PARKWAY V KEYNSHAM -MATCH REPORT

[RobinVanParkway]

FT: Plymouth Parkway 2 (Williams 45, Carter 80)
Keynsham Town 1 (Lee 29)

 

At a wet and windy Bolitho Park, a 101 hardy souls were in attendance for the visit of Division 1 high flyers, 2nd placed Keynsham Town in the quarter final of the Les Phillips League Cup. Parkway, looking to reach their 2nd semi final of the season, made one change from last Saturday's victory over Roman Glass with Jordan Annear starting up front in place of Adam Carter who was named among the substitutes.

 

Keynsham started the quicker looking well organised, sharp and lively all over the pitch with Parkway finding it difficult to get into the game. With Stefan Lee and Matt Brown looking dangerous up front and captain Harley Purnell impressive in midfield, Keynsham dominated the early stages not allowing Parkway any time on the ball. The first chance fell to Keynsham on 13 minutes with Purnell showing good awareness and seeing Kyle Moore well off his line tried his luck from around 25 yards. Back peddling, Moore gathered the shot safely. With Keynsham pressing high and closing down quickly, Parkway were unable to retain possession being forced to hit too many long balls under pressure which were comfortably dealt with by a solid looking Keynsham defence. Parkway's only effort of note in the early stages was a hooked shot from Shane Krac easily saved by Ashley Clark on 16 minutes.

 

Parkway continued to be guilty of conceding possession too easily as Keynsham continued to dominate in midfield and press in numbers and generally be in control. A clever turn just inside the Keynsham half by Annear saw him brought down with Danny Spill picking up the first yellow card of the game on 17 minutes. Parkway did manage a rare break forward on 22 minutes with Ryan Lane going clear on the left with his well directed cross being smothered low down by Clark. Keynsham continued to threaten and on 25 minutes a long ball caused confusion in the Parkway back line with a Moore hacked clearance rebounding off Lee towards goal only for the retreating Rob Farkins to somehow hook the ball to safety. More Keynsham pressure on 27 minutes saw Nathan Curnock shoot just wide before they deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes. A pacy run wide on the right by top scorer Brown saw his quality low cross reach Lee who stretched in ahead of his marker and slide his effort low into the far corner giving Moore no chance.

 

With the numerous and by now predictable long throws by full back Matt Curnock causing Parkway problems, Keynsham almost doubled their lead on 36 minutes. Another long ball into the danger area was misjudged at the back allowing Brown time and space but his prodded effort from 10 yards flashed just wide. He maybe should and could have done better. With Keynsham constantly first to the ball and their work rate and commitment first class, they continued to threaten with central defender Adey Harvey heading just wide from another corner on 39 minutes. Parkway were forced to defend in numbers and were unable to gain any decent possession in midfield as Keynsham continued to look sharp, incisive and comfortable at the back. Parkway however continued to battle and scrap and grabbed an unlikely equaliser on the stroke of half time. An innocuous looking ball from the right somehow created hesitancy between Clark and a defender with the alert Mikey Williams quickest to react to the loose ball, round the keeper and slot home from around 10 yards. A half generally dominated by an impressive Keynsham outfit with an out of sorts Parkway grabbing a crucial lifeline late on.

 

 Harsh words must have been said at half time as Parkway started the second half at a far higher tempo with better ball retention and more fluent movement. With Krac, Jamie Lowry and Christian Pople now seeing more of the ball and becoming more influential in midfield, chances began to be created. On 53 minutes a Parkway corner on the left was initially cleared then knocked back into the 6 yard box with an Annear header hitting the post and being hacked clear by some desperate defending. A fine passage of play between Krac and Williams set up Annear who saw his snap shot well saved by Clark as Parkway now looked much sharper, more patient in their build up and more confident in possession. Just before the hour the powerful Lee picked up an injury and was replaced by Craig Wilson. Play continued to be competitive and combative with Keynsham seeing a close header fly just over and the Parkway defence holding firm under pressure.

 

Mike Smith replaced Lane on 63 minutes and immediately linked well with Annear with his cross being well defended. Play continued to go from end to end with Parkway now pressing higher looking the more dangerous. On 70 minutes the strong running Smith then linked well again with Annear on the break with his shot being blocked and cleared for a corner. Keynsham bounced back forcing 2 corners with yet another shot flying just over as the game remained firmly in the balance. With no extra time and the game going straight to penalties, Parkway replaced midfielder Pople with striker Carter on 77 minutes and tweaked their formation slightly as they went looking for the winner. Keynsham replaced the injured defender Scott Saunders with like for like defender Mike Grist shortly after. Parkway now looking the more likely edged ahead for the first time on 80 minutes. A cross from the right saw Jordan Anstey make a mess of his attempted headed clearance with the ball dropping to the surprised Carter some 8 yards out who managed to control the ball at the second attempt and steer the ball home with what was just about his first significant touch since coming on.

 

Parkway immediately replaced striker Annear with midfielder Teigan Rosenquest as they looked to bolster midfield and see the game out. A frantic finale then ensued with Keynhsam almost equalising on 83 minutes. A break on the right saw Moore rush from his goal only to be rounded and the ball fired into the 6 yard box with the Parkway defence somehow managing to block a couple of close range shots and scramble the ball clear. Keynsham replaced Harley Purnell with his namesake Mitch on 85 minutes as they continued to apply pressure with Parkway having to defend valiantly and at times desperately. The final feisty five minutes saw bookings for Farkins, Carter and Anstey as Parkway held on to earn their place in the semi final where they will now travel to either holders Buckland Athletic or Cadbury Heath. Date yet to be arranged. After being largely outplayed in the first half, Parkway were much improved in the second but can probably consider themselves fortunate to win the game by profiting from two defensive errors. However their will to win, doggedness and determination once again came to the fore against a very good, well organised and strong Keynsham side, arguably the best team seen at Bolitho Park this season. Certainly far superior to many of the Premier teams we have seen. If they continue to play as they did tonight, they must surely be strong candidates for promotion.

 

Tonight's victory extended Parkway's impressive winning run to eleven in all competitions. Attention now reverts back to league action on Saturday with a visit to 13th placed Cadbury Heath (your roving reporter will not be in attendance, yes another reunion). Normal service should be resumed next Wednesday when fellow promotion contenders Bitton, currently 2nd, visit Bolitho Park in what should be a cracking game and could possibly go some way to influencing the destination of the title. Apparently there was a half decent game on BT Sport tonight too!!

 

Credit to the hardiest sole of all, Mr Lloyd, for yet another super report. BZ

 

[Ian Pethick]

Excellent report Graham, the treble is still on!

The last three matches against Hallen, Roman Glass and Keynsham have all sounded like tough battles. The type of games that successful sides grind out and win.

[RobinVanParkway]

15 minutes ago, Way Of The Park said:

Excellent report Graham, the treble is still on!

The last three matches against Hallen, Roman Glass and Keynsham have all sounded like tough battles. The type of games that successful sides grind out and win.

As we have all said before...If the team is not 100% up for it and committed to each and every game ...you will drop points. I know its an old cliché but there are no easy games. Last nights result is a prime example, I think we all under estimated them, they will do well if they gain promotion, a big, strong well organised and well coached side who probably feel a little aggrieved with the result.