Parkway Youth Round Up
9 - Plymouth Parkway Colts 0 - Morley Rangers
It would be the boy Alfie who would steal the show as Parkway’s unbeaten season continued in emphatic style against Morley Rangers.
An untidy start to the game from both sides with both sets of players playing loose passes as either team found it hard to gain any sort of momentum. Parkway, like they have done for large parts of the season would slowly go through the gears as neat play between Kit and Evan would leave a Morley player finding his own next and giving the Yellows the advantage.
With the goal came confidence as Oscar tried his luck from distance forcing a good save from the keeper only to leave Evan to find the net from close range. Moments later, fine work from Kit out wide would result in a fine ball for Alfie to finish with confidence. Parkway would be in total control and Oscar added to Morley’s woes as he made it 4-o with a confident finish as Parkway led 4-1 at the break.
The second half would continue in the same vein and thus began the Alfie show as he began with a trademark finish from outside the box. The striker would complete his hat-trick after good work from Will and it became 7 from the restart with Mason A getting his name on the scoresheet.
The closing moments would see a further two goals as Jack would make a smart stop in goal and release Oscar through the middle to finish well. The scoring was completed by Alfie who found space and full of confidence, found the top corner and cap of a fine display on a cold Saturday morning.
1 - Swift FC 10 - Plymouth Parkway
Words and Reaction by Parkway boss Lee Sheldon
Swift went 1-0 up and deservedly so. Parkway were taking unnecessary risks on the edge of our own box and kept on giving the opposition the ball and eventually they made us pay.
We were making things complicated when it just needed a little spell of possession. The pitch was nice and big and a couple of penetrating Elijah through balls saw the impressive roman have some early sighters on goal.
After a frustrating start, the hardworking Isaac won the ball back high up in the corner and squared to roman for a tap in, was a nice cross from Isaac. It was soon 2-1, Isaac this time trying his luck from distance and the keeper maybe making a mistake and the ball going through him.
We started to pick the pace and intensity of our play up and the introduction of Louis P certainly helped this.
Max after a slightly casual start began to distribute well from our recycling of the ball and allowed us to start attacks off, turning pressure into an attack.
It was soon 3-1. He still had to be switched on to make a couple of smart saves second half from swift counter attacks. Semas was turning and spinning, and again in our opinion maybe a little too much but he has great quality as we know. He notched with a thunderbolt of a strike, after more positive play down the right by Isaac.
Teddy played on the periphery of the game first half, but second half really set the standard playing in a different role off the left. His short passing game is fantastic, and it was pleasing to see him hold onto the ball a little longer and then find a yellow shirt to set up attacks.
Swift still offered counter attacks and we needed jack and Henry to cover. Henry’s display second half was immaculate, and he ran our eventual mom very close, he’s a colossus back there for us and just looks in total control, although we did pick up on an attempted back heel in front of his own goal that he just about got away with, another dominant display. He covered everything and is that insurance policy you can always guarantee on.
Jack really grew into the game and had a couple of trademark Jack runs down the left and he combined well with Teddy second half. So defensively astute to cover, sensing any danger with a couple of great sliding tackles to clear.
Roman was now having lots of one on ones and there some nicely weighted through balls coming from midfield. Roman is a boy in top form and playing with some real confidence, he is such a natural finisher. He took his goals expertly today, and particularly liked the composure in front of goal where he is taking the GK on!
Elijah was full of that typical determination we see. He knows what we are going to say though, I just want to see the magic and then pick his head up to play, would make him an even better player. He is the first to react if he does give it away though and does it with such endeavour.
Second half a prime example of this where he tried to tackle on the floor with his head, not once but twice will be a big miss next weekend.
Semas came back in and was picking the simpler passes that created loads more opportunities for the team, he is the pivot for us and joins us up all over the pitch.
Really felt for both Danon and Louie T, who tried valiantly but both looked very pale and not 100%, so we decided to rest them and not take any risks. We hope all the boys who are poorly are feeling better soon!
2 - Plymouth Parkway 1 - MAP
The long-awaited rescheduled fixture against the divisions two top sides would be played in front of a healthy crowd but a deteriorating pitch at Sheridan Road. Parkway’s unbeaten record would be on the line and MAP would look to hit top gear after disappointing results in recent weeks.
In tricky conditions, both teams looked to play football and Parkway’s midfield would start brightly and created a few half chances that would not trouble the MAP keeper. MAP would revert to a more direct style of play to nullify the Parkway midfield and it would see the away side take the lead. A carefully guide free kick from outside the area would cause confusion inside the box leaving Tom Upton of MAP to open the scoring.
The goal would kickstart Parkway and moments later the home side would draw level. Josh Bernard’s perfectly weighted pass would find inform striker Finley Walker control the ball with his right and switch it to his left before superbly finding the net and give Parkway parity in the game.
The game was being played with desire, skill and physicality and MAP could have levelled before the break as a former Parkway striker would shoot wide after being well placed in front of goal leaving the scoreline all level at the break.
The second half would become an even more physical affair with chances at a premium until Rio Daley took the game by the scruff of the net. The midfield would begin a trademark run from deep in his own half and after riding a few chances would eventually be hauled down in the box. The midfielder would dust himself down and find the corner of the net and give Parkway the lead for the first time in the game.
