Exeter City under-18s first match in the Youth Alliance Cup ended in defeat as they were beaten 3-1 by Plymouth Argyle at Tiverton Town on Saturday morning.
Theo Cutler’s spot kick gave the Grecians the lead at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium just moments after the break, but the Pilgrims fought back with three unanswered goals to secure the local bragging rights
Under-18s chief Nicky Ajose made four changes to the side that were beaten 4-3 by AFC Wimbledon last weekend, with Dylan Shanahan replacing Dan Layer in goal, while Luke Hodgetts, Louis Cayless and Harry Appleton all came into the starting XI. Jacca Cavendish, who returned from his ACL injury at the start of the season, retained the armband.
It was an entertaining start to the game as both sides fielded early chances – City striking the post and Shanahan in goal diverting a Harry Shield effort round the post.
Indeed, Shanahan would have an busy afternoon as he made back-to-back saves from Fletcher Poole and Sam Lord as Argyle threatened to open the scoring. Shanahan was eventually beaten, though was saved by the offside flag as Shields’ chipped effort over the shot-stopper was chalked off midway through the half.
After a goalless first half, City came out the traps in the second and with their first attack were awarded a penalty – Cutler duly stepped up to slot home the spot kick and put the Grecians 1-0 up in the Devon Derby, firing the penalty straight down the middle.
Cutler could have doubled the lead less than five minutes later as he fired an effort just wide of the mark.
That let off for Argyle galvanised the visitors and they were level on 62 minutes when Kian Burch tapped home from close range after connecting to a precise pass.
Ten minutes later and the Greens were ahead when Shields found space in the final third, picking up a cross-field ball before driving forward from half-way and beating Shanahan with a low driven effort.
City’s were down but certainly not out and continued in their efforts to find an equaliser – but for a mass of Argyle men putting their bodies on the line with a series of blocks in the box.
Poole added a third for Argyle in stoppage time to kill the game off and secure the win for Plymouth. City were sloppy at the back and gufted the Greens possession on the edge of the area, with Poole slotting home.
City: Shanahan, Cartwright, Cavendish, Cayless, Oakes, Hodgetts, Crees, Appleton, Graham, Alsop, Cutler.
Subs: Layer, Anthony, Wilson, Bellotti.
Argyle: Holman, Mwaro, Haley, Dean, Ireland, Sullivan, Poole, Lord, Burch, Fisher, Shield.
Subs: Campbell, Hatch, Flower.