PARKWAY V BRIDPORT - MATCH REPORT

[RobinVanParkway]

FT: Plymouth Parkway 3 (Duff 16, Carter 35,39)
Bridport 1 (Pinder 30)

PARKWAY PREVAIL OVER PLUCKY BRIDPORT

After their chastening defeat to Exmouth Town in the Les Phillips League Cup 1st Round on Wednesday, Parkway looked to respond by bouncing back in the league against the visitors of Bridport. Making 6 changes from the Exmouth game, Parkway fielded virtually their strongest starting 11 with Aaron Bentley moving to the centre of defence, brother Jordan coming in at right back for his debut and Rob Farkins dropping to the bench.

 

A crowd of 164 saw Parkway make the sharper start with Ryan Lane making an early break forward and Mikey Williams firing over on 6 minutes. However it was Bridport who almost took the lead on 7 minutes when, from a free kick, central defender Andy Holmes saw his header clip the top of the crossbar and drop behind. With both sides moving the ball well and at pace, a slick move involving Jack Calver, Shane Krac and Lane ended with Adam Carter blasting over just before being flagged offside. With Bridport looking to play on the counter, Parkway were given another scare on 11 minutes when Sam Handyside broke clear only for his angled drive to strike a post before being cleared to safety.

 

With Parkway gradually taking control, they took the lead on 16 minutes. A smart exchange of passes through midfield set up Craig Duff who cleverly created space with his rising drive being finger tipped over by Scott Wells-Burr. Duff was not to be denied and from the resultant corner curled in from the right by Calver, Duff timed his jump perfectly and rose the highest to powerfully head home from inside the 6 yard area. Parkway continued to exert pressure with Krac and Calver prompting and probing from midfield with Williams and Jordan Copp looking dangerous along the flanks. Bridport continued to compete well in midfield, defend in numbers and look to counter attack however it was Parkway who almost doubled their lead on 23 minutes. Good build up between Calver and Duff released Carter who turned and blasted an effort against the bar with the goal at his mercy.

 

On 26 minutes Krac saw his snapshot saved at full stretch by Wells-Burr as Parkway increased their dominance. Calver then saw his cross cum shot from the right palmed behind by the keeper. Bridport continued to hold their own and drew level on the half hour after a Parkway defensive error. Copp was dispossessed by Tony Pinder level with the 18 yard area on the right with Pinder then surging into the area and beating Kyle Moore with an angled drive low down at his near post. Parkway quickly restored their lead when on 35 minutes a pinpoint diagonal pass from Krac released Lane on the left who powered forward at pace, beat his man cleverly, did well to stay on his feet and drove a low cross into the danger area where Carter pounced to slide home from 3 yards.

 

Bridport continued to look neat and tidy in midfield, moving the ball forward swiftly at times and on 36 minutes only a superbly timed covering block tackle inside the penalty area by Aaron Bentley denied Max Westlake a shot on goal. Duff then sliced his shot wide after good work by Carter before Parkway increased their lead on 39 minutes. Good work by Copp on the left saw his accurate cross pick out the unmarked Carter who deftly chested the ball into the roof of the net from point blank range. The half ended with another flowing Parkway move with Carter and Duff yet again linking well to set up Williams who skied his effort over from close range. An entertaining half with Parkway looking the stronger outfit but Bridport also having their moments and being unlucky by striking the woodwork on two occasions. Parkway however could and should have added further goals had their finishing being more clinical and their final ball more precise.

 

Parkway made a lightening start to the second half with Duff and Krac prominent firstly setting up Carter who saw a close range effort blocked followed by Krac firing just wide on 48 minutes. Williams then saw his shot blocked after good work by Calver. Teigan Rosenquest replaced Copp on 50 minutes followed closely by Gary McCauley replacing Westlake for the visitors. Despite Parkway continuing to dominate possession, the tempo of the game dropped with neither side able to create any clear chances. Billy Palfrey replaced the tireless Krac on 58 minutes with the captain’s armband being passed to Calver for the first time. More good link up play between Duff and Carter on 71 minutes saw the latter fire just over as play became disjointed and lacking quality in the final third. Bridport made a double substitution on 75 minutes with Dec Cornish and Lewis Clarke being replaced by Jacob Coombs and Riley Greenwood-Neate.

 

Coombs almost made an immediate impact shooting just over after on 77 minutes after a good passage of play down the visitor’s right however the Parkway defence remained solid dealing competently with the occasional threat from Bridport. A determined run from Williams on 78 minutes then set up Duff who scooped his shot over when well placed. Calver continued to impress in midfield with his quality and range of passing, constantly spraying diagonal balls to team mates in wide areas as Parkway continued to press. Antonio Costa replaced the hard working goal machine Carter on 80 minutes as the tempo of the game slowed even further and becoming rather flat. Calver fired a free kick just over from 30 yards on 85 minutes with the final action seeing Palfrey go clear in stoppage time only to be thwarted by the onrushing keeper who saved well with his legs.

 

Despite their tempo and intensity gradually dropping in the second half, a solid, workmanlike performance from Parkway against a spirited Bridport who played some neat football at times, worked hard, competed well throughout and with a bit of luck might have got something from the game. The win keeps Parkway in second place, 3 points behind and with a game in hand over Bradford Town who had a narrow 1-0 victory at Buckland Athletic today and 5 points clear of third placed Clevedon Town having played 3 games less. Parkway continue their busy December schedule with a tough looking visit to Buckland on Tuesday where a victory would see them leapfrog Bradford and go back to the top of the table on goal difference. They are then on the road again on Saturday with a visit to Brislington.

 

Match report courtesy of Graham Lloyd