Odd Down 0 Parkway 2

[Ian Pethick]

Two first half goals from Rob Farkins and Adam Carter keep Parkway top of the table. 

As you were feel to the Western League with the top three all winning. 

[RobinVanParkway]

FT: Odd Down (Bath) 0
Plymouth Parkway 2 (Farkins 5, Carter 13)

Parkway travelled to Odd Down looking to continue their 19 game unbeaten run and maintain their position as league leaders. With Mikey Williams and Aaron Bentley out injured and Nick Milton and Christian Pople unavailable, 4 personnel and some positional changes had to made from the midweek league cup semi final victory at Cadbury Heath including the welcome return of captain Shane Krac from a 4 match suspension.

 

Parkway made the perfect start taking the lead after 5 minutes. A Jamie Lowry free kick was not fully cleared enabling Krac to recycle the ball to the far post where central defender Rob Farkins calmly slotted home from the angle of the 6 yard box. Parkway continued to threaten and on 10 minutes Les Afful just failed to connect with a dangerous cross from the right from Mike Smith. Parkway continued to stretch the Odd Down defence and went further ahead on 13 minutes. Fine link up play between Smith and Carter down the right split the Odd Down back line with Carter peeling off to the back post and maintain his recent good scoring run by stabbing home a quality cross from close range. Parkway continued to dominate and on 19 minutes another penetrating attack ended with Smith's acrobatic volley flying just over. Odd Down gradually began to get into the game but a break on the right came to nothing after a poor cross. On 24 minutes a shot on the turn from impressive Odd Down midfielder Ash McGrane flew just over as they started to gain more possession in midfield. A surging box to box run by Ryan Lane on 33 minutes caused some alarm in the Odd Down defence with his cross being blocked and eventually cleared.

Play now became more even with Odd Down competing well and Parkway unable to build on their earlier superiority and being forced to defend strongly. On 42 minutes good work from Teigan Rosenquest saw him win and retain the ball setting up Krac whose shot was blocked with Smith shooting just over from the loose rebound. The half ended with Odd Down on the attack and a good move down their right ended with Kyle Moore just touching an angled shot behind for a corner.

 

After a bright start, Parkway's tempo dropped with too many misplaced passes and poor ball retention allowing the hard working Odd Down back into the game and create a couple of half chances. On 46 minutes Parkway were given a huge let off. After conceding possession in midfield, George Lloyd was sent clear going one on one with Moore, who had narrowed the angle, only to pull his shot horribly wide when he should have scored. With Parkway unable to reimpose themselves in midfield and Odd Down seeing plenty of the ball play, became scrappy and disjointed. Odd Down picked up a couple of early bookings with right back Jaiden Savery blocking a Smith run and central defender Kevin Davies tripping Rosenquest, halting his strong run forward. Odd Down continued to have plenty of possession and be the better passing side without really threatening with Parkway being restricted to the occasional counter attack. On 57 minutes Smith was put through on the right but his shot lacked power or direction. Odd Down's Callum Gould was replaced by Reeko Best on 58 minutes as they continued to attack forcing Parkway on to the defensive. On the hour a Krac free kick to the far post was was headed narrowly wide by Farkins with the challenging Davies landing awkwardly, remaining down and unable to move. After a lengthy delay of around 10 minutes and attention from staff and physios from both sides, Davis was stretchered off and replaced by Jake Sinclair with Jake Elliot dropping from midfield into the back four.

 

Once play had resumed, Odd Down continued to dominate possession with their keeper George Dorrington yet to be tested in the second half. On 66 minutes Jack Rhead replaced Afful with a Lowry break then setting up Krac who fired over from a rare Parkway attack. Sam Hillson picked up a yellow card on 73 minutes for kicking the ball away as Parkway began to show frustration with Odd Down continuing to move the ball around well but lacking the vital cutting edge. On 84 minutes a Parkway break saw a Smith cross well controlled by Carter who set up Rosenquest whose shot went just over. Odd Down almost pulled a goal back on 85 minutes when, after a series of corners which Parkway failed to clear, they saw a close range shot cannon off the underside of the bar and eventually cleared. Jordan Annear replaced Carter on 88 minutes as the game entered what would be a lengthy period of stoppage time. Annear almost made an immediate impact a couple of minutes later when more good work by Rosanquest put him in the clear only to see his well placed strike blocked by Dorrington for arguably his first real save of the half with Krac just failing to connect with the loose ball. Odd Down continued to press with Krac receiving a yellow card for dissent on 94 minutes and Farkins heading off the line from a free kick on 96 as the game finally came to it's conclusion.

 

A patchy performance from Parkway who were well in control for the first half an hour only to lose their way somewhat after Odd Down clawed their way back into the game without really threatening. However they hung on, dug deep, defended well and won ugly to gain the 3 points that keeps them at the top of the table by a single point. With Willand Rovers and Bitton beating the bottom 2 clubs Shortwood and Hengrove 6-0 and 6-1 respectively, the title race remains tight and tense with a fluctuating goal difference after today's scores. With an ambulance arriving just after the end of the game, it is hoped that Odd Down's Kevin Davies is not too seriously injured and he makes a speedy recovery. Parkway return to Bolitho Park on Good Friday for their local derby (33 miles) with Buckland Athletic the visitors (kick off 1pm) where they will look to maintain their title challenge, hopefully with a fuller squad being available.

 

MANY THANKS TO OUR TRAVELLING SUPPORT FOR THIS FIXTURE AND TO GRAHAM LLOYD FOR ANOTHER SUPERB REPORT

[Rob1978]

Thanks for report 👍🏻