Pilgrims are too potent for Glovers

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE achieved their target of booking a place in the group stage of the Premier League Under-23 Cup by beating Yeovil Town 2-0 at Home Park last night.

The Glovers had reached the final qualifying round tie with a 10-2 thrashing of Newport County last month, but they were kept at bay by the Pilgrims’ youngsters.

Goals from striker Klaidi Lolos and midfielder Cameron Sangster made sure that Argyle will be taking on Everton, Watford and Fulham – home and away – in this term’s group phase. Everton are the current holders of the trophy.

The Pilgrims also reached the group stage last season, when they gave a good account of themselves by finishing third in a section also containing Aston Villa, Bristol City and Derby County.

A repeat campaign will be a big boost to the development of Argyle’s young prospects.

With Argyle manager Ryan Lowe among the crowd, the Pilgrims did not have it all their own way against a determined Yeovil side. The visitors had the better of the first half in terms of possession and chances, but trailed 1-0 at the interval.

It was Lolos who opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a fine low finish after an excellent pass from left wing-back Reuben Collum.

Argyle, captained by midfielder Adam Randell, picked up their level of performance after the half-time break.

Sangster was denied a goal shortly after the hour mark when he was set up by Randell, but Yeovil goalkeeper Kacper Kowalczyk made a good block.

Kowalczyk also made a smart save from Lolos before Sangster doubled the Pilgrims’ advantage in the 79th minute.

A sliced clearance from Yeovil’s Toby Stephens rebounded off the top of the crossbar and Sangster was in the right place at the right time to tuck away the loose ball.

Argyle goalkeeper Mike Cooper had a fine game, making a number of excellent saves in both halves to frustrate the visitors.

The Pilgrims’ first Group B game will be against Watford at Home Park, and must be played between October 3 and 6.