Friendly

Tavistock AFC 1

Plymouth Argyle 5

PLYMOUTH Argyle manager Derek Adams brought his full first team squad to Langsford Park for this friendly, fielding a strong side that included his six close season signings along with five of last season’s regulars in League One.

The Lambs were without the services of Josh Grant and Warren Daw on the pitch, while on the touchline manager Stuart Henderson was absent through illness, so assistant manager Ken Ord took charge of the home side.

It was the Lambs that opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a fine move saw Shanley provide a defence splitting pass to find Lewis Coombes, who calmly rounded keeper Harry Burgoyne and slotted the ball into an empty net.

Shortly afterwards Lambs full back Ben Cross, who was back in the team after a long term injury, went down due to a knee injury and could take no further part in the match. Argyle were soon back on level terms when Freddie Ladapo was harshly adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area. Plymouth’s ever reliable attacking midfielder Graham Carey had the composure to draw Argyle level.

The Lambs continued to play some attractive passing football but it was Argyle that started to take control of the game. Lewis Coombes found Tyler Elliot with a fine pass, but Elliot saw his shot flash over the bar.

The visitors produced a top quality move which resulted in the lively Ladapo hitting the post. Shortly afterwards, Argyle were awarded another penalty when keeper Josh Oak was adjudged to have brought down Ladapo in the penalty area. Carey stepped up again to put Plymouth in front.

Lambs keeper Josh Oak was in fine form and made two top quality saves to deny new signing Calum Dyson from getting his first goal for the Pilgrims.

Just before the interval , another terrific move by the visitors resulted in the ball finding Garry Sawyer. His inch perfect cross was finished off with a bullet header from Ladapo, to give Argyle a 3-1 lead at the interval.

Manager Derek Adams made several changes for the second half, and they continued to control the game.

The Lambs’ back line were now under considerable pressure at times but they showed some grit and determination to try and contain the lively Argyle forwards.

Seven minutes into the second half, Argyle increased their lead when the very talented Ruben Lameiras unleashed an unstoppable shot from 22 yards.

The Lambs continued to show flashes of the form of last season, with some fine passing football but as the pressure built they reverted to long clearances which were easily dealt with the powerful Argyle defence.

Both Laneiras and Joel Grant went close prior to Derek Adams making three further substitutions.

The scoring was completed in the 74th minute when, after another flowing move, Joel Grant ran on to a great through ball and fired past the advancing Josh Oak.

This was a wonderful experience for the Lambs and the players can take pride in their performance.

There is no doubt that they learned a lot from playing against a very talented Argyle side that will be pushing for promotion to English football’s second tier after narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season.

Pictures by James Bird - see more in this week’s Times.