Report | Cheltenham Under-18s 2 Argyle 4

Argyle Under-18s began their Youth Alliance campaign with a 4-2 win away to Cheltenham Town on a scorching Saturday morning in Gloucestershire.

Two goals from Will Jenkins-Davies, one from substitute Joe Hatch and a late goal from Cole Gibbings got the job done for Darren Way’s team.

The hot conditions did nothing to take the heat off of the game, though, as the two sides played an open game at a good tempo throughout.

Argyle had the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Cheltenham who had the best chance of the opening quarter of the game.

Jay Simpson forced a brilliant save from Zak Baker, who dived full length to his right to tip a goal-bound effort around the post.

Argyle came very close to opening the scoring, as Caleb Roberts met a low cross only to see his side-footed shot go just wide, but the Pilgrims soon did go in front, in extraordinary circumstances.

Only Will Jenkins-Davies can tell you if he was going for goal when he launched a ball from 40 yards or so out, on the right touchline, but whatever the intention, the ball sailed over Robins goalkeeper Franks to find the net.

Argyle’s lead lasted barely a minute, with Fin Jenner racing through to slot home the equaliser before The Greens could even register their advantage.

Argyle shrugged off the home side's mini-revival to restore their lead on 44 minutes, as Freddie Issaka's cross found Jenkins-Davies notching his second of the game.

Joe Hatch came on for the second half, and quickly made his mark, getting beyond Cheltenham’s defence and calmly rolling the ball under Franks as the goalkeeper raced out.

Once again, though, Cheltenham reacted sharply, and the lively Simpson turned well inside the area and coolly slotted into the bottom corner to reduce Argyle’s lead to 3-2, with the game still just an hour old.

Argyle make sure of the points with a fourth goal in stoppage time. Jenkins-Davies free kick was headed back across goal for Cole Gibbings to tap the ball home.

Argyle: Zak Baker, Trialist (Jensen Ireland), Cole Gibbings, Jeff Forkuo, Oscar Halls, Jack Matthews, Harley Sneap (Finley Wilkes), Will Jenkins-Davies, Caleb Roberts, Freddie Issaka, Henry Donovan (Joe Hatch). Substitute not used: Matt Martin (gk).