Despite taking the lead through Theo Cutler, Exeter City under-18s lost 3-1 at Plymouth in the Devon Derby.
After Thursday night's first win of the season against Bridgwater, Lead Coach Nicky Ajose made two changes to his starting lineup. For the first time this season he utilised an overage player, as Max Edgecombe continued his return from injury, while off the back of playing for Wales' youth team, under-15 midfielder George Williams also started.
First half
Argyle began the game on the front foot, initially pinning City back into their own half, but the Grecians’ backline held firm. In midfield, George Birch stood out, with his play in the centre helping to push Exeter up the pitch.
It was a smart pass from another midfielder, Callum Graham, that City took the lead through on the half hour mark.
Controlling the ball which was thrown to him 15 yards inside Argyle's half, Graham turned and played a pass through a gap in the green backline. Theo Cutler ran onto the ball, knocked it around the onrushing goalkeeper before passing it into the back of the net to put the Grecians 1-0 up.
However, the lead was short-lived, as a miscommunication at the back allowed Argyle to equalise just three minutes later. With an attacker closing in, Jacca Cavendish attempted a pass back to Dylan Shanahan, but both misjudged their spacing, and the ball ricocheted off the keeper into the path of an Argyle player, who tapped into an open net.
After a quick exchange of goals, the remainder of the half saw both sides cancel each other out.
Second Half
The start of the second half brought about a couple of enforced changes for City, with Edgecombe and Williams coming off. That resulted in some players who remained on the pitch switching positions, which inturn affected the Grecians' play at the start of the second half as they appeared to be disjointed on the pitch.
That affected the way that Exeter could lay into their opponents, and with just 20 minutes left Argyle took the lead.
A long ball over the top found a winger out wide, who played in a midfielder 30 yards from goal. The Argyle player took a touch before launching a speculative shot that looped over Shanahan, putting the hosts 2-1 ahead.
City kept pressing for an equaliser but couldn’t break through, and Argyle sealed the game in the final minute. Their number seven sprinted down the left before cutting back into the six-yard box, where a forward finished off the match.
The Grecians returned from the Cornish border knowing their quality was lacking on the day. Although their rivals didn’t create many more chances, their ruthless finishing made the difference in this derby clash.
Next up for the under-18s is a trip to Portsmouth in the Youth Alliance Cup, this Saturday.
Exeter City under-18s: Shanahan, Cartwright, Anthony, Cavendish, Edgecombe, Oakes, Birch, Williams, Graham, Wilson, Cuter.
Substitutes: Down (GK), Crees, Hodgetts, Bown, Aston.
Goal: Cutler, 31'
Watch the goals ⬇️