Parkway Youth Round Up
0 - Plymouth Parkway Colts 1 - Hunter's
By Emma Hermon-Wright.
Missing a number of players today, Colts came to this important game with some nerves. Freddy, Joey, and Oscar opened the game well working hard on defence, covering each other well and limiting the stand in keeper to only a few smart saves.
Some driving runs from Maison and Kit on the wing, but the final product would be missing as Parkway searched for the opening goal.
However, Hunters forwards had a lot of play and space and finally after a beautiful strike from Maison was unfortunately saved by the Hunters goalie, Parkways goalie had to step into play, saving two shots on goal before it spun into the back of the net.
The Parkway keeper saved a couple of early shots in the second half and whilst they had some exciting runs at times, it was Hunters that ran the show initially after the break and Parkway had to deploy a more defensive strategy.
A few personal switches in position and the game came alive gain. Parkway became more attacking in their approach as Kit and Alfie looked dangerous at times. A cross as practised at training this week was close to finding Freddie’s head as the minutes ticked away.
The last ten minutes were productive for Parkway as they started to take charge and successfully won a number of corners and dominated the game entirely but when the ref refused what many believed was a clear penalty as a player was pulled down in a goal scoring opportunity, it felt like the game was against them and despite a couple more efforts to equalise, it wasn’t meant to be.
2 - Plymouth Marjon 4 - Plymouth Parkway Colts
By Joe Pulley
First half. We started brightly, getting joy in behind Marjon. We went back to Rome and Dennis up front with Liam playing in midfield breaking in between the lines supporting the front 2. It was working well.
For 1-0 and a deserved lead, we worked the ball out wide right to Dennis, he crossed the ball in which didn’t find his target, but Kingsley came in on the edge of the box on the left-hand side to score the best goal I have seen this season. He hit it first time on the bounce with his left foot which flew into the top corner. An unbelievable finish from an outstanding player.
For 2-0, Kingsley broke through midfield and then played a nice pass to Rome who done so well to hit the bar with his left foot which Liam followed up to head in. We had more chances to extend our lead but couldn’t take our chances.
Marjon had a spell which they got into the game more. A few corners and attacks which eventually led to them scoring a lucky goal which Archie had no chance with. 2-1. Half time.
At the break, we asked the boys to not play in a way that means we were holding on to a 2-1 lead. We wanted to score more goals and show we are a better team than Marjon. That’s exactly what they did.
Second half, we were brilliant. We could have scored 6-7 in that half easily. Kingsley and Lucas ran the show in midfield and Liam, Dennis and Rome were too much for Marjon to deal with up top.
Against the run of play Marjon equalised to make it 2-2. We have been here plenty of times, 2-0 up to then lose games. Marjon did exactly that to us this season. Not today though.
The boys showed unbelievable character to pick themselves up and keep pushing Marjon back. For 3-2, Kings played a brilliant through ball to Dennis who was so cool to blast the ball bottom corner to put us back in the lead. The whole team jumped on Dennis absolutely buzzing.
For 4-2, a corner came back to Kingsley who was so patient waiting for a gap to shoot. Beat 2 players in a crowded box to then smash it home and put the game to bed.
Marjon then got a penalty which should never have been given only for our super keeper to comfortably save to keep it 4-2. Well done, Archie.
Game over. What a win. What a team. Unbelievable group of boys that are a joy to work with.
1 - Plymouth Parkway 3 - Saltash United
By Vicky Ware
Parkway welcomed Saltash Utd for the first time this season in the semi-final of the League cup.
The two teams had not met this season due to a fixture backlog and both teams were coming into this game on the back of two successful wins. Parkway had the better of the two teams record with not conceding any goals, whilst Saltash had conceded 4, although it would be fair to say that Parkway had not been playing at their best in recent weeks.
This set the tie up for the spectators and parents, where there would be the potential for lots of goals with attacking play from both teams.
Parkway got the game under way with an initial advantage of kicking slightly downhill on a hard pitch but with very little wind to contend with which had been a real factor in previous weeks.
