FA YOUTH CUP 2R Plymouth Argyle 3 MK Dons 1

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Created on Wednesday, 17 November 2021 22:18

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 November 2021 14:56

Published on Wednesday, 17 November 2021 22:18

Written by MIKE SAMPSON at Home Park

PLYMOUTH Argyle secured a home FA Youth Cup third round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion following an impressive win over MK Dons at Home Park.

The margin of victory should have been far greater as the Greens under 18s created numerous chances.

The young Dons only had two shots on target throughout and one produced their goal but that will not matter as the Greens progressed into the third round with an exciting attacking display.

The first chance fell to the young Pilgrims when Caleb Roberts put Oscar Massey clear only for Dons goalkeeper Ronnie Sandford to block his shot before the Argyle striker mis-hit his follow-up which flew into the custodian's grateful arms.

Argyle continued to press Dons back and Sandford was again in the action as he dived full length to push Roberts low 25-yarder wide only for Massey's follow-up to be blocked by a defender.

Welsh youth international Will Jenkins-Davies was next to try his luck with a free-kick from the angle of the box that thudded into the chest of Sandford.

Argyle deservedly took the lead in the 19th minute as Jamal Salawu gained possession at the near post to fire the ball across for the onrushing Jenkins-Davies to slam into the net.

Jenkins-Davies saw his 20 yard effort saved after Roberts had done well to win the ball in midfield.

It was 2-0 on 22 minutes as Jenkins-Davies played in Salawu for a superb first time drive that flew into the far corner of the net from the angle of the box.

Salawu almost notched a second after being put in by Roberts only for Sandford to make a fine block.

Dons only real effort on goal came on the half-hour as Brooklyn Ilunga saw his 20 yard effort comfortably saved by Lewis Moyle.

Argyle hit back with Jenkins-Davies' free-kick bouncing around the area before falling to the feet of Salawu who should have made it three but unfortunately fired straight at keeper from 10 yards.

First half stoppage time saw Massey denied by the keeper before the Argyle striker twice went tumbling in the area only for the referee to ignore home appeals on both occasions.

The second half began with Roberts making a great run along the bye-line only for his driven cross to strike Massey and fly wide.

Against the run of play and on a lightning counter-attack Dons pulled a goal back on 54 minutes with James Meadows applying the finishing touch from close range just seconds after Argyle had gone close to making it 3-0 at the other end of the pitch.

The home side should have restored their two-goal cushion on the hour as Jack Endacott's left wing cross found Salawu free inside the six yard box. The young striker's header flew just over the bar.

Chances continued to come and go for Argyle with substitute Freddie Issaka and Salawu denied by Sandford before Oscar Halls put a free header wide at the far post.

Argyle finally found a way past the visiting keeper on 82 minutes as Roberts once again won the ball to put in Salawu who made no mistake with a thumping finish from 15 yards.

Argyle Lewis Moyle, Oscar Rutherford (Kieran Edworthy 84), Brandon Pursall, Oscar Halls, Angel Waruih (c), Will Jenkins-Davies, Jamal Salawu, Oscar Massey (Freddi Issaka 62), Jack Endacott (Harley Sneap 89), Jeffrey Forkuo, Caleb Roberts. Subs not used: James Morley (GK), Jack Matthews, Henry Donovan, Finley Wilkes.

Goals Jenkins-Davies 19 Salawu 22, 82

MK Dons Ronnie Sandford, Charlie Smith (c), Dani Lucas, Edward Gyamfi, Tobi Ogundega (Edwin Daffern h-t), Charlie Waller (Simon Orphanides 60), Lewis Johnson, Callum Tripp, James Meadows (Kyle Boyce 71), Joel Anker, Brooklyn Ilunga. Subs not used: Sebastian, Stacey (GK) Jediah Bombo.

Goal Meadows 54

SWSN Star Caleb Roberts

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