Mitchell heads to Parkway as Craske joins Tivy

PLYMOUTH Parkway have taken advantage of their link up with Plymouth Argyle by taking young defender Ethan Mitchell on a one-month loan.

Now that the ambitious nonleague club are competing at Step Four of the National League System, it allows them to take players on loan from professional clubs, something which can help Parkway, Argyle and young players wanting to develop their game.

Mitchell is the first to benefit from such a move and is set to be included in the Yellows’ squad for tonight’s Southern League Division One South clash at home to Bideford at Bolitho Park.

“We have had to be patient because obviously their numbers have been limited and I am grateful to Ryan Lowe, who has allowed for this to happen,” Parkway boss Lee Hobbs said.

“He improves our team with his versatility and he is another number for us and, hopefully, between myself and Ethan, we can make it work out for him.

“The player will join us for our game with Bideford and we will put a plan together but, first and foremost, he has to get a shirt first. It is up to my players who currently have the shirt not to give it to him.”

Asked what he liked about Mitchell, Hobbs added: “He is big, he is strong, he is 6ft 4in and he is a good footballer.

“He is combative, he is a good character and he deserves this opportunity to gain some first team experience with us and within the Southern League.”

Mitchell, who captains the under18 side at Home Park has made one senior appearance for the Pilgrims, coming on a substitute in that 3-1 win over Newport County last season.

Mitchell is not the only player leaving home Park with midfielder Finley Craske heading out to Tiverton Town of the Southern Premier Division, also on a month-long loan.

Craske made his Pilgrims debut in a 3-1 win over Newport County AFC in the Papa John’s Trophy in November 2020.

He has gone on to play twice more for the Greens, making his Sky Bet League One debut on the final day of last season away at Gillingham, before starting the Papa John’s Trophy loss to Newport in August.