HEAD of youth coaching Mike Pejic had mixed feelings after our youngsters' latest victory, which keeps them on course for their first-ever triumph in the Puma Youth Alliance's South-west Conference.

He was pleased with some of their crisp passing movements, particularly in the first quarter of the game, as they raced into a two-goal lead, but disappointed with the defensive sloppiness that allowed the home side to restrict the Young Pilgrims to a 3-2 advantage at the interval, although the rearguard did tighten up significantly in the second half.

And, whilst individual performances, rather than results, are of paramount importance, Pej was pleased that, with five games to go, his protégées lead their nearest rivals, Swansea City, in the race to the regional championship by nine points and additionally possess a vastly superior goal difference, although the Welsh club does have a game in hand.

Sixteen-year-old trialist right back, Chinua Troupe, was given his first outing in Argyle colours, following his release by West Brom, and he settled quickly, impressing Pej with his passing ability and pace, as the Greens made a dream start.

Left winger Damien McCrory showed real class as he gathered the ball and waltzed past two defenders, before cutting inside and unleashing a fierce 25-yard drive to open the scoring after only two minutes

Just seven minutes later, striker Toby Davis created an opportunity for right-winger Joe Mason, with a perfect diagonal pass, and Mason drove the ball into the roof of the net with a well-placed shot from 15 yards.

However, Hereford capitalised on a slip to reduce the arrears in the 21st minute, and although McCrory and Mason combined to set up Davis to score Argyle's third with a low shot from 15 yards on the half-hour mark, Argyle conceded another goal from the penalty spot four minutes later.

Fortunately, Argyle defended more solidly after the interval, and the attack created a host of chances, although many were not taken, with Mason and striker Jarred Stevens guilty of the most misses.

However, Mason, whose speed caused Hereford problems throughout the game, scored the Pilgrim's fourth goal from close range in the 52nd minute, after the home 'keeper had parried Stevens' initial shot.

Then, centre-back Shane White netted a near-post header from McCrory's in-swinging right-wing corner in the 75th minute to make the score 5-2. And substitute striker, Josh Grant, made an almost instant impact, scoring the sixth goal from close range two minutes later.

Our youngsters have no game this coming weekend. Their next Puma Youth Alliance fixture is on Saturday week, 29th March, when they travel to play Oxford United at Oxford University's Ifley Road sports complex (ko 11am).

Our Centre of Excellence schoolboy teams are involved with games against Torquay United next weekend - on Saturday the U16's play them at Bolitho Park, and on Sunday the U15's, U14's and U10's fixtures are in Torquay, while the U13's, U12's and U11's entertain the Gulls at Plymstock School (all games k.o. at 11am).