HALLEN V PARKWAY - REPORT

[RobinVanParkway]

FT: Hallen 2 (Tanner 15, Chaman 55) 
      Plymouth Parkway 4 (Annear 18, Lane 34,      Williams 76, Krac 82)

Parkway travelled to 14th placed Hallen looking to gain their 8th consecutive league win and maintain the pressure on the leading pack. Due to injuries and fitness issues, Parkway were forced into making 3 changes from last Saturdays fine victory over league leaders Willand Rovers with Jordan Annear, Jordan Trott and Jamie Lowry in the starting line up and Mikey Williams and Shane Krac included among the substitutes.

On a perfect playing surface Parkway made a good start creating a couple of early half chances but unable to convert either. Hallen gradually got into the game and took the lead on 15 minutes. Good play found Daryl Charman whose long diagonal ball to Matt Tanner wide on the left stretched the Parkway defence with Tanner firing home an angled shot from around 15 yards. Parkway responded decisively on 18 minutes, with a long ball to Adam Carter seeing him win a header putting the pacy, predatory Annear in the clear who finished sublimely with the outside of his right foot into the bottom corner from around 15 yards.

Parkway gradually gained the initiative with Christian Pople and the experienced Lowry controlling the midfield and Ryan Lane and Teigan Rosenquest creating problems on the flanks. On 26 minutes a fine run from Lane on the left saw him cross to Annear whose powerful effort from 12 yards was superbly saved by home keeper Liam Macfarlane. On 32 minutes another flowing move down the right by Parkway saw Rosenquest link well with Sam Hillson whose cross was just cut out by Macfarlane. The constant Parkway pressure finally paid off on 34 minutes when a fine ball from Nick Milton found the impressive Lane winning a header and latching on to the second ball, driving into the 6 yard box and smashing home a shot at the near post from a narrow angle.

With Hallen being forced to defend strongly and offering little up front, another great run through the middle by the irresistibile Lane on 38 minutes saw his right foot shot just shave the post. Hallen were being restricted to playing on the break and on 43 minutes a long range speculative effort from top scorer Charman, which had Kyle Moore back peddling to save, was the closest they came to a goal. Parkway continued to look dangerous as the half came to a close with Rosenquest going clear and seeing his shot saved and from the resultant corner a Rob Farkins header hitting the bar and being cleared to safety. A decent first half with Parkway making most of the running and creating chances with the Hallen defence and keeper Macfarlane managing to keep the margin to the single goal.

Hallen started the second half brightly with the tricky Tanner working his way in to the 18 yard box forcing Moore to make a comfortable save low down. Lane continued to cause havoc down the left and yet another run and cross saw Carter show good strength and control and fire just over. On 50 minutes Annear saw another fine effort superbly saved by Macfarlane after more good work from Lane. Hallen continued to compete well and after a decent spell of possession, won a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas and equalised on 55 minutes. A break on the left saw the impressive Charman turn his marker well and from close range finish smartly from a narrow angle.

Milton then saw his header flash narrowly wide from a well directed Trott free kick. Hallen continued to defend well and had a period of superiority in midfield forcing Parkway on the defensive with Farkins and Milton showing their defensive qualities winning numerous headers and tackles. Les Afful replaced Rosenquest on 57 minutes as Hallen continued to press with Kyle Thomas seeing his free kick on target well saved by Moore. Milton then had another header from a Trott free kick which went just wide with Hallen's Caelen Simpson picking up the games first yellow card on 65 minutes. Hallen continued to work hard in midfield closing down well and slowing the Parkway momentum.

Parkway then made a double substitution on 70 minutes with Krac and Williams replacing the impressive duo of Annear and Lane. This also prompted a slight change of formation. The changes almost had an immediate effect with a Krac shot being well blocked before Parkway went ahead again on 76 minutes. A neat exchange between Lowry and Afful just outside the 18 yard box saw the ball break to the unmarked Williams who coolly sidefooted home from around 6 yards. Afful then went clear and rounded the keeper only to be let down by his final touch when under pressure from a covering defender.

With Parkway now back in control, further chances were created with another Carter header being well saved and Lowry firing a shot well over. Parkway went further ahead on 82 minutes with a fine goal. A superb piece of close range skill close to the right touch line by Carter saw him nutmeg Tom Bradley and lay the ball off to Williams who weaved his way into the penalty area beating two defenders and pulling the ball back to Krac who fired home powerfully from 18 yards. Matt Tanner was then replaced by Jamie Samuel with Sam Hill becoming the second Hallen player to be booked on 87 minutes. With Parkway now in full flow and the game entering stoppage time, Krac and Williams were denied by further excellent saves by Macfarlane who had done more than most to keep the scoreline respectable. Charman was replaced by George Mitchell on 90+4 for Hallen as Parkway comfortably saw the game out for another hard earned 3 points. Once again proving there are no easy games in the league, a closely contested game with Hallen having their moments and Parkway having to graft and defend well at times with the substitutions and formation change for the last 20 minutes undoubtedly contributing to the victory.

The win and other results today have resulted in Parkway climbing to 3rd place on goal difference over Westbury, who lost today, and are now only 3 points behind leaders Willand having both played 26 games. Bitton who won today, are now in 2nd place, 2 points ahead of Parkway having played a game less. As the season enters it's final third, with Parkway still having to play pivotal games against Bitton twice and Westbury away, an exciting climax is envisaged. Parkway now entertain lowly Roman Glass St George at Stadio Bolitho next Saturday as they look to maintain their winning run. Hold tight!!

Many thanks as always to our very own Graham Lloyd fir another superb report 

[Ian Pethick]

Superb stuff Graham.