Parkway Youth Round Up
8 - Plymouth Parkway 1 - Launceston Youth
Adam Castlehouse’s under 18’s produced a vintage performance as they found the net eight times with victory over Launceston Youth. The win made it 2 from 2 in the league with a scintillating first half showing. Jacob Smith, Charlie Castlehouse, Dylan Jones, Colby Collier, Noah Maund & Brandon Gavican-Lapthorn made it six at the break and game over.
The second half was a case of just seeing out the game and maintaining a clean sheet which they duly obliged and added a further two goals through Luca Tsinavas and a Collier 2nd rounded off the performance. It’s early stages but Parkway have Under 18’s have hit the ground running so far this season.
4 - Drake Youth 8 - Plymouth Parkway
We start at Trafalgar, that’s the DJM U13 division and a Parkway youth side managed by Mark Smith. Following on from a midweek thriller in which Jayden Tranter hit all four goals in a 4-3 win away at Saltash, they would look to make it three wins from three as they travelled to Drake Youth.
They would get off to the perfect start as Leo Orford rippled the net from a Jayden Tranter cross as the hero of midweek turned provider. In a frantic opening 15 minutes, Drake would level the game up only for the same duo to link up again as Tranter found Orford who made no mistake to restore Parkway’s lead.
In an end-to-end fast paced game, Drake again pulled level as Parkway’s resilience would be tested. The youngsters battling qualities would be clear to see and in the 22nd minute, Frankie Paolantonio broke through the backline only to be fouled in the area leaving Leo Orford the chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot. The striker duly obliged as Parkway took the lead for the third time of the afternoon.
The shackles, now released after the penalty would see Tranter swap goals for assists as he teed up Paolantonio twice to make it 5-2 at the break. With the game over as a contest, both teams battled well in the second half, but Parkway’s goal threat would be the difference once again. Orford would add his 4th of the game, Tranter would delicately lob the keeper to make it 7 and Alfie Chambers powered home a header from a Tranter corner to earn Parkway an 8th.
Drake would find two more goals at the death, but Parkway walked away with the spoils as the squad maintained their 100% start to the season.
1 - Plymouth Parkway Colts 0 - SB Frankfurt
Another Under 13’s outfit, Joe Pulley’s Parkway Colts would describe his side’s 1-0 win over SB Frankfurt as a game worthy of a cup final as Parkway walked away with the points. When these two sides meet, it’s always a very close contest and the previous five fixtures have been settled by just the one goal.
The game would stay true to form as Rome found a winner in the 30th minute but the resilience shown by his side may have please Pulley the most. SB would fly out of the blocks winning every 50/50 but the backline would soak up the pressure with some outstanding performances across the defence. Leading 1-0 at the break, Parkway would change things up at half time and a purple 15-minute spell by the SB Frankfurt keeper would somehow keep the score at 1. The last 15-minutes would see SB lay siege to the Parkway goal but again, the defence showed a maturity beyond their years as Parkway comfortably held on to take all 3 points.
Pulley would go on to say: Oliver Green gets a special mention today as he showed everyone how to defend and won every challenge put Infront of him. Josh’s first game at top league level showed with some fitness that he’ll be a great addition to the team. Well, played everyone and next week we have a game on Saturday and Sunday. Up the Parkway!!”
5 - Plymouth Parkway 1 - Drake Youth
“If honest, we never hit the standards we have been of late, and the pitch didn’t help us to pass the ball as we usually do but the boys dug in, and our physicality and power told in the end.” These were the words of Parkway Under 11’s manager Lee Sheldon following his sides 5-1 win over Drake Youth.
It was a big test that this young group of players past with flying colours as the Under 11’s showed their clinical side in front of goal. On a day that Danon had to don the gloves due to absentees, the Yellows would have to shuffle the pack, but it would be the usual suspects Roman and Reece and hit two apiece to make the game safe. For those watching on the day, they would have walked away seeing an early goal of the season contender as Henry hit a ‘worldie’ from around 35 yards out that wrapped up the win in style. Drake youth would hand the player of the match award to Issac, and Lee agreed: “MOM as nominated by Drake went to Isaac. Isaac ran the game for 20 mins in the second half, using his athleticism and power to make powerful runs and contribute with two assists. A great performance in the end and he showed some good ability on the ball to help his team.”
3 - Plymouth Parkway Colts 2 - morley
Wearing a smart new kit, and unbeaten this season so far, parkway U11 set out to show they meant business in this game against Morley. A strong start from Parkway demonstrating some dangerous and excellent passing in the box, opened the game in contrast to their previous opening game last week.
Clear, concise “set play”, worked on this week in training, was used to their advantage from the beginning as Parkway handled some great corners, narrowly missing chances on a few occasions. Up front, Rylee, Alfie, Kit and Jacob proved very strong and looked calm and smooth with some accurate passing and teamwork.
Maison A caused the opposition problems in midfield with his speed and power. In goal Jack made some confident saves when needed, keeping the team positive and heads high.
A beautiful moment in the game, and one reason he was given player of the match today, saw Evan receive the ball just before the penalty spot and drive with pace and determination scoring a powerful first Parkway goal.
Within a matter of minutes, another goal was delivered from the wing, Rylee hammered the ball home for 2-0. A great strike from Oscar in midfield was just wide but it served as a reminder that everyone meant business in this game.
The managers made a shift around in midfield and the sweeping from players at the back and positive talking from the keeper, kept the ball out and into Parkway’s half for most of the first half.
Just into the second half, Morley stole a goal back which just motivated the strikers further and Evan claimed it right back with a beautiful curling goal making the score 3-1
For a very few moments of the game, the boys lost their way and conceded, despite every effort from Jack the keeper. But they picked this back up, collected themselves and finished the game with excellent final play by the boys, working to keep possession right up until the final whistle.
Another fine weekend all round for the Youth System, thank you to volunteers and parents for all your hard work.