The secret behind Plymouth Argyle striker Luke Jephcott's goal spree

Jephcott was on target for the Pilgrims in their 1-0 League One season-opening win against Blackpool

Luke Jephcott is becoming a very promising goalscoring predator for Plymouth Argyle, and that has come as no surprise to goalkeeper Mike Cooper.

Cooper and Jephcott are both aged 20 and have come through the academy ranks together.

So Cooper, the Pilgrims' highly-rated goalkeeper, has seen the continued progress at first hand of Jephcott, who made his Wales Under-21s debut earlier this month.

This time last year, Jephcott was on loan to Paul Wotton's Truro City in the Southern League Premier.

Since he returned to Argyle at the start of 2020, Jephcott has had incredible success, scoring eight goals in 15 starts and one substitute appearance.

That resulted in him being named as the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for January, and picking up 2019/20 Argyle Player of the Year honours for the second consecutive season.

Jephcott made an excellent start to 2020/21, scoring in the 1-0 victory over Blackpool at Home Park on Saturday as the Pilgrims began their League One campaign by picking up three points.

Cooper said: "He has continued his good form. He's just such a goalscorer Jephs.

"He loves scoring goals. He always knows where the back of the net is and finds himself in really good areas.

"It was a really good finish from him (against Blackpool). A good header, low down. Whenever you get a goal like that you are not going to complain."

Jephcott's scoring record has been superb, and there has been one particular feature of how he has got his goals which illustrates his predatory instincts.

Cooper said: "He has told me his stat about all of his league goals - only two of eight are outside the six-yard box. He loves that.

"He's more than happy with it, and in training he's lethal he's always finding the corners.

"Ever since under-15s he has been a real sharp shooter, always finding the back of the net, and has just continued it through the ages.

"He has really progressed since he got two at Scunthorpe and another two at Carlisle (in January). It's good to see him kicking on and scoring more goals.

The win against Blackpool was due, in large part, to academy graduates Jephcott and Cooper.

While it was Jephcott who got the winning goal, Cooper made a number of very good saves to preserve the Pilgrims' lead.

However, Cooper pointed there were several young players pushing to break into the first team.

Defenders Ollie Tomlinson and 16-year-old Brandon Pursall both made their debuts in the 3-2 EFL Trophy defeat by Norwich City Under-21s at Home Park last Tuesday.

Midfielder Adam Randell also started that game, while Klaidi Lolos, 19, scored his first senior goal for the club from the penalty spot.

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Cooper said: "It's just me and Luke. We have got Rands, Ollie, Brandon, Rubes (Rubin Wilson) and Klaidi.

"We are all looking to kick on and make a name for the academy because it hasn't happened so much in recent times.

"The Gaffer (Lowe) has given us a lot of faith so just hoping to put it into the games and play well."