Parkway travelled to Western League side Mousehole in the preliminary round of the FA Cup where a recent pre-season friendly had seen them well beaten 4-0 by the hosts. With Harrison Davis and Michael Landricombe unavailable, Parkway made 5 changes from Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Frome Town. Tyler Coombes, making his debut, replaced Kyle Moore in goal with Reece Shanley, also making his debut, in for Davis. Jordan Copp came in for Ryan Lane, Callum Rose for Landricombe and Matt Andrew for Callum Hall. 4 substitutes were named including strength and conditioning coach Matt Godfree.

Parkway made the worst possible start conceding after just 20 seconds. From their kick off Mousehole sliced through the Parkway midfield and backline with Hayden Turner racing clear on the right to fire a low, angled drive into far corner giving Coombes no chance. Parkways response was immediate with Copp and Bath linking well with Andrew whose shot was gathered at the second attempt by Corey Harvey before they equalised in the 3^rd minute. A poor clearance by Harvey was intercepted by the alert Jack Crago who released Tom Bath who strode clear unmarked to steer a shot from around 12 yards beyond the keeper.

Playing with a strong breeze at their backs, Parkway began to move the ball around well with Crago showing good skill on the left with an effort that clipped the top of the bar. On 9 minutes Parkway almost took the lead only to be denied by a superb save by Harvey who pushed Bath’s glancing header behind. From the corner Rose bundled an effort narrowly wide. The game was being played at a good pace with both sides looking to build through the midfield and utilise the flanks. On 11 minutes the hosts Mark Goldsworthy broke clear along the right with his shot being well saved by Coombes. Andrew and River Allen were combining well in midfield and on 19 minutes a neat exchange saw Crago fire a fierce shot just wide from around 25 yards.

Play continued from end to end with the Parkway defence remaining solid with Shanley looking composed at right back and Rose and Aaron Bentley forming a strong central defensive partnership. On 22 minutes another Parkway attack saw a long ball from Allen find Mikey Williams who set up Bath whose shot was blocked. Bath was in action again on 25 minutes after more good work by Crago saw him cut inside and set up the striker who turned sharply, shooting just wide. Mousehole however continued to threaten and on 27 minutes a quick break along the right by Callum Mconie saw his whipped in cross well defended at the near post. With Parkway beginning to dominate midfield with their sharp passing and movement, further chances were being created. On 28 minutes another penetrating ball from Allen found Billy Palfrey who showed good control before seeing his fierce shot being beaten away by Harvey. Further Parkway pressure saw efforts from Crago and the busy Andrew blocked with Rose heading just over from another corner.

On 36 minutes the pressure finally paid off as Parkway took the lead. Crago did well to chase a long ball which looked to be a lost cause as he retrieved the ball close to the dead ball line and cleverly pulled the ball back to Williams who jinked into the 18 yard area with his shot rebounding off the bar with Andrew reacting quickest to the loose ball calmly side footing home from 6 yards for his first goal for the club. Parkway then had a reasonable shout for a penalty waved away after Andrew had been bundled off the ball. Steve Burt became the first player to be booked after a strong challenge on Allen with the hosts making a substitution on 38 minutes with Sean Roberts replacing Mconie. On 40 minutes a neat Mousehole move through the midfield almost breached the Parkway back line with a dangerous cross from the right being fired into the 6 yard area with no one able to apply the finishing touch. The half ended with Bentley striding forward and hitting a speculative effort from 40 yards towards the top corner which Harvey at full stretch just managed to fingertip behind for a corner. After the shock of conceding such an early goal, Parkway did well to respond quickly and with the game a close end to end affair, created the better chances. Mousehole started the second half the sharper and on 50 minutes the pacey Turner went clear on the left with his shot being well smothered by Coombes at the near post. Billy Curtis became the 2^nd player to be booked after a challenge on Bath with Allen also seeing yellow for his vociferous protest. Mousehole continued to threaten with Coombes beating away a shot with the commanding Rose clearing the loose ball. On 64 minutes Williams was booked as the hosts had a period in the ascendancy with Shanley working hard and doing well to contain the tricky Turner and Copp doing likewise on the opposite flank. On 65 minutes Parkway should have increased their lead. A long clearance from Bentley found Bath whose header dropped to Williams who linked well with Bath who dragged his shot wide when well placed. Hall replaced the influential Andrew on 69 minutes with Curtis being replaced by Paulo Sousa for the hosts.

Mousehole continued to have plenty of possession as they attempted to draw level but the Parkway defence remained strong with Rose dominant, winning numerous headers and marshalling the backline with the hosts unable to create any clear cut chances. Crago continued to cause problems along the left and another long ball on 77 minutes saw him do well to win the first header with his second going just wide. Parkway then increased their lead from the penalty spot on 79 minutes. A short free kick from Allen, looking much fitter and arguably having his best game for the club to date, saw him link well with Crago with the resultant cross finding the unmarked Rose who was clearly tripped with Allen emphatically firing home the spot kick. Gerens James replaced Burt for Mousehole on 80 minutes as Parkway finished the game the stronger with Bath forcing another fine save from Harvey on 86 minutes and Williams just failing to reach a dangerous cross as the game entered stoppage time. Crago then saw yellow as Parkway looked to manage the game out with the final action a Goldsworthy header flying over from a free kick.

After the very early setback, a quick response and an accomplished, competent performance by a much changed Parkway starting 11 including 2 debutants against a good Mousehole side who competed well throughout and looked to play in the right manner. A solid defensive unit coupled with a strong, creative midfield provided the bedrock for the deserved win and but for some inspired goalkeeping and more clinical finishing, the victory margin could have been more. Eyes are now on Monday’s draw for the 1^st Qualifying round with games taking place on 4^th September. Next up is a visit next Saturday to Mangotsfield United who beat Tavistock 3-0 in the FA Cup today.

Line Up:

1 Coombes, 2 Shanley, 3 Copp, 4 Palfrey, 5 Rose, 6 Bentley, 7 Williams, 8 Allen©, 9 Bath, 10 Andrew (Hall 69), 11 Crago

Substitutes: Hall, Moore (GK Unused), Lane (unused), Godfree (unused)