PLYMOUTH PARKWAY FOOTBALL CLUB
www.plymouthparkwayfootballclub.co.uk
Match Report
League
STOKE GABRIEL
Sat 19 Mar, 2016
Attendance: 90
1
V
1
Plymouth Parkway FC
Ryan Richards (1)
FT Stoke Gabriel 1 (46) Plymouth Parkway 1 (Richards 67)
Hopes were high of victory against a Stoke side who had lost their last 6 games and sit 2nd from bottom of the league. In what was arguably their worst performance of the season, Parkway can consider themselves fortunate to escape with a point to keep their undefeated run going. A very bumpy surface coupled with a chilly wind blowing across the pitch made conditions difficult but that can be no excuse for a lacklustre overall performance which did not lack effort but lacked conviction and quality. Lining up in a 4 1 4 1 formation, Parkway took a long time to get going and Stoke were marginally the better side early on. Neither side could string more than a couple of passes together with poor first touches and passing generally lacking direction and quality. In fact the whole game was bereft of any real quality with Parkway only showing the occasional glimpse of what we know they are capable. Credit to Stoke though who hassled and harried, denying Parkway any time on the ball. Parkway did however create a couple of half chances with two scrambled efforts being cleared off the line and a header from Mike Smith rebounding to safety off a post. That was as good as it got. Stoke were denied an opener towards the end of the half when Martin Piper saved well low down to his right from a long range effort. Surely the second half would get better. Parkway reverted to 4 4 2 at half time with striker Ryan Richards replacing midfielder Carlton Farnham after the break. With most of the 40 or so Parkway diehards still emerging from the warmth of the well appointed clubhouse, Stoke took the lead in the 46th min from a header by their No 6, so I'm told!! Play continued to be scrappy although Parkway now looked slightly more dangerous with 2 up front. Retaining of possession remained a problem with passes continuing to go astray and the ball spending as much time off the pitch as on it!! Stoke continued to be dangerous on the break but their finishing was woeful with Piper rarely troubled. A rare movement of quality, out of keeping with all that had gone before, resulted in Parkways equaliser on 67 mins. A long sweeping ball to the right wing found Callum Thompson, who had switched from left back. Controlling it well and beating his man on the outside, he delivered a delightful cross to the far post where substitute Richards rose above his taller marker and powered in a header. Could this be the turning point? No! Play continued in the same fragmented manner and as Parkway pushed men forward, so Stoke had numerous chances on the break most of which missed the target or were halted by last ditch tackles and brave goalkeeping. A very patchy performance in which Parkway were lucky to escape with a draw in my opinion. Bad day at the office. Todays other results mean we stay in 6th place with Stoke remaining 2nd from bottom. Tuesday sees us travel to the opposite end of the Peninsula when we visit Falmouth Town in yet another rearranged fixture. Having recently drawn 2-2 with them at home and seeing they beat Exmouth 7 (seven) 0 at home today, an interesting evening should be in store.
Starting line up
Substitutes used
