Parkway Under 13’s seal league title with games to spare
1 - Hunters District
4 - Plymouth Parkway
Parkway went into the game off the back of a 4-1 semi-final league cup win and had that the knowledge that a point in today’s fixture would see them be crowned champions with a game to spare.
Both teams began the game well, but it would be the partnership of Leo Orford and Jayden Tranter that would again unlock the game. Orford would be denied from close range in the first few minutes but moments later, Tranter’s fine season continued as he put Parkway 1-0 up.
It could have been two moments later as a scramble in the box would see the ball fall to Frankie Paolantonio who would shoot wide when well placed. Parkway looked for a second.
And almost found it as Gabriel Headlam hit the crossbar and from the resulting passage of play, Laiton Wilsher would narrowly see his shot fly over the bar.
Hunters responded well and created some good chances of their own, but Tye Roberts looked calm between the posts as he commanded his box well. The elusive second looked like it might not arrive for Parkway with a host of chances not being taken. Tranter would strike the foot of the post and the influential Paolantonio would be denied by some good goalkeeping.
It’s been a season when Parkway have been clinical in front of goal and the second would duly arrive as Orford, who has enjoyed a superb season would dance though a trio of defenders and finish calmly to put Parkway into dreamland at the break.
All good teams can still have a wobble and after Orford had a goal ruled out for offside, Hunters would catch Parkway cold, and a fine effort would see them pull a goal back and set up a tense last half hour.
It was one way traffic for the next passage of the game but as all good champions do, Parkway found a way. Bodies on the line defending would keep the score at 2-1 and then the extra quality within the Parkway ranks would shine through. Headlam, who was denied in the first half would make no mistake in the second and finished coolly to restore the 2-goal parity in the game.
The game was still being played at a high tempo leading into the last quarter but finally, Parkway found a 4th that would clinch them the title. An errand ball would find its way to Max Brockman and the youngster would keep his composure and the send the squad into delirium as parents and coached celebrated on the touchline.
Hunters not only played a huge part in the fixture, but they would also show the importance of the game at this age group and the manager ensured his players formed a guard of honour for the new Under 13’s DJM Adrenalin league champions.
Speaking after the game, Parkway Manager paid tribute to the Hunters chairman and was pleased his side could wrap up the title with games to spare: “I’m delighted, the boys were brilliant today and to get the league in the bag with games to spare means we can fully concentrate on the cup and hopefully seal the double which this squad are fully capable of doing.”
2 - Plymouth Parkway
1 - Swift
Match report by Emma Hermon-Wright
A cold and windy day up at Battisborough Cross was the setting for what should have been a home game for Parkway Colts U11’s as they entertained Swift.
As the game got going and both teams tried to find their feet, it would be Parkway that would settle first. A cross from Kit into the box found Rylee who after a few attempts, managed to scramble it over the line as Parkway took the early lead.
Bailey played a huge part in today’s game with amazing motivational and encouraging shouting, joined by Freddie keeping the spirits high throughout. This was needed and noticed even more when Parkway conceded, as Swift quickly stole a goal back.
Evan’s strong shot on goal was saved well but the Swift goalie who by this time, already had the Parkway parents’ ‘man of the match’ recommendation. Evan continued and strolled through two Swift players with another strike on goal. Denied again.
Constant and consistent defending by Freddie cleared the ball high up the pitch and enabled Rylee to place a great cross to Kit which was narrowly missed. Joey’s determined sweeping forward to give the strikers as many chances as possible and the good support from Oscar in midfield, kept the possession mostly in Parkways scoring end.
Swift responded with 2 strong shots which flew just wide as the goal was covered well by Jack who followed with a fantastic save as Swift took a free kick. 1-1 at the break.
After what seemed like a big build up and long time coming, Freddie sent the ball into Kit who managed to secure a well-deserved goal and restore the lead.
Maison showed some good reading of the game and decision making and Alfie fought hard with passion and power. An equalising goal scoring moment for Swift seconds before the game ended, was destroyed by a strong intervention by Jacob and the whistle called time and a win for the boys in grey.
Colts’ triumphant return home proved exactly why they deserve to be part of this league. Man of the match today was given to Oscar.
0 - Plymton
4 - Plymouth Parkway
Parkway continued to raise their performance levels with a comfortable 4-0 win over Plympton on a blustery Saturday. Parkway would go into the game with the best defence in the league and a run of six league games unbeaten which turned to seven following Saturday’s win.
The game would belong to Parkway straight from the off as good passages of passing play would lead to Liam finding the net for the first time. One would become two as Connor’s trickery in the area would lead to the referee pointing at the spot. Kings would put the ball down and coolly slot Parkway into a two-goal lead.
Plympton had twice been two down against Parkway this season and twice come from behind to snatch a 3-2 but the home side couldn’t gain any momentum throughout the game. Parkway continued to play the ball on the ground and their game management was impeccable throughout the match.
Fine battling from Liam would see the striker add a second as he gave the keeper no time to settle, and a n easy finish would seal his second of the game. The youngster would go on to claim the match ball and seal a hat-trick on debut with a superb effort that hit the underside of the bar before the ball nestled in the net.
An all-round superb display would see Parkway move up to second in the Under 13’s Astor league.
7 - Youth
1 - Plymouth Parkway
A tough away day which in theory, should have been the final based on both teams performance, domestically, this season. Two league champions went head to head in what resulted in a disappointing day for the yellows.
Torquay are littered with former academy players from Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Swansea City, so the game was always going to be tough. Add that to the academy programme each player is a part of, and the result in perspective, was strangely, a good one.
Torquay were deserved winners but they didn’t have it all their own way, as the scoreline may suggest. The Parkway midfield trio of Jacob Smith, Callum Bleasdale and Colby Collier certainly did not look overrun and played some very attractive one touch football through the opposition at times, but it was the counter attacking finesse of the opposition that made all of the difference on the day.
That takes nothing away from the grit and determination of the Parkway backline, but Torquay were just far too clinical on the day. Parkway’s only goal came through none other than the magnificent Dylan Jones, who worked hard all afternoon and showed the quality he has, against a very organised, well drilled, Torquay defence, earning deserved plaudits from both sides after the game. While the result is disappointing, the yellows have had a magnificent season, topping a league made up of a majority of players at least one year older than them.
Downhearted, but not defeated, we wish Torquay United Youth the best of luck in the final. For us, bring on the league Cup final!
Parkway Partners
