Mitch Beardmore scores six in Plymouth Parkway win
On the Winter Solstice, Plymouth Parkway gifted the Yellow faithful an early Christmas present by hitting third-place Gloucester City for six. While Mitch Beardmore will steal the headlines for his six goals, it was a complete team performance that pleased the 265 in attendance.
Following Parkway’s mini unbeaten run of three Southern Premier League games, halted last weekend in dramatic late fashion away to Sholing, the squad returned home for the first time since November 9. Manager Chris McPhee made one change to his side, with Rio Garside returning to midfield in place of former Argyle academy striker James Edworthy, as Mitch Beardmore led the line. Parkway’s midfield engine room, Callum Hall, noted in the local press on the eve of the fixture that Parkway would look to release their shackles and take the game to their high-flying opponents.
The Tigers travelled to Devon in good form, sitting pretty in third spot ahead of a busy Christmas period, with wins against Poole and Chertsey Town in their previous two outings. Tigers’ boss Mike Cook made two changes to his side, replacing Harry Burns and Jadyn Crosbie with Dayle Grubb and Jaydn Crosbie.
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With the superb 5-star performance at Bolitho against Marlow now a distant memory, Parkway looked to seize the opportunity of an upset on a rain-swept afternoon in Plymouth. However, it was the visitors who made the early inroads, with Obinna Anaebonam looking sharp and a spell of quick, neat passing on a playing surface that remained in fine condition despite the recent rain engulfing the city. It would be the Tigers who fashioned the first chance of the afternoon, as Joseph Hanks, fresh from his halfway line strike in his last outing, tried an effort this time from the edge of the area, but his right-footed strike was saved well, low down to Ewan Griffiths’ left.
The early domination would kick Parkway into life as the Yellows slowly began to dictate the game. There would be no sign of passing side to side, but more of an energy and innovation to Parkway’s possession. This innovation would be on display as a no-look 25-yard defense-splitting pass from Beardmore left the evergreen Tom Dean through on goal, but his rushed effort was well saved by Jared Thompson in the Tigers’ goal. Parkway were now looking like a team enjoying themselves, not worried about the higher league opposition and concentrating on their style of football. On 13 minutes, a sweeping move down the left found its way to Jack Endacott, whose 20-yard effort rattled the crossbar with Thompson beaten.
Parkway, now with the momentum, put themselves in front on 15 minutes as fine work by Dean down the flank found Dylan Jones in the box, but his effort was well saved by Thompson. However, it was Mitch Beardmore who reacted quickest to put Parkway ahead. The Yellows doubled their lead three minutes later, with Beardmore again on hand to finish off a lovely Parkway passing move. The Tigers, shellshocked from a three-minute purple patch by the hosts, slowly tried to get a foothold in the game, but Parkway, whilst innovative, showed an element of reacting to the game situation as they began to dig in.
Some hidden hard work was on show for the next 20 minutes, perfectly orchestrated by the midfield three of Callum Hall, and Rio and Carlo Garside. The trio laid the foundations for the team to follow, as a now familiar back line of Endacott, White, Scarff, and Williams looked comfortable in and out of possession. Parkway continued to create moments throughout the first half, but it was their understanding of game management that would please the home fans. Griffiths was relatively untroubled in the Parkway goal and produced a fine save on the stroke of half-time to preserve Parkway’s two-goal advantage.
Many among the crowd were expecting to see a reaction from the Tigers as they began the second half, but it would be Parkway who would turn a good display into a superb one. The Yellow Army didn’t have to wait long for a third as another sweeping, quick, and direct move would see Beardmore well placed in the box to seal his hat-trick.
Parkway, now rampant smelt blood against what now looked like a Gloucester side who were already waving the white flag. Tom Dean would start and finish a move that would see his effort fly over the cross bar, but the home crowd didn’t have to wait long for a fourth. Callum Hall would turn from midfielder enforcer into creator following a sweeping move after Gloucester had rattled the bar, as his pass was seized upon by Beardmore whose sumptuous chip over Thompson would see him wheel away to celebrate his and Parkway’s fourth of the afternoon. Four became five six minutes later as the move of the game involving Tom Dean, Rio Garside and Mikey Williams would work its way to man of them moment Beardmore who notched his fifth of the game.
The hard-working Carlo Garside’s work was done on 59 minutes as winger James Watts-Barciela entered the fray. The Tigers began to show glimpses of why they sat third in the table, testing the Parkway backline, and when called upon, Griffiths in the Parkway goal remained alert, making a good stop on 68 minutes from a long-distance effort. With Parkway beginning to think about a clean sheet, it did not stop the flowing counter-attacks when they presented themselves, and after 71 minutes, it paid dividends. Dean again worked into the box, and after Gloucester failed to clear the ball twice, Beardmore showed his quality once more, nicking the ball and slotting home coolly from 10 yards as the youngster bagged two match balls with a double hat-trick.
The last 20 minutes played out similarly to the first half, as Parkway, despite being six up, understood their assignment of the importance of a clean sheet. The Tigers saw more of the ball, but a host of tactical changes by the Parkway management and some brave, last-ditch, bodies-on-the-line defending ensured the clean sheet remained intact. As the game wound down, a proper non-league moment took place in the 88th minute, as Mitch Beardmore left the field to a standing ovation, which included the travelling Gloucester City fans, who were in fine voice all afternoon despite the scoreline.
Parkway can’t get carried away with this victory as they begin to prepare for a hugely important three-game festive campaign, starting with a very difficult trip to Frome Town on Boxing Day. For Gloucester, this may just be a blip in the road to what could be a bounce-back return to the National League at their first attempt.
Despite not getting carried away, days like this are always savoured, and it’s another vast reminder that when Parkway get it right, they can be a match for anyone. Ups and downs will follow, but for now, we salute the squad, and for Mitch hitting six on what was one of those great Bolitho days.
