Under-18s v Cheltenham (H) | Preview

Argyle’s Under-18s, who are still 100% for this season, defend that record on Saturday against a team they have already faced this term.

The Young Pilgrims kicked off the season with a 2-0 win away at Cheltenham Town, with goals from Lewis Colwell and Josh Bernard, and now face the Robins in cup action.

This time Argyle are at home, in a third round ties in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.

“It's something that we've highlighted at the start of the season,” said new Under-18s manager Jamie Lowry. “We want to go further in cups. We've never really had great cup runs. It's that one-game moment, that 90 minutes in terms of having to win the game and doing what it takes to win the game.

“They'll be a tough challenge. They've been a bit hit-and-miss in terms of won three, lost three. We've played them already at the start of the season, so we know what they're about and it's about the boys to go and produce the result at the end of the game.”

Lowry has been named as the successor to Darren Way, who left after several years as Under-18s head coach to take up a role as assistant manager at Fleetwood Town. Jamie has been with the Argyle Academy for many years, most recently as Under-16s boss, and is delighted to have the chance to step up.

“I'm really happy to be given the opportunity to take that next step up in my career,” said Lowry. “The second years we have at the moment were under-12s when I first came to the club. I know the lads in a personal way as well.

“The lads have started really well. They've been really strong, from the work that Darren's done with them across the last three or four years. We've managed to kind of keep it as consistent as possible since Darren's left.

“It's development football; it's all about the lads, their development and them improving as footballers to try to get them professional contracts and into the first team. The process stays the same, whoever leads the programme.

“The boys have really responded really well and they've had some excellent results. That needs to continue on Saturday as well.”