BITTON V PARKWAY -MATCH REPORT

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FT: Bitton 1 (McClennan 36) Plymouth Parkway 1 (Lane 39)

League leaders Parkway travelled to 3rd placed Bitton looking to extend their winning run to 15 consecutive league games. Having convincingly beaten Bitton 3-0 at home recently, hopes were high of completing the double. 4 changes were made from their midweek victory over Hallen. Adam Carter, Teigan Rosenquest, Christian Pople and Aaron Bentley, returning from his short spell at Truro City, replacing Jordan Annear, Sam Hillson, Les Afful and the suspended Shane Krac. Among the above average crowd of 145 were a good number of the Parkway faithful and also an unexpected, unannounced visit from your correspondent's brother in law from his home in Wiltshire! Good to see him.

 

The game got off to a fast start with Bitton quickly on the offensive and setting the early pace forcing Parkway to defend strongly. However it was Parkway who had the first half chance with Ryan Lane going clear on the left but pulling his shot wide of the far post. With Dean Griffiths and Aysa Corrick looking dangerous up front and fluent through midfield, Bitton continued to push forward with Parkway unable to get their passing game going. On 16 minutes Bitton had a chance which flew just wide as they continued to close and press the Parkway midfield and force the pace with Carter becoming isolated up front receiving little quality service. Parkway had a let off on 25 minutes as they continued to come under pressure with a Bitton free kick being sliced just over the bar by an attempted defensive clearance. From the resultant corner a powerful header from defender Scott Brice was superbly pushed round the post by Kyle Moore at full stretch. Bitton continued to control the game forcing Parkway on to the back foot and unable to retain any decent, lasting possession or create any forward momentum. It was no real surprise when Bitton took the lead on 36 minutes. A free kick from the right, given for a debatable hand ball, saw a wayward defensive header drop to the impressive Joe McClennan some 15 yards out whose spectacular volleyed bicycle kick flew high into the net giving Moore no chance. A quality finish.

 

Proving once again that a team is at it's most vulnerable just after they have scored, Parkway responded almost immediately. From the restart, good play by Rosenquest set up a chance for Mikey Williams whose effort was blocked on the line by Sam Burgess the Bitton keeper. More Parkway pressure then saw them draw level on 39 minutes with Lane firing home a low shot from around 8 yards after Bitton failed to clear their lines. Bitton were forced into a substitution on 40 minutes with Jordan Whittaker replacing lively midfielder Mario Mateus who had picked up an injury. Bitton regained their composure and control, continuing to cause problems down both flanks with the half ending with central defender Billy Fletcher heading just over on 44 minutes. Bitton were the more dangerous side in the first half with Parkway generally on the defensive and unable to create too much going forward with Bitton probably disappointed they conceded just after they had taken the lead.

 

The second half soon developed into a dour affair with a plethora of yellow cards breaking up play. Ibrahima Diallo was the first to be booked on 46 minutes with Jordan Trott firing the subsequent 25 yard free kick just wide. Bentley was the next to be booked on 48 minutes followed by a period of Parkway pressure which saw a Jamie Lowry shot desperately saved by the feet of Burgess. Griffiths and Lane then entered the book on 56 and 58 minutes respectively as play became niggly with little quality from either side. On the hour Griffiths received his 2nd yellow card in quick succession for an arm up challenge on Moore after chasing a long ball into the 18 yard box and felling the keeper. Bitton immediately replaced Fletcher with Dan Hynes with someone from the Bitton technical area also being invited to leave the scene by the referee. Once the game got going again, good link up play between Lowry and Williams saw Williams poke an effort just wide. On 66 minutes Annear replaced Trott as Parkway changed to 4 4 2 formation looking to make the extra man count. Play continued to fluctuate from end to end but lacked any real quality with defences generally in control and few chances being created.

 

On 75 minutes Bitton almost regained the lead when a stunning strike from around 25 yards from Matt Groves smashed against the underside of the bar eventually being cleared to safety. Parkway then broke on the counter winning a free kick on the right with Rob Farkins planting his header just over the bar. With Parkway now pushing forward more and Bitton forced to play on the counter, Bentley saw his snap shot go just wide after a corner on 77 minutes with Burgess saving another Bentley effort on 80 minutes. Parkway made their final substitutions on 85 minutes with Hillson and Afful replacing Pople and Bentley as they went looking for the winner but too often their final ball lacked quality with the Bitton defence holding firm. Bitton had the final chance on 89 minutes with a Brice curling free kick fizzing just wide. Late bookings for Nick Milton and Afful summed up the patchy, uncompromising second half in which both sides cancelled each other out with the draw, Parkway's first of the season in their 33rd game, probably a fair reflection of the game in which defences came out on top. The real winners on the day were Willand Rovers who regained top spot on goal difference (+8) from Parkway having played a game less and seen their two closest rivals drop 2 points. Bitton remain 3rd three points adrift. As the season enters it's final month, the title chase continues and remains wide open with no doubt a few more twists and turns still to unfold.

 

Parkway are back on the road on Tuesday, a mere 60 miles, when they visit SW Peninsula League side Cullompton Rangers in the semi final of the Devon St Lukes Bowl, a trophy they currently hold. They return to Bolitho Park next Saturday when 4th placed Bridgwater Town are the visitors in what is expected to be yet another tough challenge. The tension mounts!!

 

Courtesy of Graham Lloyd