Under-18s Report | Argyle 5-1 Oxford United
Argyle Under-18s put in a five-star display on Saturday afternoon, running out 5-1 victors against Oxford United in the EFL South Youth Alliance League.
Two first-half goals from Tegan Finn, as well as Harry Shield and Seb Campbell adding to the team’s tally meant Jamie Lowry’s side went into the interval with a four-goal lead.
Joel Sullivan made it five for Argyle before a late consolation for Oxford from Harley Gardner concluded the game, the Greens running out 5-1 victors.
It was a quick start from Lowry’s side who took the lead in the fourth minute.
Finn, on his return, picked the ball up on the corner of the penalty area, cut inside, and hammered it into the far top corner. Oxford stopper Will Jackson was left without a chance as the ball flew beyond his grasp and into the back of the net.
After a wave of attacking pressure from the Yellows, Argyle made it 2-0 in the 24th minute, a reward for their resilient defensive work in the minutes prior.
It was patient build-up from Lowry’s side, who worked it well to Shield on the left flank. After cutting inside, he floated a cross towards the back post which evaded everyone and sailed into the back of the net.
Cole Fisher was lurking and there will be questions as to whether he got a touch to help the ball over the line, but we will let those two settle that one.
Just a minute later, the Pilgrims made it three and took the game beyond doubt. Joe Mwaro clipped a delightful delivery into the penalty area which Campbell did well to meet after losing his marker in the centre of the box.
The forward volleyed home from close range, finding the bottom-left corner, firmly putting Argyle in the driving seat.
It was trademark Finn once more, as the young Greens made it 4-0 just before the half-hour mark. There were so many parallels when the wideman picked the ball up on the left again. He seamlessly cut in, beating his man and lashing the ball into the top corner. Simply unstoppable.
When half-time came, it was a welcome relief for the visitors, who had spent so much of the first period under the cosh; perhaps it was a shame for Argyle, who seemed to be going from strength to strength.
After a bit of a dip in the second half - excusable due to the scoreline - Lowry’s side showed their clinical edge for a fifth time.
Scorer-turned-provider Finn whipped a sensational delivery from a corner towards the back post, where Sullivan was on hand to send a bullet header into the back of the net, completely nullifying any chance of the U’s getting back into the game.
Just before the final whistle, Oxford mustered a late consolation goal through Gardner. The Yellows broke through Argyle’s defensive line after sloppy play allowed the ball to be turned over in the middle of the park. The forward kept his cool and slotted past Dan Holman with just seconds left on the clock.
The full-time whistle went, and it ended 5-1 to the young Greens, who are now unbeaten in six fixtures across all competitions.
After the game, Lowry said: “The boys were outstanding today; we blew them away in the first half.
“We spoke a lot in the last couple of weeks about having a little bit more quality in the final third. I feel like our performances, genuinely, have been really good, out-of-possession stuff has been spot on. We are competing, working really hard, really aggressive in our press and then just being a bit more ruthless and taking a bit more care in and around the final third.
“I’m delighted with everything today, an excellent performance from the boys.”
Argyle: 40 Dan Holman, 2 Joe Mwaro, 3 Harry Shield, 4 Harley Sneap, 5 Jensen Ireland (16 Sam Hayman, 61), 6 Joel Sullivan (capt), 7 Seb Campbell, 8 Sam Lord (12 Billy Devlin, 67), 9 Kian Burch (14 Jared Rendle, 67), 10 Cole Fisher (15 Frankie Maund, 67), 11 Tegan Finn. Substitutes: 23 Jack Flower (gk).
