PARKWAY V CHIPPING SODBURY -MATCH REPORT

[RobinVanParkway]

FT: Plymouth Parkway 5 (Calver 18, 53, Krac 36, 80, Williams 86) Chipping Sodbury Town 2 ( Brown 47, 72)

PARKWAY KEEP CHIPPING AWAY

Despite heavy rain overnight which continued well into the morning, the game went ahead albeit in tricky, blustery and heavy conditions with frequent showers during the game. In recognition of remembrance weekend, the Exhortation and Last Post were broadcast over the p a followed by an impeccably observed minute’s silence. A hardy crowd of 157 had braved the elements with Parkway showing 2 changes from last week’s FA Vase victory with Elliot Ward and Teigan Rosenquest replacing Jordan Copp and the Parkway Supporters Club player of the month for September Billy Palfrey.

 

Parkway made a confident start and created an early chance against the league’s bottom side with Rosenquest seeing his effort blocked. With both teams taking time to adapt to the conditions, the visitors forced the game’s first corner on 10 minutes with a deflected shot from the edge of the 18 yard box being well saved by Kyle Moore. Parkway gradually imposed themselves on the game with midfielder Shane Krac seeing plenty of the ball and dictating play in midfield without creating too many clear cut chances. Chipping Sodbury were content to defend deep and pack the midfield denying Parkway space in key areas. Mikey Williams made a strong run from the right ending with his shot being blocked before Parkway took the lead on 18 minutes. Good build up play along the right saw the ball laid back to Jack Calver who rifled home a superb strike from around 25 yards which deceived Kieren Provis in the visitor’s goal.

 

Parkway continued to dominate possession but their final ball often lacked quality as the visitors continued to defend well and look to play on the counter. On 23 minutes Laurie Howorth broke clear on the left with Moore doing well to save his shot as Parkway struggled to get too much forward momentum despite having the lion’s share of possession. On 26 minutes a sharp turn and shot from Adam Carter saw Provis make a fine save with his feet as the hosts continued to press. A period of Chipping Sodbury pressure saw a good build up down the right with Moore parrying a shot away on 34 minutes. From the resultant corner, the ball came back to Ewan McMillan who fired wildly over from around 18 yards. Parkway then doubled their lead on 36 minutes. After a patient build up involving some neat and tidy link play, the ball was laid back to Krac who let fly from around 30 yards leaving Provis flat footed. As the pressure increased Parkway were awarded a penalty on 38 minutes. A smart interchange along the left between Krac and Rosenquest saw the latter brought down by Provis however the normally reliable Carter saw his weak spot kick well saved by Provis who had guessed the direction correctly.

Parkway suffered a blow on 40 minutes with Aaron Bentley, in attempting to meet a low cross at the far post, unfortunately sliding into the post and having to be stretchered off with Palfrey coming on in an uncustomary right back position.

 

A workmanlike half from Parkway who should probably have made more of their possession and been more ruthless in key areas with the visitors rarely threatening and seemingly content to contain. Chipping Sodbury caught Parkway napping early in the second half pulling a goal back on 47 minutes with a corner from the left being headed home by the unchallenged Nathan Brown. With conditions deteriorating, the game went through a scrappy phase with neither side able to get any fluency into their play and both defences dealing comfortably with the occasional threat. In a rare moment of quality and control, Parkway restored their 2 goal lead on 53 minutes. A neat exchange between Krac and Williams set up Calver who once again showed his shooting ability from range by firing home a low shot from around 25 yards.

 

Louis Beezer received the game’s first yellow card on 55 minutes and from the resultant free kick by Calver, Rob Farkins headed just over. Parkway’s Nick Milton then followed Beezer into the book as the visitors belied their lowly position by continuing to compete well and play some neat, attractive football but lacking the necessary penetration.. On the hour Jonathan Envernissi and Danon Dagbo replaced Beezer and Jack Moore respectively for the visitors with the hosts sending on Craig Duff for Carter who by his own high standards had not been at his best. Chipping Sodbury continued to plug away and reduced the lead again on 72 minutes. Brown broke away on the right and, with Parkway appealing for offside, he cut inside and beat Moore with an angled low drive for his second of the game.

 

They then had a short period in the ascendancy causing a few anxious moments in the Parkway defence before the hosts restored their two goal relieving some growing tension around the ground. A long ball found Duff clear on the right who displayed good balance and determination by getting to the bye line and squaring the ball to the supporting Krac who, arriving late, fired high into the roof of the net from 5 yards. Chipping Sodbury made their final substitution on 82 minutes with Mohad Aliamohamed replacing McMillan. Rosenquest then made a fast break on the left with Krac just straying offside followed by Ryan Lane surging forward only to be brought down just outside the 18 yard box with the free kick coming to nothing.

 

Parkway finally sealed the game on 86 minutes when another probing long ball found Williams racing clear along the right and showing good skill he drove into the penalty area and curled a shot around Provis from around 10 yards. With underfoot conditions a leveller, Parkway put in a hardworking, dogged performance against spirited opponents who never gave up but with a more direct approach may well have won by a greater margin and not allowed their opponents to twice reduce the deficit to a single goal.

 

The win sees Parkway remain in second place, now only 3 points behind Bradford Town with a game in hand and a superior goal difference. Parkway continue their busy November with a rearranged visit to Exmouth Town on Wednesday in the first round of the Les Phillips League Cup before returning to Bolitho Park on Saturday when ninth placed Bitton are the visitors. Being only one of the two league fixtures to survive the weather today, massive credit must be given to groundsman Gaz Turner and Pete White for their considerable efforts in ensuring the game went ahead despite the recent heavy, persistent rain.

 

Many thanks as always to Graham Lloyd