Parkway would continue to play the better football, but MAP’s battling spirit would see them firmly still in the game and create the better chances. Oliver Goodwin’s persistence up top for MAP would force a fine save from Finley Roberts Bush in the Parkway goal. The excitement was reaching fever pitch as the minutes counted down as Parkway looked to see out the game only for MAP to earn a penalty of their own after JJ Honeywell was adjudged to be fouled inside the box. Just like Daley, Honeywell would step up to take the penalty he earnt only to fire over the bar as Parkway held on to record a victory and secure all 3 points.
Vicky Ware of Parkway would say after the game: “The boys from both teams were a credit to themselves playing on such a poor surface. Parkway continue their unbeaten run and dominance in this league. Outstanding performances from the team in all areas with a stalwart defence, endeavour in the midfield and tenacity across the frontline showing that this team are continuing to deliver despite having a small squad which are carrying injuries.”
10 - Plymouth Parkway 2 - Saltash Youth
Parkway went into this game off the back of a 3-1 win against league contenders Hunters District girls. The game got underway, and it took only 2 mins for the 1st goal to come as Saltash caught Parkway on the break and slotted the ball past Tye Roberts.
Parkway battled on and, in the 6th, minute were awarded a corner. The corner was well taken by Jayden Tranter and Alfie Chambers got his head on the ball to equalise. 3 minutes later Parkway were awarded another corner and a repeat of the 1st saw Alfie Chambers once again get his head on another Jayden Tranter’s corner to put the yellows 2-1 up.
Parkway continued to press for another and in the 12th minute Jayden Tranter came close but shot wide. It was one way traffic as the yellows kept pushing and were awarded a free kick outside the Saltash penalty area. Tranter took the kick, and it went narrowly over the bar. Jayden Tranter was causing all sorts of problems for the Saltash defence as he crossed the ball for Leo Orford, but his effort would drift wide of the post. In the 23rd minute Laiton Willsher came close with a shot, but it went wide as Parkway took the advantage into the break.
Jayden Tranter was again being a menace to Saltash as he took on 4 players and got a shot away but was unfortunate to put it over the bar.
Parkway would lose Max Brockman as he collided with a Saltash defender, and he was replaced by new signing Kacper Wieczorek who has returned to Parkway after taking some time out. Tranter was again causing even more problems to Saltash as again he took on another 4 player and this time it was meant to be as he slotted it past the Ashes keeper.
Leo Orford broke away and took it past 3 ashes players to slot it home to make it 4-1 and moments later new signing Kacper Wieczorek sent the ball across the Saltash area for Ernie Scott to get a shot away hitting it past the Saltash keeper.
The game was effectively over but Parkway kept pushing and in the 16th minute Kacper Wieczorek was himself on the scoresheet after Noah Bedford assisted him.
Saltash would keep working hard and caught the Yellows defence napping to reduce the scoreline to 5-2. Ernie Scott would get Parkway ticking again as he got his name on the scoresheet again as he met a Tranter cross to head home for his 2nd of the game.
Saltash broke past the Parkway defence and seemed likely to add a 3rd but due to the brilliance of Gideon Headlam the conceded tally remained at 2 as the defender pulled of a great last-ditch tackle and clearing the ball out for a throw in.
The Ashes kept on trying and in the 24th minute broke away again and pulled a shot off but unfortunately for them they hit the post. As the game approached the final quarter, Kacper was on the scoresheet again as Ernie Scott put him through and he made no mistake in slotting it past the Ashes keeper, Jayden Tranter still being a menace and once again he took on several Saltash players and hit the ball past the Saltash keeper.
With the score sat at 9-2 Alfie Chambers was again on the score as he scored his hattrick to end the game PPYFC 10-2 Saltash.
4 - Marjon 3 - Plymouth Parkway Colts
Marjon would seal all three points from a 7-goal thriller as the match report and reaction would be given by Parkway joint manager Tom Carter.
A performance all the boys should be proud of. With Archie and Oliver missing, Harry getting injured early and Oscar going in goal against top of the league, we have shown what great character we have in this team.
First 10 minutes was the hardest start we have had this season. Playing on a massive pitch against the best side in the league took a while
to get to grips with. Marjon went 3-0 within around 20 minutes giving us a mountain to climb.
I changed shape today to a 4-2-3-1 and it took a while to settle which I expected. As we grew into the game, Connor managed to score somehow from by the corner flag which gave us a massive confidence boost and got us back in it. We had a couple more half chances in the first half and finished the half still in the game.
Second half we started brilliantly. Winning battles all over the pitch, showing courage on the ball and playing as a real unit. Lucas and Kingsley looked top drawer in midfield. They had the drive to win the ball and shown the quality they must keep it. A 10/10 second half.
Marjon then scored against the run of play to make it 4-1 and we still didn’t give up. To make it 4-2, kings skipped past around 4 players and put it top corner with his left foot. Absolute class.
Then Connor got in behind Marjon defence and lobbed the keeper from 20 yards. Another superb finish. 4-3.
We then pushed for an equaliser which unfortunately didn’t come. But we ended up winning the second half 2-1. Great effort.
With key players missing today and going 3-0 down, the work the boys put in was amazing. I have been honest that I have thought we could have done more in our last couple of league games, and today the boys had the perfect response.
If we go forward as we did today, we will see more consistent results. Everyone must know it takes hard work like today to get in our team.
We thank Joe for his words and on Sunday, Parkway Under’13’s would exit the Devon Cup as Saturday’s exploits would show as Stoke progressed winning 4-1 on the day.
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