Under-18s v Exeter (H) | Preview

After a short break over the Christmas and New Year period, Argyle Under-18s have come roaring back in good form, winning their first two games of 2024.

Jamie Lowry’s young Greens, who top the Youth Alliance League, won 4-3 against Forest Green Rovers last Saturday, before heading to second-placed Swindon Town, on Tuesday, and winning 3-1.

Having beaten their nearest divisional competitors, in terms of points, they now take on their closest rivals on a geographical basis.

A Devon Derby against Exeter City beckons, with the equivalent fixture earlier in the season ending in a 3-2 win for the Pilgrims, who were two goals down at the break.

Lowry faces the twofold focus of the build-up of carrying on a run which could result in a divisional title, but also the pressures that come with a local Derby.

Lowry told Argyle TV: “A lot of the lads are from Plymouth and the surrounding areas. All the way through the Academy it's the same.

“It’s a local Derby and there’s always that little bit more on it. The boys have that passion. They not only want to win the game, but also get bragging rights locally, because they grew up close to each other, and they know each other really well.

“It'll be super competitive, I think. Before I was involved, we got the win earlier in the season at their place after being 2-0 down at half-time and won 3-2. They'll be gunning for a bit of revenge.

“Their beliefs in terms of how they'll pass the ball and want to try and play the right way, is similar to us. It'll be up to us to look after the ball better and then out of possession to be as aggressive as we can to go to get the ball back.

“You never know with Derby games, at any level. They're going to be up for it just as much, especially in terms of how we're doing in the league and our performances recently.

“They're definitely looking to get one over us, but it's on us to respond to that, react to that and be able to deal with the pressure that brings.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve come back and responded from having a little bit of time off. It's always difficult to come back after not training together for so long.

“Against Forest Green we wouldn't have liked the result to be as close as that after being 4-1 up just after half-time, but we saw the game through. I was really pleased on Tuesday to go to Swindon and get the three points. It wasn't maybe a perfect performance that we'd like to play in terms of passing the ball, but we've maybe gone there with a different game plan to try and win the game, try to play a different style and it worked.”