South Bank 2 - 3 Old Parkonians (Southern Amateur League)

Parks gained their fifth win out of six despite a poor performance against bottom of the table South Bank on Saturday. Parks started very slowly in blustery conditions and were not helped by the tiny, narrow pitch. They eventually fell behind after 20 minutes with the opposition forward finishing well after a lucky bounce put him through. This spurred on the Parks and Parmenter should have scored but for once his control let him down. The equaliser came shortly afterward when right-back Celotto played a one-two with Collins and lobbed the keeper (this was helped by the keeper falling over). Pascoe hit the post soon after and it looked as though they would go on and win comfortably.

The half-time interval could not improve the quality of both teams as long balls were the main weapons. But Parks went 2-1 up on the hour with Celotto again the main instigator. He volleyed a deep Mason free-kick back across the goal where the defender stabbed past his own keeper. We should then have gone on to wrap up the victory with Celotto and Mason a menace on the flanks but as ever this was not the case. The shaky offside trap was broken again and the same forward scored to make it 2-2. The game was condensed into the middle third until Mason broke through and slotted past the keeper with his right foot after a good through ball by Brent. With the back four looking stronger as the game went on, Parks held on for the three points but not without incident. Parmenter should have scored but blazed over and keeper Turner jarred his shoulder and had to be replaced by Clark in-between the sticks. Valuable points on the promotion trail but they will have to play better if this is to be achieved.

Scorers: Celotto, Own Goal, Mason
Man of the Match: Celotto
Unluckiest Man of the Match: Turner - Jarred shoulder, Strained his calf, Car broke down on the Redbridge roundabout - £8 please
Team: Turner (Clark); Celotto, Bernstein, Gaughan, Keogh; Brent, Jamieson, Collins, Mason; Pasoce, Parmenter.

Report by GT