Scintilating first half display sets Parkway up for Vase victory

PLYMOUTH Parkway are through to the fifth round of the FA Vase for the second season running after seeing off Western League rivals Clevedon Town at Coach Road, Newton Abbot,

Parkway made one change from last week’s third round victory over Fareham Town with the experienced Football League midfielder Jamie Lowry starting in place of the injured Callum Hall, whose broken arm has ruled him out for the season.

Parkway made a blistering start and could have taken the lead in the first minute. A break on the right saw Matt Wright go clear only to see his angled shot blocked by Harley Wilkinson in the visitors’ goal.

Lee Hobbs’ side continued to play at a high tempo and control the game forcing the visitors on to the defensive and denying them any forward momentum.

With Billy Palfrey, River Allen and Lowry controlling the midfield with their movement and range of passing, it was no surprise that Parkway took the lead on 13 minutes. A fine diagonal ball from Palfrey found Mikey Williams in space wide on right and his first touch, trickery and pace took him past his marker and into the 18-yard where he deftly sidefooted across Wilkinson into the far corner for a fine solo goal.

It was all Parkway as they threatened to overrun the visitors, dominating possession, looking dangerous with every attack and forcing Clevedon into some desperate defending.

Little was seen of Clevedon in their attacking third as they struggled to get men forward with the Parkway defence looking solid and in control with keeper Kyle Moore rarely being tested and they began to show their frustration with Callum Gould picking up the game’s first yellow card.

On 41 minutes, Parkway doubled their lead as their pressure finally paid off. A superb 50-yard cross-field ball from Lowry found Williams wide on the right and after a sublime first touch, he outpaced his marker. Showing good awareness, he picked out the supporting, unmarked Allen at the far post who tapped in easily from close range.

It was an outstanding half from Parkway, who controlled and dominated the game from the start creating numerous chances. Only some fine goalkeeping and desperate defending by the visitors kept the score line at 2-0. Clevedon made a more determined start to the half but it was Parkway who created the better chances.

The game developed into a much more even affair as Clevedon pressed harder denying Parkway the space or time on the ball that they had enjoyed in the first half. However, with Parkway less dominant and guilty of conceding possession in midfield too often and Clevedon competing much better, play went through a scrappy phase with fewer chances being created.

Steve Colwell replaced Allen on 82 minutes as Parkway looked to run the clock down and manage the game out and Palfrey was replaced by Shane Krac for his first appearance of the season on 88 minutes.

Clevedon’s improved second half performance was eventually rewarded in the second minute of stoppage time when substitute Morgan Williams hooked home from close range shortly before the full time whistle.

However it was Parkway who progressed to the fifth round (last 16) next Saturday when they will entertain Hellenic league Flackwell Heath from Buckinghamshire, who went through 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Lancing.

Flackwell Heath were top of their league having played only seven games, losing just once before their season was curtailed.