Plymouth Parkway v HRBFC | Match Report & Highlights

Parkway’s FA Trophy story continues as they see off National League South Hampton & Richmond Borough

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Graham Lloyd

Full Match Report

Images by Tom Finnie

Plymouth Parkway entertained National League South (step 2) Hampton & Richmond Borough in the 2nd round of the FA Trophy.

With their opponents playing 2 leagues higher in the pyramid than Parkway, a tough challenge was envisaged. Prior to kick off, a minutes silence was impeccably observed by all in the ground in respect and memory of Plymouth girl Bobbi-Anne McLeod tragically murdered recently.

Parkway made 2 changes from Tuesday night’s narrow victory over Cinderford Town with River Allen and Rio Garside replacing Callum Hall and Mikey Williams respectively in midfield.

The game got off to a cagey start with both sides feeling each other out with the visitors having the majority of the possession and forcing a couple of early corners. A dangerous cross from the left by Ruaridh Donaldson was headed behind for a corner as the visitors continued to press high.

Parkway gradually began to see more of the ball and on 14 minutes a free kick by Allen was headed behind as play became more even. Allen then fired a low cross into the danger area with no one able to get the final touch.

On 20 minutes Hampton’s Imran Uche saw his effort from around 15 yards parried away by Kyle Moore with Jake Gray slotting home the rebound only to be denied by an offside flag.

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The visitors continued to dominate possession in midfield but with Parkway competing and defending well, they were unable to create any clear cut chances.

On 24 minutes a free kick from distance by Uche was comfortably saved by Moore. On 27 minutes sloppy play by Parkway in midfield allowed Gray to break clear only for Moore to save at full stretch.

Having absorbed the early pressure, Parkway gradually edged their way back into the game with Allen, Billy Palfrey and Matt Andrew winning more of the ball in midfield, beginning to impose themselves and linking will with the strikers. Rhys Shirley saw yellow on 31 minutes followed into the book shortly after by Uche for a foul on Allen.

With Parkway now becoming the more dominant side, on 33 minutes Callum Rose saw his header from another Allen free kick skim the top of the bar. A long ball from Parkway then saw Shirley win a header which dropped to Crago whose shot was well blocked.

On 38 minutes a strong run from the back by Craske saw him play a neat one two with Crago who volleyed narrowly wide.

Hampton responded with a break along the right with Ryan Gondoh firing well wide. Parkway had a glorious opportunity to take the lead on 45 minutes.

A long ball from the back saw the tireless Crago win a 50/50 ball from the last defender and go one on one with Alan Julian in the visitor’s goal only to steer his effort just wide of the upright from around 12 yards.

The final action of the half saw Ryan Lane head a close range effort off the lane after a quick Hampton break along the right. After a stuttering start by Parkway with the visitors looking the better side, they gradually worked their way into the game, defending strongly, creating the better chances and with more clinical finishing would have gone into the break ahead.  

Parkway started the second half at a high tempo forcing the early pace, pressing the visitors in midfield and maintaining a solid shape with their defence generally remaining in control.

Play continued at a pace with Parkway looking to utilise the speed and non-stop running of Crago and Garside along the flanks to stretch the visitor’s defence. On 59 minutes the deadlock was finally broken. After a period of Hampton pressure, a long clearance by Moore deep into the visitor’s half saw the determination of Crago out muscle the last defender to the bouncing ball and bravely head over the onrushing Julian into the empty net.

Parkway continued to threaten, pushing the visitors on to the defensive and on 67 minutes Allen’s shot from distance was well saved by Julian.

Callum Hall then replaced the industrious Andrew as Parkway continued to look the more determined side, winning most of the 2nd balls, controlling the midfield and forcing Hampton to go more direct.

With Rose and the imperious Michael Landricombe forming a solid central defensive wall well supported by full backs Lane and Craske, the visitors were unable to create any clear chances. However on 72 minutes with arguably their best chance of the game, Sam Deadfield broke through only to fire narrowly over from around 12 yards when well placed.

Kadell Daniel replaced Tyrell Miller-Rodney on 73 minutes for the visitors with Harrison Davis replacing the returning from injury Allen after an influential performance on 79 minutes.

Parkway continued to display an impressive work rate all over the pitch as the visitors pushed forward looking for the equaliser however the Parkway defensive shield remained firm.

Adam Carter replaced the hard working Rhys Shirley up front on 84 minutes with Hampton continuing to press and on 85 minutes a period of pressure saw two shots blocked in quick succession by Parkway defenders putting their bodies on the line. Charlie Hagan replaced Gondoh on 86 minutes as Hampton continued to huff and puff with little success due to resolute Parkway defending. Hall saw yellow on 88 minutes for a foul in the midfield area with the free kick being comfortably defended.

With Hampton now stretched at the back, on 89 minutes Carter linked well with the irrepressible Crago who raced clear only to see his goal bound angled strike from around 18 yards saved by the outstretched leg of Julian and go behind for a corner.

Entering 4 minutes of stoppage time Uche shot just wide before an unseemly melee ensued in the vicinity of the Parkway goal area.

Once order had final been restored and a lengthy discussion by all 3 officials completed, yellow cards were shown to Moore, Carter, Deadfield and Slen.

A final throw of the dice by Hampton on 98 minutes was once again thwarted by brave Parkway defending as they held on for a hard fought but ultimately deserved victory and a place in Monday’s 3rd round draw.

Those ties are due to take place on Saturday 18 December. A hard fought game with Parkway displaying desire, commitment, passion, resilience and team spirit in a particularly strong second half performance to record their 4th victory in the competition. 3 of those have been against higher league opponents without a single goal being conceded.

Quite an achievement. The games do not get any easier as 2nd placed Sholing, who won 1-0 at home to Evesham United today, are the visitors to Bolitho Park next Saturday when Parkway will be looking to maintain their unbeaten home record.

Line ups:

Parkway 1 Moore, 2 Craske, 3 Lane, 4 Allen (Davis 79), 5 Rose, 6 Landricombe ©, 7 Garside, 8 Palfrey, 9 Shirley (Carter 84), 10 Andrew (Hall 68), 11 Crago

Substitutes: 12 Davis, 14 Williams (unused|), 15 Hall, 16 Bentley (unused), 17 Smith (unused), 18 Coombes GK (unused|), 19 Carter.

Hampton & Richmond 1 Julian, 3 Donaldson, 4 Inman, 5 Wassmer ©, 7 Gondoh (Hagan 86), 8 Deadfield, 10 Gray, 12 Muir, 16 McKnight, 17, Miller-Rodney (Daniel 73), 20 Uche

Substitutes: 9 Slen, 11 Brown (Unused), 13 Niznik (unused), 14 Daniel, 18 Farrell (unused), 21 Hagan, 22 Hutchins (unused).