Plymouth Parkway 5 Paulton Rovers 1

The scoreline belies a valiant effort from the young Paulton side, who three times hit the woodwork against a good experienced Plymouth Parkway side in front of a crowd of 442 containing a smattering of visiting support.

Rovers only had sixteen-year-old Harley Prior as a recognised striker and he started on the bench. Dan Cootle was away with work commitments and Leighton Thomas out with a swollen ankle.

On three minutes Leighton Tuodolo made a great run, racing past three defenders only to be fouled. Ed Butcher’s resultant free kick rattled the cross bar with the keeper beaten.

Parkway broke and took a seventh minute lead as Jack Crago’s low cross was turned home by Mike

Williams.

Lee Ibrahim set up Tuodolo, who fired over as Rovers looked to respond, but in the 19th minute Parkway made it 2–0 as a right wing corner from Harry Davis found Williams whose chip across goal was headed home by centre half, Aaron Bentley.

Paulton Captain, Nuno Felix and Butcher both tested the home keeper, Kyle Moore, whilst his opposite number, Aaron Sainsbury, turned a shot from Jordan Copp for a corner.

George Fowler came on at half-time for the injured Braeden Symes, as Paulton tried to claw their way back. On 48 minutes, Sainsbury brilliantly saved from Copp’s free kick.

Rovers had a great chance on the hour as substitute Jake Sloggett laid the ball to James Byrne whose cross was headed wide by Dave O’Hare.

Two minutes later it was 3–0 as Davis crossed for Crago to head home giving Sainsbury no chance.

A minute later Sloggett’s cross was met by O’Hare, who drove a powerful low shot which hit the post.

Paulton pressed and Sloggett fired wide then Fowler found Butcher whose shot was blocked for a corner which Sloggett took and Butcher volleyed wide.

Parkway grabbed a fourth on 74 minutes as Sainsbury could only parry Williams’ shot and the onrushing Adam Carter headed home.

Paulton did get a consolation on 85 minutes as Butcher’s run down the left saw his low cross turned into the net by Fowler.

Ibrahim then hit the post, Butcher brought a save from Moore and Sloggett’s dipping volley was narrowly over the cross bar.

In add-on time, Crago played one-two with Carter to gain his second goal and complete the 5–1 home win.

On Saturday there is another trip to Devon – this time to Barnstaple Town, kick-off 3 pm with the coach leaving the club at 10.30 am. Supporters wishing to travel should add their name to the list in the club house.

The Reserves lost 2–1 at home to Glastonbury Reserves and on Saturday are away to Peasedown Albion Reserves in a Cup game, kick-off 2 pm.

The Youth team are Away on Thursday, 23rd September in the Western Counties Floodlit Youth League to Bishop Sutton kick-off at 7.30 pm.

Last Thursday the U-18’s beat Portishead in the FA Youth Cup with goals from a Lewis Downing header and a Leo Miller finish. In the next round they will be away to Gloucester City U-18’s in the week beginning Monday, 4th October (to be confirmed).

The Ladies’ team play next Sunday: First Team Away at Swindon Supermarine. The Reserves are at Home to Pen Mill. The Development side are away to Burnham Utd Reserves.

All games kick-off at 2 pm Tony Walsh