ROMSEY V PARKWAY - MATCH REPORT

[RobinVanParkway]

FT: Romsey Town 1 (Dunn pen 90+3) Plymouth Parkway 3 (Carter 35, 63, M. Williams 67)

PARKWAY PROGRESS IN FA VASE AT RESOLUTE ROMSEY

 

With Saturday’s visit to Romsey Town in the 1st round of the FA Vase being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Parkway, along with around 25 of the faithful, made the midweek 300 mile round trip in the rescheduled fixture. One change was made in midfield from the last game at Hallen with Elliot Ward replacing Jack Calver who was among the substitutes. Nick Milton had also recovered from an injury sustained after a nasty challenge on him at Hallen.

 

The game got off to a high tempo start with Romsey’s James Clifton turning sharply on 4 minutes and shooting just wide from around 18 yards. Parkway responded with Adam Carter seeing a shot blocked by home keeper Charlie Philpott after good work on the right by Mikey Williams. On 10 minutes another cross from the right saw Aaron Bentley head just over as Parkway gradually began to impose themselves and gain control in midfield. With Shane Krac and Billy Palfrey prominent and Ward also looking comfortable in possession, a counter attack on 17 minutes saw Carter release Palfrey whose close range effort was once again blocked by Philpott. Romsey continued to compete well, looking dangerous on the counter and almost took the lead on 25 minutes.

 

A misplaced Parkway pass in midfield saw the impressive and pacey Clifton break clear, round Parkway keeper Kyle Moore only to be denied a golden goalscoring opportunity by a superb covering tackle almost on the goal line from the imperious Rob Farkins. Parkway continued to dominate possession with Romsey competing well and posing the occasional threat forcing Parkway to defend well. Parkway continued to create the clearer chances with Williams shooting over on 28 minutes after good play by Krac. A break along the right on 30 minutes saw a Bentley cross headed clear with the loose ball falling to Ryan Lane whose snap shot from 20 yards was blocked. With Parkway now looking more threatening, Carter had another half chance on 31 minutes with his scuffed shot being easily smothered by the increasingly busy Philpott. With Parkway looking dangerous down both flanks with Williams and Jordan Copp to the fore, they took the lead on 35 minutes. A strong run along the left by Lane saw him release Krac who got to the bye line and squared the ball to Carter who pounced to finish clinically from close range.

 

The hosts immediately replaced right back Luke Benali, son of former Southampton defender Francis Benali, with Mason Goddard. Parkway continued to create chances with Romsey defending solidly and Clifton continuing to look lively causing occasional problems to Parkway with Milton and Farkins proving a formidable central defensive pairing. Palfrey continued to be influential seeing his shot well saved on 40 minutes after good link up play with Carter. Approaching half time Romsey’s Goddard received the game’s first yellow card and on 45 minutes Parkway almost doubled their lead. A superb cross field ball from Krac to Williams on the left saw him cut in and shoot from a tight angle with Philpott making another fine block. A good half from Parkway who created numerous chances and had their finishing been more clinical, could have been further ahead.

 

Romsey continued to work hard, compete and defend well and at just the single goal behind still firmly in the game. A Parkway break early in the second half saw a shot from Krac saved before a period of Romsey possession and pressure saw them create chances on 48 and 50 minutes when they should have scored with Parkway now being forced to defend strongly and in numbers. Clifton continued to be the focus of Romsey’s attack and his dangerous cross cum shot went narrowly wide. Parkway took a while to reimpose themselves and on 53 minutes Clifton again went close with a smart effort well held by Moore. On 55 minutes a penetrating run into the 6 yard box by Williams saw strong claims for a penalty waved away and Williams strangely booked for simulation. Williams was in the action again on the hour when a great run and cross from the left by Copp saw him head over when well placed.

 

More Parkway pressure on 62 minutes saw Carter crowded out in the 18 yard box with the ball eventually dropping to Krac whose shot was well saved by Philpott. Harry Draycott was then booked for a foul on 63 minutes before 2 goals in 5 minutes by Parkway took the game away from the hosts. A fine passage of play on the left between Lane and the increasingly influential Copp saw a deep cross headed back across the goal by Farkins to find the prolific Carter stooping low to nod home from close range. On 67 minutes a fine piece of defending deep inside his own half by Milton saw him release Copp whose precision long range cross field ball from the left found the unmarked Williams whose great first touch saw him cut inside and calmly slide a shot into the far corner giving Philpott no chance.

 

Parkway immediately made a double substitution with Calver and Teigan Rosenquest replacing Copp and Elliot both of whom had had impressive games. Further substitutions followed with Jack Darnton replacing Lewis Nash for the hosts on 70 minutes and Fletcher Williams replacing the hard working Krac on 75. Parkway continued to push forward with Mikey Williams claiming a goal on 77 minutes after his powerful strike hit the bar and bounced down before being cleared away. No goal line technology here! Rosenquest then sliced wide from close range on 80 minutes after another Mikey Williams shot had been parried away by Philpott. Parkway continued on the offensive and on 85 minutes a fine through ball by Calver released Mikey Williams one on one with Philpott only for the young keeper to spread himself and make a fine save with his feet. With the Parkway tempo dropping and them looking to see the game out, Romsey finished the game on the front foot winning a penalty in stoppage time. After a Romsey player was seemingly bundled over by Farkins in a crowded penalty area, Geoff Dunn confidently hammered home the spot kick to deny Parkway another clean sheet.

 

A hard working, competent performance from Parkway against a resilient Romsey side who competed well throughout, continued to try and play their football in the correct manner and acquitted themselves very well against a side from a higher league. But for some wayward finishing and inspired goalkeeping the margin of victory could have been wider but credit must be given to Romsey for their part in an entertaining game. No sign of Matt Le Tissier tonight who I’m told often watches Romsey’s home games. Parkway will visit Hampshire again on Saturday 2 November in the next round when they take on fellow step 5 side Brockenhurst from the Wessex Premier League. Brockenhurst currently lie second in the league so a tough encounter is envisaged. Also on the night Bradford Town leapfrogged Parkway to the top of the table after an emphatic 6-1 victory over Brislington to put them 2 points clear. The games continue thick and fast for Parkway as Shepton Mallet visit Bolitho Park on Saturday followed by a short trip to Newton Abbot on Tuesday when they visit old rivals Buckland Athletic. For anyone still awake and remotely interested, today’s little coach jaunt started from Bolitho Park at 2.30pm finally returning with most of the players onboard, after the obligatory overnight M5/A38 roadworks diversions, at 2.15am! Wonder how many sickies were thrown today?

 

[TheolderIgetthebetterIwas]

And imagine if you had to go to the end of Cornwall! 

No wonder no-one takes promotion. 

[RobinVanParkway]

I would just like to point out that Romsey is only 16 miles further than our away trip to Bitton in Bristol...it just seems further as you are heading East thru the counties instead of Northish towards Bristol, up and over the top on the ring road and then back on yourself. A really good trip up and although it was a late return ( and you cant do much about the road works, lets face they need doing) everyone had a good time with no complaints...looking forward now to our away day in to the New Forrest to play Brockenhurst in a couple of weeks time ..seats are going quickly 

RVP

[TheolderIgetthebetterIwas]

2 hours ago, TheolderIgetthebetterIwas said:

And imagine if you had to go to the end of Cornwall! 

No wonder no-one takes promotion. 

Confused.  General comment on the additional travelling required by the more Western teams in Cornwall, although I know it was not a league match.

FA Vase are a bit of a one or two off and make a nice change from the same old places, but every week...dunnaw.