Club News
Parkway climbing the Incline.
PARKWAY & PRE-SEASON
Plymouth Parkway travelled to Priory Park for their penultimate pre-season fixture as they faced a familiar friend in Darren Gilbert and Bodmin Town.
Much of the talk pre-match would be about recent departures as again, the Yellow Army travelled in their masses to another away pre-season fixture. We can only thank those players again who departed for their efforts and memories they gave to the football club which was echoed from Parkway’s loyal band of supporters.
Pre-season so far has been a mixed bag in terms of fluidity. It seems an age since we travelled to Erme Valley to face a good young Ivybridge Town side. Since then, Covid restrictions and isolations would see games cancelled and training restricted. With little time to adjust to new players, a new way of thinking and new surroundings, the pre-season fixture scheduled kicked in.
The first interview with Lee Hobbs at the start of pre-season would touch on the incline the squad would hope to go on throughout the four weeks of pre-season, with the aim of a gradual build-up to peak just at the right time…
Argyle at home was a big game for the club at a new look Bolitho and for 45 mins, the management learned a lot. Tom Bath hit his first goal away to Devon neighbours Tavistock before a trip to sunny Cornwall witnessed Parkway well beaten with 10 men.
Despite the defeat, Lee Hobbs remained upbeat throughout and only focused on the good points. With training sessions now back on the agenda, Parkway turned in their best pre-season performance and with more clinical finishing, could have walked away from their home fixture with neighbours Truro City with a victory.
Travelling to Cornwall, the fans were looking forward to a more attacking performance against Bodmin after showing resilience against Truro City. Callum Rose would make his Parkway debut at the back and performed impeccably throughout the evening. Tom Bath scored after a minute and the game took shape.
An equaliser didn’t derail the learning process that was happening on the pitch as the trio of Lee Hobbs, Matt Cusack and Matt Godfree fed instructions and encouraged from the dugout. A fine 20-minute second half spell was arguably the best of pre-season to date with Shane Krac and a second by Bath adding to the scoresheet.
The scoreline ended 3-2 but that was probably the last thing that was mentioned as Lee took his team back into the changing rooms. Bodmin looked assured and with familiar names on the team sheet including recently departed Jordan Bentley, we can only wish them well in their pursuit of Western League football.
Some big-name departures, the loss of a club legend, a new ground, new faces and now a fresh approach… Tiverton Town the final fixture this Saturday in what has been an extremely interesting pre-season as the Southern League fast approaches.
The squad are nearing the summit of the incline.
Photos: Tom Finnie / Dave Crawford
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