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Search forEaster on mark as reserves win
Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 06:58
WANTAWAY striker Jermaine Easter scored one of the goals for Argyle reserves in their convincing victory over Exeter at Home Park yesterday afternoon.
Easter, who has asked to leave the Championship club for personal reasons, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of the Pontin's Holidays Combination clash.
Wingers Yala Bolasie and Craig Noone – in his first appearance at Home Park since his £110,000 transfer from non-League Southport earlier this month – were also on target for the Pilgrims.
Argyle reserves had lost 5-2 away to Swindon Town in their first Combination fixture of the season last Tuesday.
On that occasion, their young team included only one of the club's professionals – midfielder Dan Smith – but it was a much stronger side that faced Exeter.
Six of the players in the Pilgrims' squad had been on international duty last week.
Four of them were in the starting line-up – centre-backs Krisztian Timar (Hungary) and Craig Cathcart (Northern Ireland under-21s), midfielder Yoann Folly (Togo) and Easter (Wales).
The other two were substitutes Damien McCrory (Republic of Ireland under-19s) and striker Ashley Barnes (Austria under-20s).
Timar captained the team, which also featured trialists Nicky Law and Denes Rosa in the centre of midfield.
Goalkeeper Romain Larrieu had a run-out for the reserves, even though he has still not shaken off a groin strain.
And the 31-year-old had to make a good reaction save from Exeter striker Ben Watson early on.
Argyle took the initiative, though, after Easter put them into the lead.
The transfer-listed striker weaved his way past Exeter defender Moses Swaibu with some smart footwork before smashing a shot past Nick Jordan from close range.
Argyle increased their advantage only two minutes later when Bolasie showed off his blistering pace.
The 19-year-old summer signing from Maltese club Floriana latched onto a pass from Rosa and went past Exeter defender Scott Bennett before firing low past Jordan.
Argyle nearly added a third goal in the 27th minute when Bolasie whipped in an excellent right-wing cross and Noone's first-time shot was blocked by Jordan.
Exeter midfielder Emmanuel Panther did have a 25-yard drive saved by Larrieu before half-time but Argyle were firmly in the ascendancy and that continued into the second period.
Noone, who put in a vibrant performance on his Home Park debut, shot against the base of the right post in the 51st minute.
But the 20-year-old was not to be denied a goal, and he put Argyle 3-0 up on the hour.
Exeter substitute Aaron Dawson carelessly gave away possession and Noone punished the error by firing the ball high into the net from 20 yards.
There was a double chance for Argyle to take a 4-0 lead in the 62nd minute as Rosa's low shot rebounded off the left post and Easter's follow-up attempt was smothered by Jordan.
Easter had another close range strike saved by Jordan in the 78th minute, after an excellent cross from Rosa, who was the pick of the two Argyle trialists.
There was late controversy as Exeter striker Craig McAllister was sent-off in the 84th minute after a clash with McCrory, who had come off the bench and was booked for his part in the incident.
Argyle (4-1-4-1): Romain Larrieu; Shane White, Krisztian Timar, Craig Cathcart, Jim Paterson; Yoann Folly (Gary Sawyer 57 mins); Yala Bolasie (Dan Smith 57 mins), Denes Rosa, Nicky Law, Craig Noone (Damien McCrory 71 mins); Jermaine Easter. Substitutes (not used): Lloyd Saxton (gk), Ashley Barnes.
Exeter (4-3-3): Nick Jordan; Patrick Noubissie (Aaron Dawson h/t), Moses Swaibu (Chris Shephard 74 mins), Scott Bennett (Jack Obersteller 60 mins), Dean Moxey; Liam Sercombe, Emmanuel Panther, Bertie Cozic; Steve Basham, Ben Watson, Craig McAllister.
Goals – Argyle: Easter 23 mins, Bolasie 25 mins, Noone 60 mins; Exeter: None.
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