Report | Exeter City under-18s 2-1 Argyle
Argyle's opening game the inaugural under-18 Professional Development League Cup got off to a tough start as Exeter City came from a goal behind to win 2-1 at the Cliff Hill training ground.
Darren Way's side went into the game having won their previous three matches, in league and cup, but couldn’t make it four, despite Finley Wilkes’ first half goal.
Argyle started well with Freddie Issaka at the heart of a lot of what the Greens did well.
He found Will Jenkins Davies with a low cross and the Welsh defender saw his first effort saved, before firing the rebound over the top.
The Greens were on top, Jenkins Davies then supplied a right-wing cross that just failed to find the onrushing Joe Hatch, but it was a sign of things to come.
19 minutes in and Argyle took the lead, the Exeter defence failed to clear Issaka's cross for midfielder Finley Wilkes was there to convert the loose ball.
The lead was deserved, but the hosts continued to carry a threat,
They almost hit back immediately, but Jack Matthews got back and cleared the ball off his own goal-line.
Exeter were finding their feet and only a great save from Zak Baker preserved his side’s first half lead.
The home revival was short lived as back came the Pilgrims with Jenkins Davies trying his luck from the edge of the box. That was well blocked by the home goalkeeper who then did equally well to keep out Kieran Edworthy's shot from the right-hand side.
Joe Hatch was next to suffer at the hands of the home ‘keeper as his drive is well saved.
With the first half drawing to a close, City almost grabbed the leveller, Baker was quick off his line to drop on a loose ball as a Grecian's striker prepared to fire home.
Argyle never quite hit the same heights in the second period, they went close to doubling their lead, nine minutes after the break when Issaka cleverly back heeled the ball into Edworthy's path, but the striker’s shot was blocked inside the area.
The game then changed when City substitute Alfie Cunningham's cool finish, from inside the box, seeing the Grecians level.
Then, with just three minutes of time left, fellow substitute Aamir Daniels saw his cross squirm under Baker to give Exeter the victory.
Argyle now have it all to do as they entertain Academy Two sides Bristol City and Swansea City.
Plymouth Argyle: Zak Baker (gk); Jack Matthews, Oscar Halls (capt), Joel Sullivan; Jeffery Forkuo, Finley Wilkes (Lewis Colwell), Freddie Issaka (Harley Sneap), Will Jenkins Davies, Jack Endacott; Kieran Edworthy, Joe Hatch (Henry Donovan). Substitutes not used: Matt Martin (gk), Jensen Ireland.
