Ian Pethick

St.Blazy 1 Parkway 8 ( Hobbs 4,Joyce 3,Alexander) Not much to add to this really . A bit like shooting fish in the barrel for Parkway , we were willing Blazey to get a couple to wake us up ( something our defence did their best to oblige on once or twice) . We almost started to feel sorry for Blazey at one stage , although we then remembered that Blazey used to delight in doing this to other teams for many years ( Parkway included) .Very disappointed though that there seemed to be more in the bar than were paying to watch the game . Was good to see Bobby Oaten still managing a smile at the end though , I would guess that he's going to need every bit of that to see him through a long,hard season ahead . Good to see Bobby Oaten kept smiling . Oh,by the way, whos bright idea was it to have all three match officials from Plymouth . Good job there were no controversial incidents ....

Not sure who the ref was (unusually for me , I did not buy a program) , but if I was either of the linesmen ( sorry , assistant referees) then I would be having a choice word with my mate in the middle about the lack of back up I received . Constant abuse and bad language throughout the game, not merely frustration,but a genuine vendetta . Overheard what he said during the post match handshakes with Parkway's bench as well "nothing against you lads , it's the linesman I can't stand" was what I thought I heard .Going to Ivybridge versus Cullompton on Friday night,I will certainly interested in the behaviour of the Cullompton bench It was a shame really , take out the "opioniated" bench and the bits of playing acting and complaining from the players away , and I thought Cullompton looked a decent side . Knocked the ball around nicely, pacy and intelligent forwards and a very well organised and drilled defence . Certainly not sour grapes from the Parkway lads, thought we ran out of ideas towards the end of game and looked worryingly short of pace at the back and, not for the first time this season,sides seemed to be able to move through our midfield pretty easily . Cullompton worked out that if you stifle Glyn Hobbs,then you stop Parkway .

Yep saltash a great keeper also as is bodmins so it shows there are great keepers out there and all doing there jobs and to stop an argument in it's tracks not aware of Elphicks awards as not in Plymouth back then yes he is a good keeper very brave seen some great saves and injuries from him and did notice him in the herald.he is young and consistent and hope he has a good season for you.seen great saves from saltash keeper and ivybridges too my point was the person who started this topic is watching the wrong games as you can see lots of good keepers (even if they are from the teams we support) lol. Ben Elphick certainly has all the technical attributes to be a decent keeper , and I am pleased for the guy that the move to Torpoint seems to be working out . The main problem that Ben had at Parkway seemed to be that there always seemed to be an error about to happen . Playing for a team like Torpoint who are at the lower end of the league ( no offence intended) means that he is probably more involved and has more to do throughout the game . Keepers playing for the better clubs have less to do due to the probable dominance of play by these sides so , when the opponents do get a chance , it means they have been spectators for long periods and would have needed to keep their concentration going throughout in order to make a save . If they make a mistake , it gets remembered . A good example of this locally would have been Steve Nute , professionally David Seaman or Peter Schmichael

Don't know this answer on this one my friend , but Ryan Richards is a player who springs to mind who is no stranger to the leagues registration officer . Off the top of my head , has he already played for St.Blazey,Torpoint and Liskeard this season ?

League has got the look of a two horse race about it . Little to choose between Bodmin and Buckland . Little bit of a hollow title for both though if they won't give promotion a go , but that is a subject for another post which will no doubt stir up one or two emotions . I always feel that early October is when the league really begins though . The weather is getting colder and wetter , the new signings made in the summer have bedded down ( or thought better of it and moved on ) , we are into the Vase and Cups which will stretch resources at some clubs with smaller squads and the early season rush of momentum at some of the lesser clubs will have started to fade .

Parkway's passing really looked sharp in the first half , best I've seen it for a few weeks in fact .Lee Doel and Lance Bailey stepped up to the plate to run a threadbare midfield . Glyn Hobbs also looked right in the mood from the first whistle ( I've said it before , and i'll say it again , I would not swap him for any other player in the league when he is on song ) ,Tavistock also contributed to a good game by playing decent stuff right until the end and scored a pretty good goal to give them a glimmer at 4-2 . Still got one or two doubts about Parkways defending and concentration at times , it could have been a bit different had it but been for some top notch Matt Piper saves and profligate Tavvy finishing . Something that could well find us out against the likes of Bodmin and Buckland . Doug ,your life is going to be hell though when the missus finds out that you were playing away yourself last night ... :mellow:

Parkway looked a bit disjointed again , just as they have for several games . Had a couple of big let offs in the first half with Bovey hitting the bar and then missing a penalty . Glyn Hobbs goal was probably about the only memorable thing from a Parkway point of view . Too many players looked off the pace on Saturday , most notably Hobbs and Shane Krac . It is worrying that if those two are off colour , then the whole team is off colour . It does look to me like Chris Wright will be off . He has not looked happy all season , it has not helped that we have not really played to his strengths . If the Buckland rumours are true , then it will undoubtedly strengthen an already strong Buckland at our expense . It looks to me like we would need to bring in a new forward player to give us a more options after the departure of Andy Sargent ,and if Chris Wright goes , but I have no doubt that Gez and Wayne have a plan in place ( I would personally go for Sam Cooper of Liskeard for a bit of a physical presence upfront) .

