Our U18's side picked up a hard-fought 4-2 victory in Plymouth to complete a league double over the Pilgrims for the first time since joining the Youth Alliance League South.
A double from substitute Owura Edwards and goals from Josh Williams and Michael Cook ensured the Exiles left Plymouth taking home all three points on Friday, 24th November.
County started the game extremely well, with Plymouth under a lot of pressure in the opening stages of the game at Harpers Park.
Soon enough, the pressure would pay dividends; Michael Cook’s tenacious play off the ball resulted in Plymouth ‘keeper Harry Townsend making a massive mistake whilst trying to clear his lines, allowing Cook to calmly finish home in the 5th minute.
It only took a minute for the Young Exiles to double their lead against Argyle, with Tom Savigar splitting the opposition defence apart with a brilliantly placed pass – which fell into the path of Josh Williams who produced a smart finish to beat Harry Townsend.
Lewis Collins could’ve made it three goals for the Young Exiles, but he saw a delicate chipped effort stopped brilliantly by Townsend with 14 minutes gone.
Then, it was the keepers time to showcase their talents, with Callum Brain making a brilliant save in the 21st minute before Harry Townsend made another brilliant save to prevent Lewis Collins from scoring four minutes later.
Eventually, Plymouth Argyle managed to get a goal back in the 31st minute after Kladie Lolos headed home from a free-kick on the far right-hand side past Callum Brain, who was well beaten.
Josh Williams had a brief spell off the pitch in the 36th minute after being fouled, but it wasn’t too serious, and the midfielder stayed on for the Young Exiles after receiving treatment.
Neither side managed to create any major chances from that point onwards, meaning Byron Anthony’s side went into the break 2-1 up at Harpers Park against Plymouth.
Kevin Hodges’ Greens started the second half very strongly, putting County under pressure instantly and started searching for an equalizer – soon enough it would come.
It would be Luke Jephcott who drew the Young Pilgrims level, putting his side back on level terms in the 47th minute.
County looked to respond and regain their lead through Michael Cook, who saw an audacious acrobatic effort go over the crossbar four minutes later.
Plymouth continued to pressure the Young Exiles, with striker Michael Cook clearing a loose corner in the 55th minute and helping to take some of the pressure off his side.
Byron Anthony made his first substation of the game in the 56th minute when Liam Warman replaced County’s goal scorer Josh Williams – County’s second change came six minutes after, with Owura Edwards coming on for Tom Hillman.
Owura Edwards would instantly receive a yellow card for a rash challenge on a Plymouth player in the 63rd minute from 40 yards-out.
The Young Exiles continued to push for an all-important winner at Harpers Park, with Liam Warman making a blistering run down the left, but his cross went straight into the arms of the Plymouth keeper after 67 minutes.
Five minutes later, defender Jay Williams would then make a vital clearance, managing to get in front of a well-placed shot that had Callum Brain beaten and would’ve given the hosts the lead.
Tom Savigar made way for Owen Taylor in the 76th minute as Byron Anthony’s side continued to push for a winner.
Owura Edwards would then make a brilliant run with 81 minutes played, drifting down the left-hand side before cutting in and leaving his defender behind to produce a magnificent finish into the bottom left corner to make it 3-2 to County.
Just when Plymouth thought that they still had the chance to snatch a point, Owura Edwards managed to pull out a brilliant finish in stoppage time, scoring his second of the game to a victory for the Young Exiles.
Goalkeeper Callum Brain made one final magnificent save in stoppage time from point-blank range, before County cleared the subsequent corner.
Finally, Lewis Collins would have the ball in the back of the net after he chipped Harry Townsend, but the referee ruled Collins offside and gave the forward a yellow card.
He called an end to proceedings in Plymouth – sealing a brilliant 4-2 win for the Young Exiles and a first-ever league double over Plymouth in the EFL Youth Alliance.
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County Starting XI: Brain, Jay Williams, Hunt, Savigar (Taylor 76’), Beckett, Foulston (c), Hillman (Edwards 62’), Press, Cook, Williams (Warman 56’), Collins.
Subs Not Used: Matthew Mayor, Liam Bishop, Lucas Murray.
Yellow Cards: Owura Edwards, Lewis Collins.
Plymouth Argyle Starting XI: Townsend, Hodges (c), Collum, Purrington (Randall), Burn, Crawford, Graske, Sangster, Lolos (Goulty), Ward, Jephcott.
Subs Not Used: Ryan Law, Max Childs, Rio Garside.