Argyle's Under-18 Winners Reflect on Victory
The conclusion to Argyle Under-18s’ Youth Alliance League campaign could not have been more dramatic.
Going into the final game, against second-placed Swindon Town, leaders Argyle needed a draw or a win to clinch the title. A defeat, and Swindon would pip them to the crown.
Incredibly, the Robins went into a 4-1 lead, and looked likely to go on and win the game, but Argyle rallied, getting a goal back via Caleb Roberts, before Swindon had a player sent off.
Joel Sullivan pulled another goal back, and it looked as though the game – and the title - may get away from Jamie Lowry’s Pilgrims. However, another penalty was awarded, in the closing stages, and was converted by Roberts. The game finished 4-4, and Argyle were champions.
To celebrate the accomplishment, Argyle TV made a short, free-for-all video with footage from the game, including the trophy lift and celebrations. They also spoke to some of the key personnel involved, and we have taken some choice quotes, below.
Manager Jamie Lowry: “It feels really good. I’m super proud of the players, to achieve what they have done this season.
“It’s something we set out to achieve at the start of the season – and they’ve done that.”
Coach James Bradley, who won the Youth Alliance League as a player at Argyle in 2015: “It doesn’t feel like nine years ago; it’s gone very quickly. I think it is my journey epitomised really, in terms of coming through the Academy, having that success as a player, and now as a coach as well, seeing it from both sides.
“As a player you just focus on the games, and as a coach you see the bigger picture slightly. We also see the journey that these players have been on to get to this point as well.
“It’s a funny journey, actually, because Jamie and I started coaching together when we were Under-12s coaches together, and we took the current second-year group when they were under-12s. They’ve mirrored Jamie and I’s pathway, as well.
“Seeing that has been fantastic. Helping them along the way has been brilliant. It’s topped off a really good journey for everyone involved. I’m really fortunate to be a small part of that.”
Lewis Colwill, the Under-18s captain, reflected on last season, when Argyle found themselves in a similar situation, losing to eventual champions Bournemouth in the penultimate game.
He said: “[Last year], we didn’t really handle the situation, the pressure, as we should have. Coming into Saturday’s game we said: ‘we know what happened last year, we need to deal with situations in the right manner; it’s just another game’.
“When [Swindon’s] third goal went in, I still had the belief. When the fourth goal went in, that was challenging, because it felt like we started well and then to concede that fourth one so early on, it really set us back.
“I waved my arms about, I shouted at the team, kept them going and we got what we deserved. When our second goal went in, and then the third, and the red card, we had the faith.”
“I was nervous,” said penalty hero Caleb Roberts. “I knew in my head when I was going to put it, before the penalty was even given. It takes the edge off a bit as I am not on the spot, deciding. I thought: ‘I’m going down the middle. If he saves it, he saves it.’
“I remember being handed the ball and thinking: ‘If I score this, we win the league; it’s not just a penalty’. It was amazing to score, and amazing to have the opportunity to score.
“Personally, and as a team, it is such a good achievement, especially being involved in the years before where it has been the exact same scenario, and we’ve come out second.”
Watch the full feature, below.
