Argyle are rewarded for taking Trophy seriously
Pilgrims are now three games from Wembey after seeing off Charlton at Home Park
STEVEN Schumacher is well aware of the unpopularity of the Papa Johns Trophy among fans but he views the much-maligned competition as an important one for Plymouth Argyle.
With nine players ruled out by injuries, Schumacher picked a team of five teenagers and a 22-year-old captain in midfielder Adam Randell for the last 32 tie against Charlton Athletic at Home Park.
Charlton effectively sent their under-23s’ squad to fulfil the fixture so neither side was anywhere near to full strength. That said, Schumacher took a lot of encouragement from the Pilgrims’ 3-2 victory.
Not last because 17-year-old midfielder Caleb Roberts scored his first senior goal as Argyle came out on top in front of just 1,394 fans.
Schumacher said: “I’m delighted with the way they played. First of all, I think it was a good game. It was exciting.
“All of the Papa Johns Trophy games that we have played this year have been good games of football. I enjoyed it and, yeah, the team was so young, it was so inexperienced.
“Five in the team are teenagers, plus Adam Randell, who is home grown. I couldn’t be any prouder of them the way they played the way they played.
“Every one of them looked as though they were calm, they looked as though they enjoyed it. We asked them to relax and play.
“Oscar Halls made an error in the first few minutes and got punished for it, but the way he reacted to that and the way he learned from it was different class so it was really pleasing all round.”
Schumacher continued: “We are three rounds away from Wembley. We could be on the big stage there, so it’s brilliant, but we will look at that further down the line.
“The most important thing is that we have got through, we have got a few extra quid as prize money (£20,000) for the club, and it’s going to be another opportunity for those young players to play.
“Everyone gives this competition stick, and I understand the fans don’t see it as a priority. We haven’t got a big squad and we can’t be risking players unnecessarily when we don’t need to.
“I understand that, but this competition also gives you an opportunity for young players to show what they can do. When else are we going to see Caleb Roberts?
“Will JD (Jenkins-Davies) and Oscar Halls both scored a goal at Swindon. Freddie Issaka should have scored tonight.
“This competition takers a bit of stick, fair enough, but it has also got its plus side to it in my opinion. I’m glad we have got through the group.
“If we didn’t get through the group, that wouldn’t have happened tonight. Now we have got another chance for those young players to shine again.”
The still regionalised last 16 draw will take place this afternoon, with the ties to be played on the week commencing December 12.
Roberts, who recently signed his first professional contract at Argyle on his 17th birthday, put Argyle 3-1 ahead almost immediately after halftime.
He pressed high when Charlton goalkeeper Nathan Harness tried to pass the ball out from the back, Roberts won the ball and slotted low into the net with one touch.
Schumacher said: “I’m so pleased for him. Charlton were young as well, let’s not forget it was not a full strength Charlton team.
“Niall Ennis’s goal came from a mistake, and we felt there would be more mistakes if we came and pressed them. That was the message at half-time, to keep being positive, get on the front foot and force them into an error.
“Their player has taken a bad touch and Caleb punished him with a lovely finish right into the corner to become, I’m told, the club’s fifth youngest ever goalscorer.
“So, yeah, really pleased, he was outstanding. They all were. I thought young Finley (Craske), who hasn’t played for such a long time, did great. He didn’t make a mistake.
“Brandon Pursall got better as the game went on. He looked more aggressive, and that’s what he needs to get into his game. He was brilliant.
“Oscar could have crumbled after that error at the start but we have just seen that kid has got good character. He will be ready when needed as well.”
The fit-again Mickel Miller made his first start for Argyle after recovering from a torn thigh muscle and played for the first half, as planned, before making way at left wing-back for scholar Jack Endacott.
Schumacher said: “I’m delighted for him. He looked good, he showed some glimpses, looked a bit rusty as well at times but that’s bound to happen.
“So, again, another positive. If we hadn’t got through the group we wouldn’t have been able to do that,” added the Pilgrims’ boss, who reported a clean bill of health after the game.
“Touch wood, it’s the first game for a while no-one has come off saying anything is wrong with them.”
Argylr are without a game this weekend due to the FA Cup and Schumacher said: “We will be in training on Thursday, we will get a good session into everybody who didn’t play against Charlton.
“Then we are going to have a rest over the weekend because I think that’s needed. Everybody needs to switch off and take stock of what has been happening.
“Then we will get back in on Monday, ready to play Port Vale next weekend.”