Preview | Under-18s v AFC Wimbledon (A)

Argyle’s Under-18s have four games remaining of their season, but face their final away journey on Saturday when they head east to play AFC Wimbledon.  

The early start to head to the capital will then be followed by three home matches to conclude the season.  

Before the final quartet of games, Argyle sit second in the Merit League, four points behind leaders Leyton Orient, but with two games in hand. In short, the young Greens know that if they win all four remaining games, they will be champions of the division.  

Earlier in the season, Argyle won the Youth Alliance League, the precursor to the current division, and manager Jamie Lowry says that the lingering feeling from the last trophy lift could spur his team on to another.  

“I think that's what drove them, that feeling of adulation they got from winning the Youth Alliance League,” said Lowry. “We didn't start great [in the Merit League] but I think that was all the energy they put into it; we had to get going again. 

“The boys have done really well the last couple of weeks, hit that vein of form and are really together. We’re in a good place leading into the last final four games of the season. Now, they are back on the train. They've really bought into it and they're driving it as a team collectively, which is really impressive. To go and have that feeling again, win two leagues in one season, would be great.  

“That's what the boys set out to do, and it's in our hands now, with the games in hand we have and the form we've picked up. We're in control of our own destiny, so it's important that we take each game as it comes and really focus, starting on Saturday at Wimbledon to get the performance right, which obviously will then bring the result. 

“We're looking forward to the test. We played Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago in the under-17s where, unfortunately, they beat us. This will be a difficult test. They're physical, they're direct, and are competing at the top end of the league with us as well. 

“It's the last one we're going to have to get up for at like 5.30am to leave. We’re all buzzing with that. It’s a different challenge that we don't play most seasons, but it’s another good challenge for the boys.”