Old Parkonians 2 - 1 Lensbury (Southern Amateur League)

Parks continued their unbeaten league run with a 2-1 win at home to Lensbury in this SAL Division 2 encounter on Saturday at Oakfield.

Playing the first half with the wind at their backs, Parks started slowly, and couldn't really impose their style on the game against a very sharp opposition midfield. The home side were pushed back and had to settle for chasing Lensbury down for the first ten minutes, without a great deal of possession for themselves. The visitors did not really create any clear cut chances, thanks to Gaughan, Bernstein and the impressive Collins, and, after twenty minutes, it was Parks' turn to get on top, and dominate proceedings.

However, Parks really did strike lucky for the first goal. Cross won the ball in midfield and released Jamieson, who fed Knapman on the right. His cross drifted to the goalkeeper, and, as Knapman chased down his own pass, the keeper's clearance struck him on the back and went in. It was a fortuitous start to the scoring, but the lift that Parks needed. Soon after, Parmenter released Chadwick, whose lob from 20 yards dropped just wide.

The goal was the difference between the two sides at the break, and it was obvious that the game was far from over. As expected, Lensbury came out for the second half very quickly, and it was only a last gasp intervention from Collins that stopped them drawing level in the opening thirty seconds of the half. The home side were working very hard for any possession they did get, and then working hard to keep the ball when they had it. Parks looked like they had weathered the storm, when Lensbury struck to draw level, a deep corner was not properly cleared, and in the scramble that developed, Turner had no chance with a close range header.

It was now up to Parks to show the resilience that has characterised their league performances this season, and they did not disappoint. The midfield trio of Jamieson, Mason and Cross, began to take control, and bring Knapman and Keogh into the game. Jamieson brought a brilliant save out of the keeper with a fine solo effort, and Knapman dragged a shot wide, after he managed to work himself some space. As the game opened up, Parks began to dominate, and after a valid handball penalty claim was dismissed, Parks took a deserved lead.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Knapman and Jamieson combined on the right, with the latter showing great skill to release Parmenter. The centre forward skipped round the defender, and cooly struck the winner with his left foot into the far corner. Lensbury never really mounted a serious attempt on goal after that, and Parks ran out winners, to take them to second in the table on goal difference after three games.

Scorer: Knapman, Parmenter
Man of the Match: Parmenter
Team: Turner, Gaughan, Collins, Bernstein, Keogh, Mason, Jamieson, Cross, Knapman, Parmenter, Chadwick. Sub: Kemp.

This Saturday, Parks travel to Winchmore Hill in SAL 2nd Division - 3pm KO.

Report by TC