Toolstation Western League
Premier Division
Plymouth Parkway 4, Bridgwater Town 1

SUBSTITUTE Jake Llewellyn’s 40-yard lob 10 minutes from time meant that Bridgwater Town drew the second half 1-1, which was an achievement in itself after the battering they took at Bolitho Park on Saturday, writes Kerry Miller.

It masks the fact that it was Town’s only shot on goal in the game, and that only some sterling defensive work in front of another superb 90 minutes from Jake Viney, plus some profligate finishing from league leaders Plymouth Parkway, prevented a cricket score.

That was no disrespect to Dave Pearse and Karl Baggaley’s threadbare squad, who included debutant Tom Fry, whose playing career to date includes 15 appearances in the Scottish League and whose classy first touch and distribution will become more beneficial against lesser opposition.

Parkway have assembled an awesome squad on what is undoubtedly an equally awesome budget, with former Taunton Town players Matt Wright, Craig Veal and Rob Farkins joined in the squad by the Landricombe brothers and River Allen.

Veal almost created a goal inside 30 seconds for Callum Hall, and Parkway continued going through the gears in forcing goalkeeper Viney to tip over efforts from Veal, Mikey Williams and Billy Palfrey inside 15 minutes.

It only delayed the inevitable, as Veal’s close range header was somehow kept out by Viney, only for Wright to net the rebound.

Former Tiverton Town favourite Allen then brought another acrobatic stop from Viney, before two goals in the last five minutes of the half emphasised Parkway’s dominance.

Allen netted with a brilliant curling effort, and two minutes later Veal was given the freedom of Bolitho Park to wander through and beat Viney.

The attacks kept coming after the break, and after a treble save from Viney on the hour, an Allen penalty made it 4-0, after Wright and Jordan Greenwood had collided in the area.

Fry came close with a free-kick before Bridgwater claimed the goal their endeavour deserved.

The ball was half cleared to Llewellyn, and his lob was precise, although it took a linesman’s flag to determine it had crossed the line having bounced down off the bar.

This coming Saturday (3pm) sees Bridgwater make the short trip to Clevedon Town.