The first half brought about a reasonable amount of caution from both teams with Parkway being the more dominant in attacking play. Whilst Parkway had lots of endeavour in the middle of the park, Saltash always seem to be there in numbers to break down any play that Parkway tried to create for themselves. The first shot on target came from Saltash after a loose ball in midfield but there was very little concern for Finley Roberts in goal who made a good save.
Parkway continued to try the same tact of driving with the ball in midfield with runs from Marley Krac and Josh Bernard which were being matched by a superb effort from the Saltash midfield. Majority of the play was being drawn to being played down the left-hand side of the pitch but when this was infrequently switched to Parkways right side it seemed to give Saltash more work to contend with.
As Parkway were slow in their passing and so often picked off in possession, defender Archie Wall went long and a direct pass to Rio Daley was well controlled who then passed to forward Finley Walker who turned the defender and hit a strong left footed shot into the corner of the Saltash net.
The first half remained not overly entertaining with a half-hearted penalty appeal turned down for Parkway and a sin bin for Cohen Newitt leaving Parkway to complete a below par first half with 10 men but 1-0 up.
The second half commenced as the first had previously left off with a cautionary start by both teams. Saltash were the better team and were breaking downplay continually by pouncing on the Parkway team who were slow in their passing. Saltash’s quick forward Ellis Fortin controlled a through ball which he ran towards goal getting on the goal side of Parkways defender Liam Blackwell. A collision between the two in the penalty box resulted in a penalty given to the ‘Ashes but this sparked some heated debates about a previously turned down appeal from Parkway in the first half. Daniel Alford stepped up and calmly put his shot home by sending the Parkway goalkeeper the wrong way.
Saltash seem to now have their tails up and had good amounts of possession causing various mistakes by the Parkway team. Parkway only had a couple of chances on goal from Rio Daley and Finley Walker both shooting wide and other corners being sent into the box but so often easily dealt with by the Saltash keeper and his defence.
Passages of play by both teams ensued and Parkway were rocked once again by an exquisite finish from Saltash’s Connor Trewin who calmly lobbed the keeper from just outside the penalty box. Parkway then suffered injuries to Archie Wall (Knee) and Mason Elliot (Head) which seem to affect Parkways play.
In the final 15 minutes Saltash seem to have sealed the win with another superb finish by Ellis Fortin who twisted and turned the Parkway fullback to then chip the keeper to make it 3-1. There was sadly very little reaction form the Parkway team in the final minutes leaving Saltash worthy winners of this semi- final fixture.
Parkway have 5 remaining games, two of which are against Saltash and despite their top of the table position, will need to refocus to attain any silverware this year.
2 - Elburton Villa 2 - Plymouth Parkway
By Micky Fallon
In a pulsating top of the table clash, Parkway travelled to Haye Road to take on Elburton Villa. It was an edgy first half with both teams trying to take control of the game with limited chances being created either end. Elburton carved out the best chance of the game and somehow the ball stayed out the goal from 2 yards, but shortly after Elburton did take the lead when a good low ball in the six-yard box was eventually turned in at the far post.
Late in the first half Parkway could of drew level, Dalton hardy flashing a header inch wide. At half time Parkway made a change in formation that inevitably changed the game. Parkway started the second half strong, controlling the midfield and eventually that control paid off. Dalton Hardy pounced on a sided through ball and take the ball in his stride before lading home the equaliser. Parkway were on top now and shortly after took the lead, another threaded ball cut the Elburton defence apart and Shay Millen calmly cut inside to calmly slide the ball past the advancing keeper.
Parkway controlled the 2nd half, looking resolute in defence with Oscar Fallon putting in a performance beyond his years to sweep the Elburton attacks aside. The game looked to be going in Parkways favour but with 5 minutes left, Elburton got a free kick 25 yards out. I’m what can only be described as one of the best free kicks I’ve seen in youth football, Freddie Chapman fizzed his free kick into the top right-hand corner to earn Elburton a point.
Both sides pressed for a winner, but it was all square at the final whistle. Great performance from the boys and onwards to a big six pointer against League leaders Callington next week.
1- Chaddlewood Miners 3 - Plymouth Parkway
By Adam Castlehouse
Parkway Partners
