Parkway Youth Round Up
2 - Plymouth Parkway Colts 2 - Swift
Parkway would look to keep their fine season on track as they played host to Swift. The youngsters started well and would find the net early on only for the goal to be chalked off for handball in the build-up.
Swift enjoyed good spells early on, but the Parkway defensive partnership would stand firm and when the away side broke the back line, the intelligent Parkway number one would be on hand to mop up the danger.
Despite the best efforts from the Parkway back four, they would find themselves a goal down. In swirling wind conditions, Swift would adapt better to the conditions and after enjoying more of the ball their dominance would finally see them find the net and lead mid-way through the first half. One became two moments later as Swift again broke the back line and punished Parkway in a matter of minutes of a very physical first half. A fine save from Parkway’s number one just before the break would see the score line stay at 2 as Swift went into the break with the advantage.
Parkway reappeared for the second half looking motivated and determined to get back into the game. Swift adopted a counterattack approach and looked happy to sit on their 2-goal lead. Parkway were dogged, and despite struggling to break down an organised Swift defensive unit, they didn’t let their heads drop and continued to play their own brand of football that has served them well all season. Eventually, Parkway would find a way back into the game and it would arrive from Kit after a superb delivery from Riley following a corner.
Despite pulling a goal back, Swift would have the better chances as the full-time whistle loomed and could have restored their 2-goal lead if not for the heroics of the Parkway keeper and some last ditch defending. After weathering the storm, Parkway rallied and would find an equaliser late on. Swift would again be undone by a Parkway corner routine, and it would be the Kit/Riley combination that would be their undoing as the points would be shared from a physical game, played in the right way.
7 - Plymouth Parkway 1 - Drake
Parkway were back in action hoping to keep their winning form going as they faced a Drake side that were unpredictable as Parkway found out when the sides last met in the cup, a thriller in which Parkway scraped a winner in the last 5 mins of extra time to win 2-1.
Parkway were looking to build on last week’s win where they beat Hunters District Phoenix girls 2-0.
New signing Noah Edgar would start in place of the unavailable Alfie Chambers would be the only change after last week’s win. The game got underway, and it was a frantic start as Drake came close to opening the scoring but thanks to a great save on to the crossbar by Parkway keeper Tye Roberts the score line remained goalless.
Moments later it was Parkway who opened the scoring through Frankie Paolantonio from a Leo Orford corner. one almost became two minutes later minutes as Parkway had another chance but Leo Orford`s shot went over the crossbar.
Parkway would be on top, but Tye Roberts would be called into action again as he had to make a save from a Drake opportunity, seconds later Parkway striker Ernie Scott broke through the Drake defence and hit a great shot over the keeper into the top left-hand corner as Parkway doubled their advantage.
The game would begin to settle after a frantic start, but it was Parkway to strike again and increase their goal tally as Leo Orford sent Ernie Scott through to slot the ball past the Drake keeper for his 2nd of the day and put Parkway 3 up at the break.
Parkway came out in the second half raring to go and within two minutes of the restart they were on the attack with Leo Orford hitting his shot over the bar. Moments later, Leo Orford was at it again and this time got his 1st of the game. Drake’s heads didn’t drop despite the score line and were on the attack and unlucky not to score as their shot hit the crossbar and went over.
Parkway now well on top would add to the score line minutes later as a scramble in the Drake area saw Laiton Willsher get his 1st of the game. The scoring continued as a Leo Orford shot was saved by the Drake keeper and Frankie Paolantonio got on the rebound that was deflected by the Drake defence only for Laiton Willsher to get on the end it and slot it home.
Parkway, now playing some fine football would again increase their lead who their goal tally as Leo Orford got his 2nd of the game. Not to be left out, Jayden Tranter would get his customary goal and it would come straight from a corner as Parkway notched seven.
Drake kept pushing forward and Tye Roberts was called in to action again as Drake broke away and fire off an effort only for Tye to hit it on to the crossbar.
Drake kept on knocking and 2 minutes later headed into the arms of the Parkway keeper. Moments later Parkway attacked but were unlucky not to increase their lead as Laiton Willsher hit the ball wide. Drake finally got a consolation deep into injury time and shortly after, the full-time whistle blew as Parkway bagged all three points in clinical fashion.
Parkway have gone 13 league games and 1 cup unbeaten so far this season as they push to be League and cup winners, with just 8 points needed to secure the title
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