Parkway in the hat for next round of FA Cup

PARKWAY entertained Southern League Division One South side Westbury United who play one level below Parkway at step 4 in the second Round Qualifying of the FA Cup.

- GRAHAM LLOYD

Four changes were made from the midweek 2-2 draw with Taunton Town with Exeter City loanees Tom Dean and Mitch Beardmore along with Callum Hall and Corey Koerner returning in place of Rio Garside and Will Armstrong and enforced absentees the injured Carlo Garside and the suspended Mikey Williams.

Parkway started at a lively pace with the visitors also making a sharp start with Marcel Lewis breaking clear along the right with his dangerous cross cleared away. Parkway were quickly into their stride and took the lead in the seventh minute.

A neat passage of play along the left saw Shane White release Dylan Jones who drove to the bye line and crossed to the incoming Joe Wragg who powered home an effort at the far post for his first goal for the club.

The visitors looking strong, physical and well organised responded well with Joe Beardwell and Lewis looking dangerous with Parkway doing well to clear a well directed cross from the right.

Play began to be evenly contested with Westbury looking to counter Parkway’s patient build up play and they drew level on 15 minutes after Charlie Walton broke clear and crossed towards Beardwell who glanced home a well directed header from around 12 yards to the far post.

The visitors continued to threaten and another break on 19 minutes saw a cross rebound off the bar and get scrambled away.

Parkway continued to patiently play from the back looking to probe openings but it was the visitors who went ahead on 23 minutes. Parkway conceded possession deep in the opposition half with Bevan Cross breaking clear and racing forward unchallenged past some half hearted tackling and threading a well timed ball to the unmarked Beardwell who drilled a low drive into the bottom corner from around 15 yards. Westbury continued to compete well with Parkway unable to turn their possession into any clear chances lacking composure at times when well set.