Lowry and Sullivan on FA Youth Cup exit

Argyle Under-18s exited the FA Youth Cup in the quarter-final stage on Friday night, losing by three goals to a strong Aston Villa side at Villa Park.

After falling behind minutes before the half-time whistle, the home side added two goals in the second half to pull away from the Greens, setting up a semi-final tie with Manchester United.

Head Coach Jamie Lowry was disappointed with the result and the end of this season’s FA Youth Cup run, but his pride in his side was the key emotion after the game.

“I’m disappointed to lose, as always. I don't like losing,” Lowry told Argyle TV. “To come away to Villa Park, with only eight scholars available for the squad, the rest being under-16s and two under-15s, was always a difficult task, but they gave everything. They left it all out there.

“I'm so proud of them. I’ve known the boys coming through the Academy for the last five or six years, so to see them playing in such an iconic venue, and against such an iconic side, is a proud moment for myself and them. 

“We had a game plan, and it was probably working, to be fair. We nullified their threats and were comfortable enough to not worry about changing shape or having to change too much. Then, a couple of minutes before half-time, we let them score. We didn’t defend down the left-hand side well enough, it was too easy for them to come inside, worked a shot, and then a little rebound and deflection [helps them]. 

“I think that's the difference: key moments. In terms of our learning, it would have been a different team talk for us, and probably for them as well if it was 0-0 at half-time.

“I said to them before the game, this is something that all the staff are jealous of. It's something they'll talk about for the rest of their lives, about this moment and this occasion. It’s something to take forever.

“That’s the journey as well: from Carlisle to Lincoln to Everton. It's been an incredible journey and experience for the lads. We’re so proud of them, the club are proud of them. They've backed us superbly and we're very grateful for everything.”

Captain Joel Sullivan’s goal against Lincoln Town may have been his favourite moment of his FA Youth Cup campaign this season, but now, nothing will top leading his teammates out at Villa Park.

He told Argyle TV: “Obviously, the result tonight is a little bit disappointing, but we can only be proud of ourselves. The run we've gone on from beating Carlisle, Lincoln, then Everton, and then playing here. We can only be proud.

“Playing here at Villa Park… it's an unbelievable stadium just looking around. We knew their quality coming into the game, and had to give them that respect. We knew what our strengths were, and that was mentality, aggression, wanting to fight, making the game tough and scrappy, and that's what we tried to do, but unfortunately, it just wasn't enough on the night. 

“Being able to captain the lads out at Villa Park and the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup is something that I'll remember for my whole life. It was an unbelievable experience to play here and was an unbelievable pitch, amazing facilities and a great stadium. I loved every second of it.”