Match Day Thread Plymouth 3 v 2 Pompey - Youth Merit League

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Pompey concluded their Merit League campaign with a 3-2 defeat at Plymouth after conceding a late goal in Devon.

They took the lead midway through the first half, when Jack Matthews inadvertently diverted a corner into his own net.

And although Seb Campbell levelled for the hosts, another set-piece bounced around the box and eventually found its way home via Destiny Ojo (pictured).

But there was still time for Campbell to level just before the break and with a draw looking the likely outcome, Kian Burch’s last-gasp header won it for Argyle.

Lead professional development phase coach Sam Hudson said: “Across the 90 minutes, it was a pretty even contest.

“We had more – and better – chances in the first half and scored from a couple of corners, but missed some opportunities that we should have taken.

“It probably should have been a case of us going in with a two or three-goal cushion because when we went compact, Plymouth struggled to play through us.

“They usually try to exploit gaps from midfield, but we dealt with that well, only to leave their player free to convert from a couple of long balls.

“We didn’t deal with those instances well enough and instead of being ahead, we found ourselves level at the break.

“Our opponents had the better chances in the second half and we had to weather the storm at times.

“We looked a bit vulnerable in dealing with those balls in behind, but Xander made a couple of good saves.

“There were a few moments from us on the break and you thought we might nick it, only to concede from a free-kick right at the end.

“It’s a tough one to take, but that’s football and you don’t always get what you deserve from games. It’s a lesson for the boys.

“We fielded another mismatched team and once again, it was nice to see some of the younger players involved.”

Pompey: Bastian Smith (Xander Grieves 46); Kevin Bosaka, Cody Howard (Jack Fox 76), Sizer, Harvey Laidlaw; Thomas (Harry Clout 76), Dan Murray (Mitch Aston 46), Luke Staight, Jayden Keteku; Destiny Ojo, Connor May