Parkway Youth Round Up
6 - Parkway Colts 2 - Horrabridge
It’s been a fantastic season so far for Parkway Colts who are yet to taste defeat in the league and on Saturday, Horrabridge looked to break that unbeaten mould.
With almost every game Parkway have started this season, it was frantic with Parkway building into the game slowly with elements of skill and teamwork beginning to shine through. Alfie would look to continue his goal scoring form and along with Kit, both came close as the scoreline remained goalless.
With the game evenly poised, it would be Kit who found the breakthrough as his pace left him one on one with the keeper and a cool finish would see Parkway lead at the break.
The second half started with more purpose amongst the Yellows who would look to kill the game early. Evan would take the game by the scruff of the neck with a fine run and finish to put the home side 2-0 up.
Parkway looked comfortable for the next 15 minutes but 2-0 is a precarious scoreline as the home side were unsure whether to stick or twist. They did neither and Horrabridge broke and a fine finish would see them right back in the fixture. Moments later, a penalty would be awarded to Bridge and another cool finish under pressure would see Parkway squander a 2-goal advantage and leave Bridge in the ascendancy.
Parkway were unbeaten for a reason, and despite the setback, it kicked them into another gear. Kit who looked dangerous on the wing all morning would show great strength and a cool head to restore Parkway’s advantage. Riley would double the lead for a second time after a superb cross would see the striker find the net as he wheeled away to celebrate with his teammates.
Parkway would not squander a lead for a second time and Alfie would make sure of all three points with not one but two fine strikes as Parkway’s quality came to the forefront in the final quarter of the game to seal all three points.
4 - Parkway 6 - Hunter's
If ever there was a game of two halves, this was it. Parkway were excellent first half and played in a style and tempo that has epitomised the season so far. The game looked to be settled, but credit must go to Hunters for their second half performance, and they deservedly won the game.
After Parkway netted the 4th to make it 4-2 manager Lee Sheldon thought the game was wrapped up: “It felt as if we were in total control of the match. We were deservedly ahead after total domination in the first half. The final 20mins was a capitulation and strange after playing so well and hunters were ruthless in front of goal and too their chances.”
Despite the defeat, there were many positives to take for the young squad who are still understanding and learning both the technical and emotional side of the game. It was a game of moments for the squad. For the final 20 minutes of the first half, the team played some fantastic football and could have easily found the net if not for some fine goalkeeping and good defending. The second half was arguably the most difficult and disappointing of the season to date as Sheldon believes it will be a learning curve for the squad: “Overall, going to write that second half off, apart from Isaacs goal from Ted’s pass. First half we showed just how much we’ve come on and how much ability we have as a team. We massively missed Elijah and Louis today, no doubt. Maybe in the end the energy levels and subs that they had available played a big part. Never mind, we will never move away from our style and philosophy to pass the ball well and play in the right way, just sometimes we are our own worst enemies and need a little more grit in the less glamorous side of the game! Heads up and go again after the winter break.”
0 - Goals Soccer School 4 - Plymouth Parkway
Parkway went into this game knowing that a win would move them to the summit of the league and one point clear of their opponents with two games in hand over them.
On a very windy Saturday lunchtime, Parkway were playing with the wind so they knew they had the advantage, chances were coming, and parkway kept pushing but couldn’t find a way past the Goals keeper.
It took 15 minutes for Leo Orford to break the deadlock and put Parkway one up. More chances came but again, the Yellows couldn’t find a way past the Goals Keeper. However, in the 21st minute the game would witness something special as Alfie Chambers hit a shot from the halfway line going over the top of the keeper to double Parkway’s lead.
The 2nd half started in very similar fashion to the 1st but this time the wind would be against Parkway, so they knew they had a task ahead of them.
Chances came from both sides but some good goalkeeping from Parkway keeper Tye Roberts kept the ball out of the Parkway net, Goals kept knocking on the door, but Alfie Chambers and Gideon Headlam kept Goals striker and the league’s top scorer Bobby Nash at bay and cutting down his chances,
Despite Goals searching for a way back into the game it would be Parkway who would strike another hammer blow as Leo Orford hit his 2nd of the game and Parkway’s 3rd.
Parkway kept knocking on the door with chances from Jayden Tranter, Ernie Scott, Leo Orford and Laiton Willsher but they couldn’t put the ball away.
You can’t keep a good striker down for long and Leo Orford, now full of confidence would seal his hat-trick and all three points moving Parkway to the top of the table.
Manager Mark Smith said after the game that he was very proud of his players and their passing and teamwork has been great and hopes for it to continue for the rest of the season.
Parkway next face Drake youth at Chaucer Way on 4th December 10:30 Kick Off.
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