Parkway display character on a cold Tuesday night in Sandhurst
Words by Graham Lloyd
Images by Dave Harry
Parkway made the midweek 366 mile round trip for the rearranged fixture with Bracknell Town looking for an improved performance from Saturday’s narrow defeat at Hanwell Town. 2 changes were made with Harrison King and Jack Crago recalled in place of Aaron Goulty and Ollie Hulbert respectively.
 Bracknell TownPlymouth Parkway 
0 - 0Full Time |
Full Match Report
Parkway almost made the perfect start on 2 minutes with Ryan Lane determinedly winning the ball on the left and crossing for Ben Seymour whose diving header at full stretch flashed narrowly wide.
Parkway continued to dominate the early exchanges playing at a high tempo and with intensity. On 13 minutes King and Seymour linked well along the right with King’s pinpoint cross being headed behind for a corner with a Bracknell defender just beating Crago to the ball.
The game continued to be played at a frenetic pace with neither side able to gain midfield control and both lacking the composure to create any clear chances. Parkway continued to compete well in midfield and at times looked to be more direct by playing long diagonal balls into the wide areas.
The hosts were defending well and gradually began to work their way back into the game pushing Parkway on to the defensive.
On 19 minutes Bracknell created their first scoring opportunity with the lively Mickel Platt turning and shooting from distance with Adam Parkes making a comfortable save.
The game was turning into a more even affair with the hosts beginning to come more into the game having ridden out Parkway’s early fast start.
On 22 minutes Kamaron English went clear along the left for the hosts with his dangerous cross being hooked clear as the Parkway defence began to come under more pressure.
Parkway continued to look to play on the counter but were unable to show the necessary composure in attacking areas with the home defence remaining in control.
Bracknell’s main attacking threat continued to come down the left and on 31 minutes Ashley Lodge went clear setting up Platt whose angled drive was deflected behind via a strong Callum Rose challenge. Bracknell continued to build through midfield and apply pressure but Parkway continued to compete well and defend resolutely.
On 39 minutes the dangerous Platt again saw his angled drive easily saved by a confident Parkes.
Parkway continued to have their fair of possession in midfield with Callum Hall, Rio Garside and Billy Palfrey all working hard and showing good energy to close down the hosts and maintain the tempo.
On 41 minutes a long ball along the Parkway left into the 18 yard area saw Crago go clear with Michael Eacott racing from his line and make minimal contact with Crago who was subsequently booked for alleged simulation. Bracknell thought they had taken the lead on 42 minutes after a cross from the right was bundled in from close range but was disallowed for offside.
An entertaining half with not much to choose between the sides with Parkway starting the sharper and Bracknell having the better of the latter stages. Few chances created with both sides defending solidly and neither keeper unduly tested.
Parkway started the 2nd half brightly applying early pressure and on 49 minutes persistent play on the left by Hall saw him win the ball and release Seymour whose angled strike from around 18 yards was well blocked by the legs of Eacott with Mikey Williams firing the loose ball just wide.
Garside then saw a shot blocked on 51 minutes with Palfrey firing a free kick just over from around 20 yards on 53 minutes. Parkway continued to look to contain the hosts in midfield and play on the counter but had a fortunate escape on 58 minutes.
Parkway conceded possession in midfield allowing English to race clear unchallenged along the left with Darryl Sanders just failing to get a touch to a teasing cross which flashed across the 6 yard area in front of an unguarded goal.
Parkway made their 1st change on 64 minutes with Dan Rooney replacing the hard working Garside with the hosts replacing Joe Grant with Magnus Abisogun on 67 minutes.
With the game becoming stretched, Bracknell continued to press looking to create openings but the Parkway defence held firm with the Rose, Austen Booth and the back line working well as a unit and displaying high concentration levels.
On 75 minutes Hulbert replaced Crago who as usual had put in a whole hearted shift. Bracknell continued to threaten and on 79 minutes a free kick from the left saw a Sanders header from inside the 6 yard area competently saved low down by Parkes.
The Parkway defence continued to come under pressure but they remained solid denying the hosts any clear chances. On 82 minutes a corner from the right into a crowded 6 yard area saw Parkes put under pressure but he climbed the highest to gather the ball confidently to avert the danger.
Bracknell continued to push forward winning a number of free kicks in dangerous areas with Hall picking up a yellow card on 88 minutes presumably for persistent infringement.
Parkway continued to withstand the late pressure with some solid defending and with 5 minutes of stoppage time being indicated almost grabbed a late goal.
On 93 minutes a trademark penetrating run from the back by the elusive Williams saw him release Hall whose cross resulted in a couple of corners the 2nd of which saw a close range Parkway effort headed off the line.
The final action saw a Bracknell shot from around 18 yards fly just wide with the referee calling time shortly after.
After their somewhat lethargic display at Hanwell on Saturday, a vastly improved Parkway performance displaying energy, desire and commitment to gain a thoroughly deserved point against a strong Bracknell side who harbour serious ambitions of a playoff place into which they moved with their point tonight.
Parkway remain in 19th place still with numerous games in hand with all teams around them. It was a tired but ultimately contented group of players, staff and supporters who arrived back at Bolitho Park at 0330 having departed from there at 1400!
The games do not come any easier with Saturday seeing Parkway visit the leagues in form side 3rd placed Chesham United whose 3-0 victory at Yate Town tonight was their 5th consecutive victory.
Their 20 league games have seen 13 wins, 5 draws and just 2 defeats. One of those draws was Parkway’s very first game in the Southern League Premier Division back in August when they came from 2 goals with Ben Seymour grabbing 2 late goals to earn a deserved point.
Match Info
Line-ups:
Bracknell
1 Eacott, 2 Dean, 3 Burden, 4 Fraser, 5 Bayliss ©, 6 Lodge, 7 Grant (Abisogun 67), 8 Knight, 9 Platt, 10 Sanders, 11 English
Substitutes:
12 Hollis (unused), 14 Cheshire (unused), 15 Tack (unused), 16 Abisogun, 17 Sani(unused)
Parkway:
1 Parkes, 2 King, 3 Lane ©, 4 Palfrey, 5 Rose, 6 Booth, 7 Williams, 8 Garside (Rooney 64), 9 Seymour, 10 Hall, 11 Crago (Hulbert 75).
Substitutes:
12 Goulty (unused), 14 Rooney, 15 Down (unused), 16 Hulbert
Attendance: 234
Parkway Partners
