Celebrations go long into the night as Parkway seal the title with a 3-0 win against Cinderford Town
 Plymouth ParkwayCinderford Town 
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Full Match Report
In their final league match of the season Plymouth Parkway entertained Cinderford Town knowing avoiding defeat would see them clinch the Southern League Division 1 South title.
By doing so they would gain promotion to the Southern League Premier Division South (step 3) and making it two successive promotions.
A magnificent crowd of 1,362, by far the largest ever seen at a competitive fixture at Bolitho Park, were in attendance to witness the occasion.
Three changes were made from Monday’s game at Barnstaple Town with Harrison Davis, Billy Palfrey and Gabby Rogers starting in place of Jamie Lowry, Adam Carter, and Matt Andrew.
Parkway made a sharp start forcing an early corner on 6 minutes and created their first chance on 12 minutes with a break along the left between Jack Crago and Rogers ending with Crago’s shot being comfortably saved by Nick Jones.
The game gradually settled into a tense, nervy affair with Cinderford competing well and Parkway gaining control of the midfield but with neither side able to create any clear chances.
On 21 minutes a surging run from deep by Callum Rose released Rogers on the left who linked well Crago whose cross found Ethan Mitchell who shot well wide from around 20 yards.
Cinderford continued to battle well and on 23 minutes a speculative effort from around 40 yards flew just wide.
Parkway gradually increased the tempo playing with fluidity but occasionally conceding possession too easily in midfield allowing the visitors to stay in the game and build their own attacks.
On 28 minutes a long ball in behind the Parkway defence saw Ben Brooks go clear only to be denied a shot by a crucial, well timed covering tackle by Rose some 12 yards out.
Parkway began to dominate in midfield as they probed for an opening and on 30 minutes took the lead. A swift exchange of passes between Callum Hall and Palfrey saw Palfrey’s well directed cross find Crago who laid the ball off to Hall whose superb half volley from around 25 yards flew over Jones’ head giving the keeper no chance.
Play continued to be cagey and competitive but lacking too much quality with neither side creating any clear chances and defences generally on top.
Parkway continued to dictate the pace of the game and remain in control with the visitor’s defence holding firm but offering little in attack. On 44 minutes a break along the left saw Ryan Lane’s teasing cross into the 6 yard box well cut out by Jones as Parkway finished the half on the front foot.
A half lacking any great quality with Parkway the better side, controlling the game and doing just enough to contain Cinderford who competed well but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Early in the second half Hall saw yellow for a challenge on Jack Freeman and on 49 minutes a cross by Rogers landed on the roof of the net as Parkway reasserted control.
On 55 minutes Rogers was in the action again with his powerful effort from around 18 yards being pushed away by Jones and cleared to safety. Parkway continued to dominate proceedings and probe for openings and on 61 minutes Rogers now operating on the right curled an angled effort narrowly wide.
On 64 minutes Jordan Copp replaced Palfrey who once again had put in an excellent shift with Cinderford also making a change with Ben Scotford replacing Dylan Jones.
On 68 minutes a smart link up on the left between Lane and Hall set up Rogers who shot well over. On 70 minutes an inswinging free kick from the right by Lane was headed behind for a corner as Parkway increased the pressure forcing the visitors to defend in numbers.
Lewis Bamford replaced Mitch McCann for Cinderford on 72 minutes shortly before Parkway’s pressure finally paid off as they doubled their lead on 73 minutes.
A break along the left cut through the visitors defence with Crago showing good close control going clear, reaching the byline and crossing low into the 6 yard area where the elusive Mikey Williams side footed home from close range.
Almost straight from the kick off Parkway mounted another attack and increased their lead further, effectively sealing the game and almost certainly the title.
Copp showing good close control and awareness in central midfield played in the effervescent Crago who reacted smartly firing a low angled drive from around 10 yards through the keeper’s legs.
With the tempo and intensity of the game now dropping, on 75 minutes Cinderford made their final change with Owen Taylor replacing Jack Bartman.
A rare break forward by Cinderford on 80 minutes created a two on one situation with Bamford under pressure from Hall firing his crossway off target. The outstanding Hall was then replaced by Jacob Smith on 83 minutes.
With Parkway now content to slow the game down and look to retain possession and manage the game out, Cinderford created some late pressure forcing a couple of corners with a couple of shots being blocked with the Parkway defence holding firm to yet again keep another clean sheet.
Whilst probably not at their best, Parkway did enough to get the job done against determined opponents who battled hard and remained competitive throughout and did not give Parkway an easy ride, making them work hard for their victory.
As they have done throughout this remarkable season, Parkway displayed the desire, commitment and application to gain the victory that gave them the 3 points required to secure the title and promotion which in all honesty nobody could have predicted at the start of the season.
Everyone associated with the club in any way over the last five years, no matter how big or small, can be extremely proud of their achievements in what must surely be the finest day in the club’s short history.
The final whistle saw jubilant scenes all around the ground and the eventual presentation of the enormous winner’s shield and medals to the players and staff will live long in the memory as the party began.
Once the dust has settled on what has been an incredible season and the celebrations have subsided, no doubt thoughts will quickly turn to what lies ahead and the planning and preparations will begin for next season.
Line ups:
Parkway: 1 Moore, 2 Davis, Lane, 4 Mitchell, 5 Rose, 6 Landricombe,©, 7 Williams, 8 Palfrey (Copp 64), 9 Crago, 10 Hall (Smith 82), 11 Rogers.
Substitutes: 12 Smith, 13 Duffey (gk) (unused),14 Copp, 15 Andrew (unused) 20 Carter (unused)
Cinderford: 1 Jones, 2 McIntosh, 3 Haswell, 4 McCann (Bamford 72), 5 Molyneux ©, 6 Bartman (Taylor 75), 7 Jones (Scotford 65), 8 Freeman, 9 Brooks, 10 Bremner, 11 Emmett.
Substitutes: 12 Taylor, 14 Bamford, 15 Scotford, 16 Drew (unused), 17 Morford (unused)
Attendance: 1,362
I have thoroughly enjoyed and been privileged to be part of the Parkway journey this season and somehow managed to cobble together a report on 44 of their 46 games in all competitions. I was unable to attend 2 games, Cirencester Town at home in the league and the Devon St Lukes Bowl tie at Tiverton Town. I hope you have enjoyed reading them and all being well I’ll be dusting the notebook and pen off in August ready for next season.
Parkway Partners
