16-year-old Ryan Lane's brilliant strike lights up Argyle's friendly
Plymouth Argyle 1
Lane 79
MK Dons 1
Powell 86
Pre-Season Friendly, Sunday 21 July 2013
A remarkable goal from talented 16-year-old Ryan Lane marked his first team home debut for Plymouth Argyle after coming on as a substitute on a sultry afternoon at Home Park.
In a creditable draw against League One's Milton Keynes Dons, Lane's 79th minute lob over the keeper from 30 yards provided the highlight of the latest pre-season friendly for the Pilgrims.
Although Daniel Powell claimed the equaliser for the MK Dons shortly before full-time, Argyle will be satisfied with a good performance and some excellent preparation, against tough opponents, ahead of the new season.
The match saw the return of Jason Banton to Home Park. The midfielder was the goalscoring hero of much of Argyle's successful battle against relegation towards the end of last season. Despite overtures from John Sheridan, Crystal Palace opted to loan Banton to the Dons rather than for another spell in Plymouth.
A good workout for Plymouth included all of Sheridan's new signings and two goalkeepers, Jake Cole and Luke McCormick, who were each given a half.
But it was the 16-year-old youngster Lane who will have excited the faithful, showing his potential with a glorious moment to savour in the sun.
John Sheridan told the club's website: “He’s seen the keeper, 25-30 yards out, and it’s a great finish.”
“I’ve said to all the lads who came on in the second half – we were a very young side – our squad’s not massive, so if we get one or two injuries, they might be figuring a lot more.
“They’ve got to be confident. And Ryan will get a lot of confidences scoring a goal like that. The younger players on the fringes have got to believe that’s they’ve got a chance. Playing with the first team won’t do them any harm."
For a full match report, visit the Plymouth Argyle website.
Argyle (4-4-2): 23 Luke McCormick (1 Jake Cole h-t); 3 Curtis Nelson, 5 Paul Wotton (18 Ben Purrington 65), 8 Maxime Blanchard, 2 Durrell Berry; 7 Lewis Alessandra (17 Isaac Vassell 65), 4 Dominic Blizzard, 6 Conor Hourihane (capt) (14 Luke Young 65), 11 Romuald Boco (16 Jamie Richards 68); 9 Reuben Reid (15 Tyler Harvey 65), 10 Marvin Morgan (19 Ryan Lane 65).
MK Dons (4-5-1): 1 David Martin; 5 Lee Hodson (18 George Baldock , 24 Antony Kay (4 Tom Flanagan 26), 6 Shaun Williams, 3 Dean Lewington; 8 Darren Potter, 7 Stephen Gleeson, 21 Jason Banton (14 Dele Alli 73), 10 Luke Chadwick (12 Ben Reeves 73), 17 Daniel Powell; 11 Alan Smith (13 Izale McLeod 73).
Substitutes (not used): 16 Ian McLoughlin (gk).
Referee: Lee Swabey.
Attendance: 1,686 (41 away)
