Issaka, Kieran Edworthy (Henry Donovan 80), Joe Hatch (Lewis Colwell 80). Substitutes not used: James Morley (gk), Jenson Ireland, Joel Sullivan.