Swindon Town U18s miss out on chance to push their table top challengers Plymouth Argyle U18s in a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to The Seasiders.
Early goals from Joe Hatch and Josh Bernard would give Plymouth a comfy lead 40 minutes into the game before a late first-half goal from Joel McGregor kept The Seasiders on their toes.
However, midway through the second half, Tegan Finn confirmed the win for Plymouth after forcing The Town defence into the mistake.
It was a very even game in the first twenty minutes, with both sides showing great attacking prowess and good solidity at the back.
It would be Swindon with the first real chance, though, as Alistair Stewart would find Conor Britchford-Stanley, whose low-driven shot was saved well by the Plymouth goalkeeper.
Unfortunately for Town, it would be Plymouth who took the lead through Hatch as a quick throw-in was swung in from the left-hand side where Hatch was unmarked and managed to put the ball into the top right-hand corner.
It wouldn't be long until Plymouth extended their lead through Bernard after his fellow strike partner Hatch wiggled his way into space in the box before laying off the ball to Bernard, who made no mistake.
Swindon would get one back just before the half after an effort from Botan Ameen would be saved, but only fall to McGregor, whose close-range shot found the back of the net.
Half-time: Swindon Town U18s 1-2 Plymouth Argyle U18s
Argyle would escape a certain goal as a mishit back pass from one of the defenders would give Miles Obodo a chance to intercept and get an equaliser for Town, but the Plymouth goalkeeper read well to get rid of the danger.
It would then be Plymouth who extended their lead with a high press from Argyle, causing a mistake in the Town backline before Finn slotted the ball past Redman Evans.
It would then be a massive chance for Swindon that goes begging after McGregor makes a lovely run past two Plymouth players before he played in Ameen, whose first touch took him away from his defender, but his lofted shot hit the bar and went out of play.
The rest of the game would be primarily Plymouth, and after some fantastic saves from Evans, Town would unfortunately not be able to get back into the game as Woods' side would suffer defeat.
Following this result, Swindon looks ahead to their next contest against Forest Green Rovers U18s at home for a Youth Alliance League fixture.
Full time: Swindon Town U18s 1-3 Plymouth Argyle U18s
Swindon Town U18s: Evans(C), Coles (Hutt 60'), Adams (Hunt 45' (Mccormick 77')), Stewart, Hart, Keyes, McGregor, Ameen, Britchford-Stanley, Obodo (Alston 74')
Goal: McGregor 45'
Plymouth Argyle U18s: Holman, Colwell, Sullivan, Ireland, Matthews, Gibbings, Fisher (Haley 82'), Lord, Hatch, Bernard, Finn (Donovan 82')
Subs not used: Wilkes
Goals: Hatch 29' Bernard 36' Finn 66'
