Chipping Sodbury Town 0
Plymouth Parkway 4
12th Sep 2020 Toolstation Western League Premier Division
Early league leaders Plymouth Parkway were the latest visitors to the Ridings and after two defeats in their opening two games the Sods were hoping to turn their fortunes around.
The early exchanges produced the opening chance of the match for the home side when Jordan Simpson put Kalum Youngsam through and his goal bound lob of the oncoming keeper was cleared off the line by the Plymouth defender.
Jonah Beer’s shot from the edge of the box six minutes later was comfortably saved by Moore in the Plymouth goal and as the game opened up both sides continued to push for an opening goal. The home side were proving to be more than a match for their visitors and it wasn’t until the fifteenth minute that they threatened Simsek’s goal when Richards narrowly failed to get on the end of a cross to the far post.
The visitors gradually took control of the next period of play and forced a series of corners. The home defence proved up to the task and looked threatening on the break. Josh Pandolfino worked hard leading the Sods line creating an opening on 24 minutes after beating two defenders, only to see his teammate just fail to control his cross field pass on the edge of the area.
A thigh injury to Simsek the home keeper on the half hour proved decisive. He recovered but his mobility was slightly restricted and when Plymouth won a corner with just two minutes of the half remaining Jordan Bentley rose unopposed to head home from 6 yards and give his side a 0-1 lead at the break.
The visitors nearly added to their lead just two minutes later when Richards chipped over from close quarters when it looked easier to score but it would have been a cruel blow to the Sods who had helped to produce an entertaining and high quality first half.
The second half began with the Sods looking to find the equaliser and just four minutes in Youngsam was put through on goal after some excellent closing down by the home midfield. He shot wide but it showed intent and the Sods could have levelled just a few minutes later when a three on two break ended in a corner.
The fast pace of the first half gave way to a more scrappy second period with the visitors resorting to the long ball and both sides struggling to gain a foothold. The visitors looked the more threatening as the half progressed and on 65 minutes they took a two nil lead when substitute Landricombe volleyed from just inside the area after the home defence had failed to clear. Just four minutes later Landricombe added his second and his sides third when he again finished from close quarters after the Sods had left him unmarked.
Plymouth added a fourth on 80 minutes when Richards took advantage of some hesitant defending after a goalmouth scramble and fired home from just a few yards out.
The Sods can take heart from a spirited first half performance against one of the leagues strongest outfits. It is clear that as the season progresses the hard work
and determination of the players and the clubs new management team will start to pay dividends.
Report - Mark Lloyd
