Academy Report | Portsmouth 1 Argyle 1

Portsmouth Under-18s 1
Folarin 69

Argyle 1
Roberts 53

Darren Way's side gained a useful point from this trip to Hampshire which leaves them three points behind league leaders AFC Bournemouth with a game in hand.

Caleb Roberts’ goal early in the second half put the Pilgrims in front, but an equaliser by Sam Folarin 16 minutes later levelled, in what was a fairly equal afternoon all round.

Portsmouth is not one of Argyle's happier hunting grounds and they had already lost 2-0 to their hosts in the Youth Alliance League Cup.

The first half began with both sides going for goal, with Pompey the first to show and only a great challenge by skipper Oscar Halls preserved the status quo.

Argyle responded with Kieran Edworthy twice denied by last ditch challenges and it was the visitors who were pushing hard in the dying minutes of the half but Freddie Issaka's effort easily cleared the home crossbar.

The visitors enjoyed a strong start to the second period against a physical opponent and were rewarded with the opening goal on 53 minutes.

Issaka turned sharply in the area and his shot cannoned down off the bar. It may have been that the shot was over the line, but Roberts made sure by running in and heading home from close range.

Argyle came close to a second goal when Roberts laid on a chance for Edworthy but the home goalkeeper made a great save to keep out his low drive.

Pompey were level on 69 minutes, with Sam Folarin heading in following a smart cross by Harvey Laidlaw.

Argyle rallied, with Issaka having a shot saved, and a late Jack Endacott throw-in causing havoc in the home box, but the winning goal would not come.

Argyle: Zak Baker, Lewis Colwell, Cole Gibbings, Finley Wilkes, Oscar Halls (capt), Jack Matthews, Caleb Roberts, Will Jenkins Davies, Kieran Edworthy (Henry Donovan 72), Freddie Issaka, Jack Endacott. Substitutes not used: Jack Flower (gk), Cole Fisher, Jensen Ireland.