Parkway's three game week starts with defeat on the road
AFC Totton vs Parkway | Match ReportPlymouth Parkway returned to action following the latest weekend washout with a visit to Southampton to face highly fancied AFC Totton.
The hosts suffered their first defeat in 12 on Saturday away to champions elect Chesham United but have been in fine form of late following last seasons promotion and look odds on to finish in a play-off position this time out and currently lie in 4th.
This was Parkway’s third visit to the Snows Stadium to face The Stags having lost there 0-1 two seasons ago on the opening day of what turned out to be a title winning season, and an FA Trophy 1-2 defeat back in October last year. Parkway did win their only home tie with Totton two years back.
The visitors shown one change from the clash with Merthyr Town last Thursday with Rio Garside starting in place of Cameron Sangster.
 AFC TottonPlymouth Parkway 
2 - 0Full Time |
Full Match Report
The visitors shown one change from the clash with Merthyr Town last Thursday with Rio Garside starting in place of Cameron Sangster.
The game kicked-off in light drizzle which remained throughout the match. Totton started brightly and almost capitalised on confusion at the back between Crago and Parkes on 17 seconds which resulted in a very acute shot hitting the side netting.
It was the sixth minute before Parkway managed their first attack when good play by Rio Garside on the left allowed Jack Crago to almost put Reece Thomson in, but the defence covered.
The opening 20 minutes were a midfield battle with neither side able to force their dominance and defences remained on top with no clear-cut chances. Parkway looked threatening when they passed the ball around, but all too often resorted to the long ball which was easily defended by the Totton back four.
On 22 minutes, Callum Hall couldn’t quite get on the end of a slightly overhit through ball but Crago intercepted and looked to be in before he was quickly closed down and the chance came to nothing.
On 25, Totton had two shots in quick succession by Ethan Taylor and captain Scott Rendell, each blocked on the edge of the box.
On 31, a cross by Ryan Lane was met by Callum Rose but his header was comfortably saved by the Totton keeper, Tommy Reid.
A Parkway corner on 35 minutes was partially cleared but Garside managed to get in a well struck shot from 25 yards which was blocked. Garside was pulling the strings in midfield and looked to be the one capable of unlocking the tight defence of Totton.
On 40 minutes Totton created the first real scoring opportunity when Juan Luque had a lovely drag back and turn 20 yards out and unleashed a curling shot which had Parkway keeper Adam Parkes at full stretch to push it away for a corner.
Three minutes later Totton were in again when a long high ball saw Ethan Taylor take it on the volley lobbing over Parkes who was in no-mans-land but it fell harmlessly wide of the post.
Lane then played in Garside on 44 who was pushed over in the box but his appeals for a penalty were brushed aside by the ref. Right on half-time, a reckless sliding tackle by Callum Hall saw him become the first yellow card of the night.
A very even half with very few chances and Parkway were acquitting themselves very well
The second half saw Totton begin to take control and on 49 minutes they took the lead, Juan Luque played in Tony Lee and his low shot just eluded Parkes who possibly could have done better.
Parkway responded well with a looping header from Callum Rose on 53 minutes dropping just over the crossbar.
On 57, Tony Lee was played in for a one on one with Parkes but was flagged offside.
On 60 minutes, good play by Totton saw Juan Luque beat two defenders before curling a shot just past the far post. This was soon followed by their first substitution with the speedy Matty Burrows replacing Leon Maloney.
Parkway were creating many corners, but the Totton keeper was dealing with them well. On 66 minutes Crago was rightly booked for a slide tackle.
The visitors then made their first substitution with Matt Wright replacing Reece Thomson. The influential Juan Luque then went into the book for kicking the ball away.
On 70 minutes Callum Hall carved out a yard of space on the edge of the box and his low drive was well gathered by the Totton keeper. Adam Tomasso then replaced Tony Lee for the home side.
A pivotal moment occurred on 72 minutes when a shocking tackle on the far side on Callum Hall looked certain to receive a red card but only a yellow was given. Even the Totton fans around us were amazed a red was not shown.
On 75, Matt Wright played in Crago, but a good shot was well saved at the near post. Crago was then replaced by 18-year-old Dylan Jones.
Two minutes later, Totton came close to increasing their lead when a fine shot from Ethan Taylor was saved at full stretch by Parkes.
On 79, a shot by Garside was going about two yards wide but Jones had a fantastic opportunity in the six-yard box to turn it in the net but amazingly failed to make any contact at all, chance gone.
On 83, Mikey Williams returning from injury replaced Callum Rose. However, the very next minute, the pace of Matty Burrows caused Ryan Lane to mistime his tackle on him in the box and a clear penalty was awarded. Up stepped captain Scott Rendell and he calmly put it low into the right-hand corner of the net for 2-0.
Parkway kept fighting to try and get back into the match, but they are lacking a cutting edge at present. The Totton keeper was then booked for time wasting. Four minutes injury time was then notified.
On 90+1 minutes with Parkway pushing men forward Totton broke and a good ball to Scott Rendell saw him lift it over the head of Parkes only to be flagged offside. Within a minute, Totton hit the post when seemingly set to score after Matty Burrows was fed by Scott Rendell.
Ethan Taylor then shot just wide as Totton finished strongly.
Although many people felt Parkway were worthy of a draw tonight, I think Totton just about deserved the points. Parkway have now lost five in a row and are very much in need of a win.
A quick turnaround now for Parkway having arrived home 2am Wednesday, they now host Winchester City on Thursday at Home Park, 7:45 kick-off. The club are very grateful to Plymouth Argyle for helping whilst our pitch issues are being resolved. This match will quickly be followed by a trip to Bracknell Town early Saturday morning.
Match Info
Line-Ups:
AFC Totton:
1 Reid, 5 Kennedy, 6 Hallett, 7 Oastler, 9 Rendell (capt), 10 Taylor, 12 Luque (Pelham 83), 14 Jefford, 16 Bennett, 17 Maloney (Burrows 62), 18 Lee (Tomasso 71)
Substitutes:
1 Noice (unused), 2 Read (unused), 4 Pelham, 8 Tomasso, 11 Burrows
Attendance: 115 (7 Parkway)
Plymouth Parkway:
1 Parkes, 2 White, 3 Lane, 4 Purrington, 5 Rose (Williams 83), 6 Down, 15 Halls, 10 Garside, 9 Thomson (Wright 67), 8 Hall, 11 Crago (Jones 76)
Substitutes:
14 Jones, 17 Wright, 7 Williams, 12 Cairo (unused), 16 Sangster (unused)
Attendance: 1069 (11 Parkway)
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