Report

After their excellent result in the previous round away at Old Salesians, Parks made the far shorter trip along the A406 to Old Edmontonians in the 2nd round of the AFA Senior Cup. With ever present midfielders Mark Jamieson and Dave Worthington unavailable, Rich Tromans came in for his first start of the season and Joe Huxley switched from defensive duties to centre midfield, with James Billingham standing in as skipper.

Parks started the match very well, quickly imposing themselves on lower league opposition. It took the visitors only 5 minutes to take the lead. Awarded a free kick 25 yards out from goal, Dominic Dowling struck a good effort which the Edmontonians goalkeeper completely misread and could only palm into the roof of his net.

Dowling soon got his second of the day, an excellent through ball from Rob Tromans sent Chris Sharkey clean through on goal. With the in form winger looking to round the home team keeper, he was brought down by the keepers out stretched arm. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and Dowling coolly dispatched his second spot kick of the season.

Two quickly became three, almost from kick off Parks won the ball. Through good pressure from the visitors the ball broke to Rich Tromans who fed his elder brother down the left wing. The striker played a dangerous first time ball across the face of the goal. With Chris Sharkey waiting at the far post the home teams left back could only divert the ball into his own net in his attempts to clear.

With less than 15 minutes gone, the away side were 3-0 up and cruising. As has been the case in recent weeks however good starts have given way to sloppy periods. From a poor piece of possession Parks lost the ball 40 yards out from goal. The home team quickly played the ball into the penalty area, where Matt Martin, in a last ditch attempt to win the ball back could only foul the Edmontonians striker. With their usual penalty taker amusingly ordered to leave the pitch to remove an earring, his strike partner stepped up and made no mistake. His scuffed shot bouncing agonisingly over Lysandrou who had dived the right way.

The set back of conceding appeared to affect the away side who were struggling to impose their passing game in what were difficult conditions and against solid and aggressive opposition. They did create an excellent chance to regain their 3 goal lead when an unselfish Rob Tromans cross found Chris Sharkey with an open goal. However with the aforementioned conditions playing an unfortunate role, the ball bounced horribly as the winger went to roll home, and the chance was lost.

It what was becoming an eventful first half, the home side pulled a second goal back when, following the concession of a free kick on the right hand side, the away side failed to deal with the initial delivery. The ball bounced back in the air and following a questionable challenge on Lysandrou the ball fell to the Edmontonians striker who had the simple task of rolling into a vacant net.

HT: Old Edmontonians 2- 3 Old Parkonians

It was important for Parks to start the second half strongly against opponents who were regaining their belief after the initial setback of conceding 3 in 15 minutes.

In truth the visitors failed to impose themselves in the second half and created very little. To their credit the home side dominated possession and kept Parks on the back foot, albeit without creating any clear cut chances.

The bobbly pitch continued to play its part and despite being unable to put together any good passing moves Parks should be pleased with their collectives efforts defensively against tough opponents. They managed to see the game out well with Lysandrou only being called into action to make one good catch when it looked like the Edmontonians striker was about to head home.

FT: Old Edmontonians 2- 3 Old Parkonians

In one of their less convincing performances of the season Parks can be pleased that they managed to grind out a result when not playing as well as they can. Two further cup matches are due up, starting with a home tie (the first in about 10 weeks...) against Civil Service next week.