PARKWAY V KEYNSHAM TOWN - MATCH REPORT

[RobinVanParkway]

Parkway falter at home leaving Hobbs with a few more questions to answer

By Mike Parrish

Parkway are now seven games into this seasons Toolstation Western League campaign and sit top of the tree, despite throwing away a three-goal lead at home to Keynsham Town on Saturday.

Comparisons from last season’s campaign will always be made especially when the Bolitho outfit drop points, but surely the time for comparisons are over? This seasons Parkway side, is in large, full of new faces and a new approach to plotting a course through this year’s campaign.

As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day and when points are dropped, the fingers start to wag. Saturday’s game was a prime example of the lessons this squad need to learn to see out a game against a big, strong and physical opposition.

For ten minutes either side of half time, Parkway played the style of football that has made them one of the favourites for this seasons title. After a stop start first 35 minutes, the Yellows kicked into gear and opened the scoring in fine style. Rob Farkins foray into Keynsham’s half would pave the way for Adam Carter to release Mikey Williams, who nutmegged the ball into the path of the onrushing Billy Palfrey to slot coolly past Matt Dunk in the Town goal.

Advantage Parkway as the shackles were loosened and the football began to shine at Bolitho. A quicker, more composed Parkway now looked in the mood and just before half time, Carter would be pulled down in the area leaving referee Steve Annis to point at the spot. The No.9 duly obliged as he hit his 13^thgoal of the season to see the home side 2-0 up at the break.

The second half would begin as the first ended, Parkway again looking like a team brimming with confidence with the ball being moved quickly from back to front. It was all too much for Town to deal with as they fell further behind on 49 minutes. Full back Jordan Copp, who was instrumental during Parkways best spell of the game found the by-line and floated a ball into the box that Adam Carter thrives on. The experienced striker made no mistake and finished from eight yards to surely put Parkway out of sight.

Within a matter of minutes, Keynsham would reduce the deficit as Tom Knighton slotted confidently past Kyle Moore’s near post to give Town hope. The match would enter the most crucial stage of the afternoon and the home side looked unsure whether to stick or twist. For the next 20 minutes they seemed to get caught between the two as Town kept plugging away.

A free kick on the edge of the box would lead to Keynsham’s second on 56 minutes. Moore in the Parkway goal would make a fine stop from point blank range but couldn’t do anything from the rebound which fell to Towns No.7 Cameron Rickens to fire home from eight yards.

The home side looked rattled and couldn’t find the style of football they had been showing barely ten minutes earlier as the next 20 minutes proved. Parkway, still unsure whether to push for a fourth or shut up shot would see Keynsham take advantage as Ben Harris would finish well from 20 yards to level up the game. The last 15 minutes would see Parkway try and break down a stubborn Town defence who were now full of confidence and determined not to let a point slip away. Jack Calver would see his free kick strike the foot of the post and Palfrey would have a chance from the final action of the game which would end with the points being shared.

The game was another learning curve for Hobbs’ men this season leaving the manager still with some puzzles to solve. When his players click, they look unstoppable and produce some wonderful football which was only really seen for a brief period on Saturday. They will always have that in their Arsenal, but they need to learn from today as they move forward in this seasons campaign.

A long, gruelling season, which is still in its infancy, may benefit from letting a three goal lead slip during this display. It will just need to be implemented moving forward. Next stop for Parkway will be a fierce encounter as they head to the WDS stadium next weekend to face Bitton, a side who many have tipped for the title.

 

[Ian Pethick]

Good, honest appraisal of the game. Early in the season and no reason for panic, but lessons to be learnt. Parkway always responded when questions were asked last season, need to come up with answers again in a league that looks even tougher this time around.