Old Parkonians 1 - 4 Old Westminster Citizens

After a good set of results last week, Parks approached this SAL league game with a certain degree of confidence. Against a side they had beaten 5-1 earlier in the season, Parks complacency was evident from the start, and West Citz's upset the form book with a well-deserved 4-1 win.

Parks started competently in freezing conditions, and for the first ten minutes looked to be in control. Knapman was seeing a lot of the ball down the right flank, and was unlucky not to claim an assist when a drilled cross just eluded Parmenter at the far post. Another well worked move started with Jamieson working the ball to Knapman, but his flick saw Pascoe skew the volley wide from the penalty spot. Collins should have scored when a quick free kick by Mason and Knapman set him up six yards out, but his shot was too close to the keeper who saved well. It seemed only a matter of time before Parks broke down the visitors, but on twenty minutes a West Citz's corner was only half-cleared, and then returned into Turner's bottom left corner to give them the lead. This was the turning point and Parks never seemed to be able to recover. With a very sluggish midfield quartet unable to retain possession, and a forward line that provided few options, Parks looked a different side from previous weeks.

After the turn around, the story was much the same. Parks were chasing a well organised West Citz's side, who were giving little away both in terms of chances and possession. The home side were finding it difficult to build any thing out of the back line, where the ball was given away far to cheaply, more often than not without any pressure being applied. Parks did have a couple of half chances to level the scores at 1-1, but could not convert them. The second goal killed Parks off and, in going for an equaliser, Parks conceded a third; a very well taken chip from 25 yards, catching Turner off his line. Collins did manage to find the net for the home side, from a neat Jamieson run and cross, but it was way too late. West Citz's then proceded to go down the other end and restore the three goal deficit on the break.

With other results at the top going their way Parks could have gained ground on their promotion rivals, but a very disappointing performance and result leaves Parks with a lot to do to get back the form of previous weeks.

Scorer: Collins
Man of the Match: Knapman

Report by Tim Cross