A double from forward Michael Cook and a goal from Joe Hunt saw the Young Exiles pick up their first win of the season against Plymouth Argyle at Velodrome Way on Saturday, after trailing 2-0 at half time.
County started the game strongly, with Owen Taylor looking lively in midfield; however, it was Joe Hunt who had the first real chance of the game and saw his exquisite effort tipped over the bar in the 8th minute.
Evan Press was handed a golden opportunity two minutes later, with a brilliant ball from the right finding him, but the midfielder’s volley went over the bar to the relief of the Plymouth Argyle team.
The Pilgrims would make County regret their missed chances capitalising on some poor defending to take the lead on 28 minutes. A good header had 'keeper Callum Brain beaten.
Two minutes later, Michael Cook came close to equalising for the home side; his volley flying just over from inside the box.
Eventually, the away side took advantage of the Young Exiles' fragilities at defending crosses. Andrew Burn leapt the highest of all the players from a free-kick on the far left-hand side, heading home past Callum Brain in the 38th minute.
Half time came with the Young Exiles trailling 2-0 and in need of a big turnaround in the second forty-five. The Exiles made just one change at half-time, with Tom Savigar replacing Callum Beckett.
The opening twenty minutes of the second half had been low-key, with no real chances for either team.
This all changed in the 65th minute, with Michael Cook’s chipped shot going agonizingly close for Byron Anthony’s side.
Then after 66 minutes, the Young Exiles had a free-kick on the left which offered an excellent opportunity to the Young Exiles. Evan Press delivered into the box brilliantly and foundg the head of Joe Hunt at the far post, who headed past Max Childs into the bottom-left corner to reduce the deficit to a single goal.
The home side’s performance went from strength-to-strength as they pushed for an equaliser, with Liam Bishop, Joe Hunt, Tom Hillman and Owen Taylor all having good chances in the space of ten minutes.
In the 79th minute, the Young Exiles finally found a leveller. Michael Cook made a brilliant run past the Argyle defenders to convert a header past Max Childs.
After coming back from 2-0 down, a draw would have been a great result but the Young Exiles wanted more and kept pushing for the third goal and three points. It would be striker Michael Cook who would get that winning goal scoring his second goal of the match in the 84th minute with a superb sliding shot that had Max Childs beaten. County were in the lead and held on brilliantly until the final whistle.
The Young Exiles were resilient in defending their lead and exciting going forward and fully deserved their first league win of the season.
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Starting XI: Brain, Beckett (Savigar 45’), Murray, Foulston (C), Hillman, Press, Williams, Hunt, Taylor, Bishop (Edwards 78’), Cook.
Subs Not Used: Jay Williams, Liam Warman, Matthew Mayor.