SGS College Students praised for heroic effort in FA Youth Cup defeat

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College footballers have been praised for their “heroic effort” in the FA Youth Cup following a 3-0 defeat by their Plymouth Argyle counterpart, writes Cathal Loughlin.

The SGS College Under-18s team, who play in partnership with Mangotsfield United in order to compete in the elite youth competition, were out to make history by qualifying for the second round for the first time ever.

And while they gave their EFL peers a run for their money at Argyle’s Home Park ground, they ended up wondering what might have been after two late goals condemned the underdogs to defeat last Wednesday.

The Stoke Gifford-based SGS side had already had to come through three preliminary qualification rounds to get to this stage, with two of the games going all the way to penalties.

The visitors came into the game as clear underdogs away from home against a League One outfit but from the off, the team captained with distinction by centre-back Isaac Comerford, demonstrated the belief that they could take the game to their opposition and give them as good as they’ve got.

The visitors started well and had the first chance of the game as Billy Wimble’s free kick sailed high over the Argyle crossbar.

The first chance for the home side came after Tashall Sandu showed his first bit of quality on the right wing and beat his marker, but his shot was deflected and went safely into the hands of Jack Sheppard.

The very impressive Teagan Finn got the ball on the right-hand side before finding enough time to find space and cross and it landed perfectly on the head of Frankie Maund but the striker’s header was off-target.

But soon after, Finn was on the ball again and this time it was more impressive work to beat wing-back Jared Bell, but his shot wasn’t as good as the dribbling as it went into the stand

SGS then carved out a good chance when striker Masood Garder showed very good feet just outside the box to find himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper Jack Flower, but was stopped as he tried to round the keeper.

After a tight, evenly contested 15-minute period, Finn found himself back involved as he did well by the byline to find Seb Campbell, but the striker could only find the side netting.

However, five minutes later, the hosts’ quality told through Tashall Sandu. as he picked the ball up 30 yards out and after driving towards goal, rocketed into the top corner from just outside the box to give Argyle the lead.

That goal seemed to put a real kick in the home side’s step and they nearly made it 2-0 just before half time, but an incredible recovery denied Finn on the counter attack.

The first real chance of the second half came when substitute Kian Burch found the split-second needed for him to turn and fire towards goal, but it went just over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Less than 60 seconds later, Burch had another chance at a goal but this time his shot had bounced back off the post after beating Sheppard.

With time running out, SGS had to throw caution to the wind, but they were punished for their ambition twice in quick succession. 

The first came after fantastic work by the side-line from Joe Mwaro, before he fired the ball in for Burch to finally get his goal as he prodded home.

Then just over a minute later it was three as fellow substitute James Sharpe curled a beautiful first time effort from range into the far corner – after being put through on a goal behind a tired defence.

The scoreline didn’t reflect the game as a whole as SGS pushed their fine-tuned hosts to their limit and headed back up the M5 beaten but unbowed.

After the game, SGS were praised by Under-18s head coach Marcus Thatcher, who insisted they had left Plymouth for the long trip back up the M5 with their heads held high.

“The team gave it everything and the fact we pushed our EFL opponents every so close says it all about the SGS players,” Thatcher said

“It was a case of so near but so far because the tie all hinged on three key moments when they took their chances to score, including two late goals.

“We gave Plymouth a real run for their money and produced a performance that will have enhanced the reputation of SGS.

“The whole team acquitted themselves really well and if we’d have been able to take our chances then the outcome may well have been different.

“For me it was an heroic efforts – the players all did themselves proud and they also did SGS College proud and reminded everyone that’s it’s great place to combine sport and education.”

Thatcher added: “There was a real togetherness about the team which has evolved on a close-knight group and that bodes well for the rest of the season.

“Our run to the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup has been long and rewarding and I’m sure the lads will take the lessons they’ve learned into the rest of the season.

“There should be no stopping us now as a college as long as the team is at and everyone applies themselves in every game because the talent is definitely there.”

Plymouth Argyle U18s: Flower, Mwaro, Davy (Maclean 65), Dean (Tolcher 89), Hayman, Haley, Sandhu, Lord, Maund (Sharpe 83), Campbell, Finn (Burch 57)

Subs not used: McCormick

SGS College: Sheppard, Goodfield, Ball, Oppong, Benitez Dorado, Comerford (Murray 77), Miller (Hope 54), Ford, Garder (La Porta 46), Sealey (Cox 60), Wimble (Stella 87)

Subs not used: Bond, Wong

Cover photo taken with copyright to Jack Tyler