Plymouth Argyle Reserves 2 Saltash United 1

SALTASH’S hopes of making it a record-breaking 11 wins out of 11 at the start of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League premier division campaign were ended by a young Argyle side at Coach Road, Newton Abbot, yesterday, writes Kevin Marriott.

Ben Steer’s excellent 88th minute breakaway goal sealed all three points for the second placed Pilgrims after they had been dominated by the Ashes in a hugely entertaining second half.

Signs that it was not going to be league leaders Saltash’s day started early with a very harsh penalty decision by referee Kubilay Esmer, the official deeming that Dave Trott fouled Billy Palfrey when in fact Trott’s superb sliding tackle sent the ball out for a corner, as flagged by a linesman standing 20 yards away.

Alex Battle made it 1-0 from the spot and for the rest of the first half there were half chances at both ends in an open, entertaining match.

Saltash were a different proposition in the second half, camping in the Argyle half for long spells and it was no surprise when they forced an equalizer seven minutes in.

Trott, who emerged as man of the match for the Ashes, created space with a marauding run through central midfield being finding Ryan Richards with a perfect pass, and the league’s top scorer made no mistake from 15 yards.

Callum Hall, a former Argyle youth prospect, was causing plenty of problems from wide positions and when he cut in after 64 minutes his fierce low drive finishes inches wide, although a pass to his left to the unmarked Richards looked a better option.

Saltash continued to push for a winner and in committing a lot of players forward, they were prone to a breakaway and were almost caught in the 86th minute when Battle screwed a shot inches wide when left unmarked.

The Ashes didn’t heed the warning and two minutes later they were caught out at the back as a long clearance set Steer away through the middle. There was still plenty to do but the young Argyle striker produced a superb finish to give Saltash keeper Ryan Rickard no chance.

The Ashes have played a lot worse than this and won games this season.. Football can be very cruel.