Plymouth Parkway hosted the return fixture with Ivybridge Town Youth following their very first game of the season. On a dry, windy, Spring morning, Parkway was missing club captain and centre half Archie Wall for this fixture which contributed to a 3-5-2 over their normal 4-4-2 formation. This was only Parkway’s third game of the year and were going into the game conceding 3 league goals in total after 6 games played.

Both teams initially struggled to get into the game with a strong cross pitch easterly wind which proved very difficult for both teams to string passes together. Josh Bernard was very industrious in his approach play from midfield and prove provider for both Finley Walker and Rio Daley before shooting himself only to be saved by the goalkeeper.

After 10 minutes, Parkway had more of the play than Ivybridge Town and another darting run by Josh Bernard into the box drew an awkward challenge from Ivybridge’s Isaac Potter and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Finley Walker stepped up and placed it to the goalkeepers right sending him the wrong way to capitalise on the awarded penalty.

The first half continued with good possession form Parkway, but they were still unable to be clinical in the final 3rd of the pitch. Shots from Rio Daley, Mason Elliot and Liam Blackwell were either off target or saved by a very busy Ivybridge Town goalkeeper. On 25 minutes, Marley Krac had to be replaced by Billy Eccles due to picking up a small injury in the midfield battles that were now occurring. Billy had recently joined Parkway but was only himself returning from injury and soon linked up well with Jack Stevens and Rhys McShane, bringing other players ahead of them into the game.

In the latter stages of the first half, Ivybridge continued to battle, and break downplay and were rewarded with a free kick 30 yards out which came to nothing. Finley Roberts, Parkways man between the sticks, was only really tested once as the first half ended from a further free kick from Ivybridge which he held well despite the sun shining brightly in his eyes.

Parkway started the second half with more zip and pace about their play with a cross field pass from Billy Eccles which Rio Daley picked up. As always, Rio ran with endeavour, twisting and turning defenders before slotting an accurately weighted pass to striker Finley Walker who duly accepted the ball and finished from a tight angle to make it 2-0.

Parkway were now beginning to dominate play with a slight advantage from the increasing wind. Sam Rutter continued to make advanced runs with a number of crosses coming into dangerous areas but so often dealt with by strong defensive unit and very little pressure from the Parkway front players.

Ivybridge still looked threatening when they did make advances in Parkways final 3rd but were met with a tenacious defence with Cohen Newitt and Charlie Goldsworthy so often breaking up play.

Rhys McShane, Josh Bernard, and Billy Eccles continued to dominate in the middle of the park as Parkway increased their hold on the game. Rio Daly was non-stop making numerous off the ball runs and was eventually rewarded for all his handwork with an individual effort resulting in a great goal to make the score 3-0.

Parkway were unyielding for the last 15 minutes with several attempts on goal. Excellent corners into the box as direct results of these attacks should have been rewarded with more goals but it wasn’t to be with some below par heading and close-range shots which were dealt with well by the Ivybridge goalkeeper and his fellow defenders.

The final goal came from a shot from Finley Walker which hit the post then rebounded back into his pathway to be slotted home for Parkways 4th and his hat-trick on the day.