Seymour’s dramatic goal seals a super comeback from Parkway
BEN Seymour struck a dramatic stoppage time winner as Plymouth Parkway turned a 2-0 half-time deficit round to win 3-2 at North Leigh and progress to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. Things were looking bleak for Lee Hobbs’ side as they went in at the break two goals down, but Billy Palfrey reduced the arrears ten minutes into the second half.
Jared Lewington restored parity on 71 minutes before Seymour’s clever finish at the death. It means all eyes will be on tomorrow’s lunchtime draw to see who Parkway will face next, and it is the first time in their history that Parkway have reached this stage of the competition.
On a sloping pitch, a cagey opening spell saw both sides feeling each other out with the first chance falling to Parkway on eight minutes. A dangerous cross from Ryan Lane on the left forced a corner from which Callum Rose, rising highest at the far post, saw his header well saved low down by Adam North.
Read More - Plymouth Parkway keen to have a real crack at the FA Cup
The hosts, with the tricky Amer Awadh prominent in midfield, gradually began to dictate the pace of the game and they took the lead on 18 minutes, A free kick swung in from wide on the right saw central defender Luke Carnell glance his header from around six yards wide of Kyle Moore into the far corner.
North Leigh doubled their lead on 23 minutes when a break along the left saw the ball played into Roger James some 30 yards and his low shot took an awkward bounce just in front of Moore who was unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.
The home side almost went 3-0 in front only for Aaron McCreadie to strikle the crossbar, but it was no means one-way traffic as Parkway saw enough of the ball and created opportunities of their own. Now playing down the slope, and with a change of formation and shape at half time, Parkway started the half the sharper playing at a higher tempo and they soon reduced the arrears.
A quick throw in on the left found Seymour who cleverly set up Palfrey who drilled a low first time strike into the bottom corner from around 30 yards. With Parkway now dictating the pace of the game, dominating possession and restricting the hosts to counter attacks, they drew level on 71 minutes. A well flighted free kick from the right by Ryan Lane saw Lewington timing his run well to glance his header wide of North.
Play began to open up with neither side seemingly settling for a replay with both searching for a third goal. North Leigh thought they’d won it only for Steele’s shot to come back off the crossbar, while North denied Parkway substitute Jack Crago. Parkway snatched victory in the 93rd minute when a powerful header in behind the hosts’ defence from Austen Booth saw the speedy Seymour outpace the last defender and just beat the advancing North to the ball and bravely and coolly lob into the empty net from around 15 yards, before colliding with the burly keeper.
An enthralling, hard fought game with Parkway again showing their grit, resilience and determination by recovering from two goals down at the break and extending their unbeaten run to four games, albeit all in cup ties. It is hoped the momentum can now be built upon and be taken into their league programme which continues next Saturday when they travel to Hampshire to meet Hartley Wintney, who currently lie 19th in the league, two places above Parkway.
Tiverton Town will be wondering what could have been as they crashed to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Yate Town.
The match was just five minutes old when Yate defender Brandon Smalley was given his marching orders for bringing down Tom Purrington, but the Bluebells then went in front when Tiverton captain Jamie Richards was caught dallying on the ball by Prince Henry, who ran through to score on the half hour mark.
Just four minutes later, though, Tiverton were reduced to ten men when Kane Simpson picked up his second yellow card of the game after accidentally colliding with the goalkeeper.
Tivvy substitute Lucas Vowles levelled things up on 77 minutes, turning in Niall Thompson’s cross, but disaster struck moments later when Khari Allen drilled a fine low shot from distance that flew past Lewis Williams and found the bottom corner.
Herlston Athletic will have to do it all again after they drew 3-3 at Bishop’s Cleeve.
Steve Colwell gave Helston an early lead which was cancelled out by half-time before Rubin Wilson put the Cornish side back in front.
Tom Payne made it 3-1, but Southern League Division One South side Bishop’s Cleeve ensure a replay in Cornwall tomorrow night when they struck twice, including a 95th minute equaliser.