Plymouth Argyle edged past Truro City in Cornwall thanks to a late goal from Michael Baidoo, as the Pilgrims recorded a fourth consecutive pre-season victory in advance of the 2026/27 season.
Decisive moment late in the game
Baidoo, introduced from the bench, converted in the 83rd minute to settle a match that produced few clear-cut chances for either side. The goal came after fellow substitute Freddie Issaka, who was born in Truro and also entered the game from the bench, created the opening for the Ghanaian midfielder.
The fixture, staged at the Truro City Stadium in front of a crowd of 3,088, underlined the visitors' inability to break down a well-organised National League South defence despite fielding a strong starting XI.
Selection and squad notes
Head coach Tom Cleverley named a robust line-up that included new signing Alex Mitchell, who arrived from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed six-figure fee after a successful loan spell with Argyle last season. Mitchell partnered Mathias Ross in central defence and wore the captain's armband, with Joe Edwards and Wes Harding absent from the squad.
| Position | Players (selected) |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Murphy Cooper |
| Full-backs | Matty Sorinola, Alex Hartridge |
| Centre-backs | Alex Mitchell, Mathias Ross (captain) |
| Midfield | Xavier Amaechi, Malachi Boateng, Harvey White, Ronan Curtis |
| Forwards | Owen Oseni, Bim Pepple (started); substitutes included Michael Baidoo, Freddie Issaka, Caleb Roberts |
Argyle are still pursuing a new recognised centre-forward following the departure of Lorent Tolaj to Bristol City, and the match offered opportunities for squad players to stake a claim ahead of competitive fixtures.
Local context and what comes next
- This result extends Argyle's pre-season run to four wins, following victories over Plymouth Parkway, Bath City and Torquay United.
- The competitive programme resumes in two weeks with a Carabao Cup first-round tie against Exeter City at Home Park.
- Several players who featured have recent links with Truro: Issaka and Caleb Roberts both spent time on loan at Truro last season.
Overall, the game offered useful match practice and a look at squad depth rather than an exhibition of attacking invention. Truro's defensive organisation made the contest a testing watch for Argyle, and Cleverley will have taken at least some encouragement from the fresh legs who delivered the late winner.
