Head coach Jamie Lowry praised his Plymouth Argyle under-18s' side for 'just an incredible performance' after they caused a FA Youth Cup fifth round upset by winning 1-0 away to Everton.

A penalty scored as early as the second minute by Cole Fisher after a foul on Kian Burch proved to be decisive in the game played at Walton Hall Park, the home ground of Everton's Women's Super League side. Taking the scalp of a category one academy team was a huge achievement for Argyle, who are at category three level, and has set up a quarter-final tie for them away to Aston Villa.

Lowry told Argyle TV: "I’m pretty speechless to be fair. The boys were incredible. Left it all out on the pitch. They put the game plan down to a tee.

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"Blocked tackles, made saves, passed the ball and defended like lions when they needed to. It's just an incredible performance and it's something they fully deserve. They work so hard day in, day out, the whole programme. I'm so proud of them.

"I think the early goal maybe helped settle the nerves a little bit. The plan was, if you get a chance to play forward and cause problems in the opening 10 minutes, do that, but obviously don't do anything silly.

"We worked on the kick-off a bit, with where we wanted to put it, and it was an excellent start with the pass from Jensen (Ireland). We then kept the ball alive from the corner and had that little bit of quality with Cole’s penalty.

"They say you can score too early, but I think after 43 seconds, at the start of the game, if you said 1-0 I'll take it. For the rest of them, the game plan was fantastic and they implemented and carried out."

Lowry added: "I can't speak any higher than what they have achieved together. And again, for the lads that missed out, are at home injured, have long-term injuries and things like that, this is a testament to them.

"So, this is not just for the 16 that were involved, it's the whole academy, in terms of the scholars and then also the coaching staff throughout the age groups as well. It's all a massive part of it, part of the journey, and it's a massive thing for our guys as well. I’m super proud and pleased for them."

Under-18s captain Joel Sullivan said: "I can't even put it into words. We knew how big this game was going into it and knew what we had to do. Jamie and all the other coaches talked us through the game plan, and I think we carried it out really well today.

"It's a great honour to reach the next stage of the competition. It means a lot. All the lads work hard every single day, in and outside of training, putting in 100 per cent all the time. I think our hard work's justified, and it shows in the result."

Defender Jensen Ireland added: "We knew they were going to be a good team from the start. Obviously, a category one academy and the Everton name, but something we spoke about a lot is keeping more clean sheets.

"So once that first goal went in, Sully and I – and not just us, the rest of the team from front to back - we defended with our hearts and put everything on the line. That's why we have come away with such a special result.

"We have been at the club for ages, since we were really young and when you are at the academy the FA Youth Cup is circled on your calendar. Beating Everton away is something so special for us all."

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