Dale Farm Milk Cup

Argyle win first game at prestigious international youth football tournament


Plymouth Argyle...5 North Dublin Schools...0

ARGYLE’S youngsters go in to Tuesday’s second game against the Japan FA with a victory under their belt as they began their Dale Farm Milk Cup campaign with this good victory over at Rugby Park, Coleraine.

A comprehensive victory it might have been but the Argyle coaching staff were not pleased with their side’s second half display after watching them score four goals in totally dominant first half performance.

“I thinks we’ve won the game without playing to the best of our ability and especially in the second half,” said coach Lee Hodge.

Argyle could have been two goals ahead, after just four minutes, with Alex Battle beating three defenders in a mazy run down the left flank.

The impressive striker unselfishly drove the ball across the area for Alex Fletcher to see his shot hit goalkeeper Oisin McCarthy and fly wide of the far post.

Sam Ryan worked his way in from the right side of the are only for McCarthy to make a great save to block the midfielder’s low drive.

Those chances were quickly forgotten as Battle again showed his strength, and skill as he went past two defenders before lifting the ball over McCarthy and inside the far post from the narrowest of angles.

Battle then turned provider as his left-wing cross was fired home, from close range, by Ryan in the 11th minute.

The Dublin defence was split wide open by Cameron Sangster’s pass that sent Fletcher clear to round the keeper and steer the ball home from an angle.

Dublin just didn’t have an answer to Argyle’s swift, passing game and Tyler Tonkin’s superb pass put in Fletcher who cheekily placed the ball through the legs of the onrushing McCarthy before slotting the ball in to an unguarded net.

Argyle made the mistake of thinking the game was won as Dublin emerged from the break an entirely different prospect and were helped by Argyle’s inability to repeat the slick passing of the first half.

Jason Grouse sent in a low shot that was saved by visiting goalkeeper Michael Cooper before Stephen Nolan curled a fine effort around the far post from the edge of the Pilgrims’ area.

The Argyle bench made changes and they were rewarded, six minutes from time, when Ryan’s great pass sent Fletcher racing down the right, before crossing for Battle to volley home the visitors’ fifth and final goal from close range.

Argyle: Michael Cooper, Ryan Dabbs (Harry Hodges 56), Ryan Law (Jake Lane 54), Harry Downing, Jordan Bentley, Josh Richards, Sam Ryan (Billy Craske 57), Tyler Tonkin, Alex Fletcher, Alex Battle, Cameron Sangster (Sam Morgan 45). Substitutes not used: Max Childs, Elliott Crawford, Matthew Ward.

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well done kiddies

Good to see the yoof coming through.

Angry wrote:

well done kiddies

Second that....

PLYMOUTH Argyle have maintained their winning start to the Dale Farm Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.

The Pilgrims beat the Japan FA Academy 1-0 in their second group game of the junior section, which was played in Clough on Tuesday afternoon.

Striker Alex Battle, a Plymstock School student, scored the winning goal for Argyle in the second half.

They had beaten North Dublin Schools 5-0 in their first group game in Coleraine on Monday.

Argyle are the only unbeaten team in their group after Sydney United, from Australia, lost 1-0 to North Dublin Schools, also on Tuesday.

The Pilgrims play their final group game against Sydney United in Ballymoney on Wednesday (12 noon)

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SIGN THE KIDS UP NOW BRENT before southampton get a sniff of them

Tonight game Plymouth Argyle 0 v 2 SC Corinthians FT

they did well hope they blossom into gems for us over the years.

If they are any good they will be pinched by Southampton