Plucky Stoke Bow Out to Plymouth in League Cup
Stoke Gabriel’s hopes of winning the Walter C Parsons Cup are over as the last South Devon-based club left in the competition couldn’t quite get past Plymouth Argyle Reserves.
Despite it being a ‘home’ tie, the Pilgrims had further to travel than Stoke Gabriel with their adopted home being the Devon FA Headquarters at Coach Road. Manager Kevin Nancekivell fielded a very young side with a number of former Under-16s making their adult debuts. 125 fans turned out for the Tuesday 7.30 kick-off and saw an excellent free-kick from Jack Caller give Argyle the lead after 11 minutes of play. Apart from the goal, there was little to separate the sides in the first 45 and the half ended with Plymouth protecting that slender lead. In the second half, a strong-looking Stoke side created a number of chances to draw level but the lack of a clinical edge foiled their efforts. As time ebbed away and the night grew steadily colder – the crowd even treated to a light sprinkling of the white stuff – it looked increasingly as if that early Argyle goal would prove to be the winner and so it proved, the Railwaymen unable to force extra-time.
