Under 18s Report | Argyle 3-1 Bromley

Argyle Under-18s claimed their first league win of the season on Wednesday, beating Bromley 3-1 at Millennium Fields. 

A brace from Joe Hatch and a goal from Joe Mwaro was enough to comfortably propel the Greens to victory against a 10-man Bromley side, who are yet to claim a point in the South Youth Alliance League this campaign. 

Argyle struck first, after being awarded a penalty within the first 40 seconds of the game. Hatch was taken down in the area, being tripped from behind, and he confidently slotted home the spot-kick. 

For the next 30 minutes, a cagey and back-and-forth affair ensued with neither side able to create any major chances from their attacking positions.  

Bromley’s George Evans came closest with a free header in Argyle’s area, but the forward’s effort was wide of the goal and caused no harm to Jack Flower in the Greens’ goal. 

After Bromley tried to play out the back, Mwaro picked up a stray pass, drove towards goal and slotted home calmly past Harry Haines, who came sprinting out of Bromley’s goal to try and close the angle. 

However, this two-goal lead only lasted a minute, as Alfie Hildon’s goal from a corner reduced Bromley’s deficit back to one. 

Just after the half-hour mark, Argyle kicked into another gear, causing multiple goal-line scrambles for Bromley’s defenders, but were unable to break through.  

Eventually, Argyle found the third goal they were searching for through Hatch. The forward latched onto the end of a ball to the back post and volleyed home from an extremely tight angle. The goal was initially ruled offside, but after a brief conversation between the referee and his assistant, the goal was awarded to Argyle, and celebration followed once again. 

The second half saw few chances created for either side, but large frustration for the visiting team. Argyle neutralised all attacks and took control of the ball when needed. 

Tegan Finn returned to the side as a substitute during the break, and quickly won Argyle a free kick on the right wing after nutmegging Bromley’s Archie Cassidy, with the defender being booked for the cynical challenge. 

Ten minutes later, 11 became 10 for the visitors when Cassidy fouled goalkeeper Jack Flower and was shown a red card. 

Argyle were able to see the game out and claim their first three points in the South Youth Alliance League, much to the happiness of Head Coach Jamie Lowry and forward Hatch, especially after a heavy defeat in the previous game against Cheltenham Town.  

Lowry said: “I’m really pleased. The boys worked hard and gave us what we asked for in terms of being competitive, working hard, and bouncing back from the last result. I’m proud of how they've returned to winning ways. 

“It comes from doing the basics. We spoke about doing the basics right. Competing, working hard, do-or-die defensive moments and then being ruthless in the attacking third. All the things we asked the players to do, they produced. I’m extremely pleased with the attacking-third work. 

“I’m a little bit disappointed to concede. We always want a clean sheet, and the boys want a clean sheet - we’ve not had one yet this year - but we limited them to minimal activity, which was pleasing for us.  

“Three points and the reaction and performance, in terms of being competitive and working hard, was the main outcome we needed today.” 

Hatch said: “I've been out for four months with a hamstring injury, so it was good to get back. I started out-of-position, on the left wing, but I saw that as an opportunity to run at players and use my speed - and I won the penalty for that. Two goals, three points. That's what we can ask for really. 

“We went into deep analysis [after Cheltenham]. The boys bounced back and fought well. We had a good mentality coming into this game. Bromley haven't been in the league [before], this is their first time in the league, so we didn't know what to expect. We knew they were going to be aggressive. 

“I thought we played well. It’s good to get the three points. We had success last year, we were really good, but this season, I think we’ve had a quite slow start. Now, getting the three points, hopefully, we'll bounce back and carry on that good form.” 

Argyle host Bristol Rovers in the next round of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup on Saturday, 14 September.