Here at Parkway we have had a few 400+ attendances in the past couple of seasons , but they are always for midweek/Friday night games . This would be something of a worry if Parkway did manage to get themselves into a position for Western League football ( as is the stated aim ) as the Friday evening league games would be unlikely due to the increaded travelling from the Somerset/Wiltshire/Bristol area . The figure for Saturday fixtures is usually around the 100 mark . I am always disappointed by this considering that Plymouth has a population of more than 150,000, and that there are 10's of 1,000's living within 15-20 minutes walk from the ground , especially as many of these consider themselves to be football fans ( albeit very much the armchair/ stood in the pub supporting the Premier league types) . In the last couple of seasons I have introduced a mate , who has in turn introduced a mate , and they now consider themselves Parkway fans first and Premier League fans second . One of these guys came up with the point that many people still don't realise the club is there , and the standard of football played . We have came up with the idea that maybe the club could distribute posters showing fixture lists around local businesses,factories and pubs etc , maybe more people could be tempted to come along .

Agree with you Mr White .. While Ben Elphick makes good saves ,and seems like a nice bloke as well , don't think he is the top notch "Mr Reliable" that you need if you are going to challenge for the league . Wish Ben all the best though wherever he ends up , he can be assured of a decent reception when he comes back to Bolitho Park with a new club .

Important three points for Parkway , especially in the wake of Bodmin dropping points last night . Parkway started slowly with an injury depleted side ,in which the perpetual motion of Lee Doel and the steadying defensive influence of John Heveran ,who look like they could be missing for several weeks ,were badly missed . However , once they had settled down they fashioned plenty of chances which , due to a combination of wayward finishing and excellent goalkeeping, they didn't take . Parkway also had a very good claim for a penalty denied when Danny Brook was brough down in the area . It seemed the referee considered it a dive , which begged the question as to why Brook didn't receive a caution . This seemed to unsettle Parkway who lost their composure, a few players also seemed determined to talk themselves into the referees notebook as well ( the usual suspects I'm afraid) . The second half started off with Parkway on top again before Glyn Hobbs broke the deadlock with a typical run and shot right through the middle of the Witheridge back four . Witheridge then showed the form that has given them a good start to the season by fashioning several chances that caused an uncertain Parkway backline to ride their luck , Witheridge being incredibly unlucky not to score when they hit the underside of the bar . Parkway though doubled their advantage when their best player, and stand-in captain, Shane Krac made a long run through the middle to get onto the end of a pass , before cheekily rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into an empty net from inches out . Witheridge replied late in the game through a rifled shot from the edge of the area to ruin the clean sheet and give themselves hope, but it was too little late,too late .

Terrific curtain raiser . Saltash terrific first half , terrible second half , Parkway terrible first half , terrific second half . Don't know what was said/happened at half time , but the tactical /personnel and attitude change certainly did the trick . Were it not for the brilliant display form the Saltash keeper it could have been a hatfull to Parkway in the second half . Not convinced that Parkway can mount a title challenge with this level of defending though , I'm not singling out the back four alone ( even though they had a very edgy keeper behind them which must have been unsettling), but the whole team seemed very slow to get back into position when they lost the ball , in the first half Saltash seemed to pick up posession and run through the midfield at will . Something for the management team to sort out . Having said this though with Glyn Hobbs in the side and in the mood there's always a chance , I know he plays the game on the edge of the rules at time , but it is the job of the referee and linesmen to decide when he has offended and act accordingly , all I know is that when he is in the sort of form he displayed last night then I wouldn't swap him for any other player in the league . Superb game in front of a big crowd , even though the weather was miserable . Hopefully any first time spectators last night will go back to either Saltash or Parkway for more in the future . People in Plymouth should remember, that despite all the problems at Argyle , there is a club in the city that is on the up and providing exciting,incident packed football for a £4 entrance fee .

Well,that's almost that . After (what seemed like) a long close season, the talking ,speculation and rumours finish and we get down to the new season . I'm interested in what people think of the new additions that have been made to their club's squad . Do they think they add to it , do they think make it weaker , do they think they will gel with what you already have ? Or do you think they will have cleared off by the time the clocks change ? Liking the look of the new signings we have made at Parkway ( Matt David,Ben Evans,Dennis Mason and Ben Joyce), but I'm wondering where that leaves one or two of last seasons players ,and whether they will be happy as potential fringe players and bench warmers

Totally agree with many of the sentiments raised here . The touchline behaviour of the managerial teams in several of the matches I watched left much to be desired ( and that is putting it very kindly !! ) . One matche that I watched towards the end of the season immediately springs to mind , this was at Elburton where the home manager consistently turned the air blue with extremley offensive language . In fact , if he had expressed himself like this at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon on a busy high street then he would have been arrested for a public order offence . There was an elderly couple stood next to me watching this game , there discomfort was very apparent . I don't want to appear to be picking on Elburton exclusively though , many teams in the league were of a comparable standard . Myself and the guys who I watch games with most weeks were often left scratchibng our heads as to why the referees were not acting on this ( the best one I saw was the referee the bench to "calm down , or I woill be coming over" . They didn't and he didn't .) I would have to say though that the team I follow , Parkway, even allowing for our less than impressive on the field disciplinary record ( no getting away from that I'm afraid) , does appear to have one of the more restrained benches (mitigating circumstances on Bank Holiday excepted).