Whittaker marks his first Argyle game with a stylish goal in draw at Torquay

MORGAN Whittaker marked his return to Plymouth Argyle in spectacular style with a fabulous right-foot volley in a 1-1 pre-season draw away to Torquay United.

-  CHRIS ERRINGTON

Fresh from completing a club record transfer to the Pilgrims for a reported £1 million from Swansea city on Monday, the 22-year-old got a first half run-out at Plainmoor.

Whittaker scored the only goal of the opening 45 minutes as he gave the travelling Green Army a reminder of the tremendous ability which he showed so often while on loan to Argyle last season.

The Pilgrims could not make it a fourth successive win in pre-season, however, as a determined Torquay side drew level with a diving header from striker Brad Ash in the 77th minute.

Argyle manager Steven Schumacher made seven substitutions shortly after the hour mark and the Championship visitors were unable to impose themselves on their National League South hosts in the closing stages of the contest.

Conor Hazard, the 6ft 6in goalkeeper signed from Scottish champions Celtic, made his first appearance for Argyle after joining in a reported £150,000 transfer last week.

Callum Burton, who had started between the posts in the previous three pre-season games, was named among 10 substitutes, along with first-year professional shot-stopper Zak Baker.

There were also starts for talented teenage duo Freddie Issaka and Caleb Roberts, while Whittaker lined up in an attacking role on the right for the Pilgrims in a 4-3-3 formation.

However, Saxon Earley and Kaine Kesler-Hayden were ruled out by shoulder and ankle injuries which they picked up in the 2-1 win away to Blackpool on Saturday.