Under-18s Report | Argyle v Newport County

Argyle Under-18s' fast start propelled them to an important three points at Millennium Fields on Saturday, picking up a 4-2 win over Newport County.

A Cole Fisher brace and first-half goals from Fletcher Poole and Seb Campbell were enough to see Argyle over the line in their home Youth Alliance League tie.

It took just 25 seconds for the Greens to take the lead, seeming that a repeat of the 7-1 result the weekend prior could be on the cards. Argyle won possession high in Newport’s half after playing long from kick-off and, rather fortunately, it fell to Poole inside the area, who slotted home confidently, before running to the corner flag in elation.

Over the next quarter of an hour, Argyle continued to hunt for their second goal and soon enough it came through a Fisher penalty, with the midfielder converting the spot kick after being fouled in the area.

Confidence continued to grow and two soon turned to three thanks to Campbell. The Greens pushed forward, won a corner and delivered the ball into the area where the awaiting Argyle number eight fired a half-volley into the bottom corner of Newport’s goal past Fraser Needham.

Seconds before the half-time whistle, the visitors pulled a goal back through Riley Lonergan’s strike from outside the area, but the cushion was soon restored. 

After pushing forward and pressing the Newport defensive line, Argyle were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the visitors’ 18-yard box. Fisher lined up, took a heavy breath and curled an effort around the wall and into the back of the net, before being mobbed by his teammates.

Newport did press on through the final 30 minutes of the tie, but Argyle held on thanks to Jack Flower’s reactive saves and last-ditch defending.

Argyle will now prepare for a league affair against Swindon Town, away from home, on Friday, 21 February.

Head Coach Jamie Lowry said: “We started really fast today. The boys scored after 25 seconds so I was pleased with the start and for the first 30-35 minutes we were excellent. Then, I think we just thought it was too easy. 

“We dropped off and it led to us giving them a goal just before half-time and then at the start of the second half, they made it 3-2. Luckily, a little bit of quality from Cole made it 4-2 and kind of killed the game, but overall, I’m slightly disappointed with the performance. 

“On the flip side, the conditions didn’t make it easy, so it was a good learning curve for the lads, and obviously, another win to keep moving in a positive direction.”

Argyle: 23 Jack Flower, 2 Harry Shield, 3 Toby Haley, 4 Jensen Ireland, 5 Sam Hayman (12 Trialist, 46), 6 Joel Sullivan (capt), 7 Cole Fisher, 8 Seb Campbell (14 Sam Lord, 68), 9 Kian Burch, 10 Tegan Finn, 11 Fletcher Poole. Substitutes: 1 Leo McCormick, 15 Jared Rendle, 16 Frankie Maund.

Goals: Poole 1, Fisher 16, 57, Campbell 25.

Booked: Finn 39, Ireland 65.