Langsford Park had stood up to the previous day’s rain and passed the mornings inspection by the referee for this eagerly awaited match between first and second in the League. Writes Eric Pinch
It was a game the lambs had to win to get within 10 points of parkway winning all their games in hand and it would and will take a massive dip in form of the leaders for the Lambs to get anywhere near them in the league table.
The lambs were missing the injured Ben Cross and Liam Prynn but welcomed new signing Dan Barrow. The Club also welcomed Manager Stuart Henderson’s under 9 and 10s academy as ball boys for the game.
It was parkway who got off on the front foot with a couple of free kicks and a corner that came to nothing and the first chance for the home side on 8 minutes with Josh Grant firing wide. Moore flicked away a Talon Burns free kick for a corner. Jack Crago then saw his header go wide from a Grant cross. Luke Brown then saw his long shot chip over the keeper go over the bar.
The Lambs saw another chance go begging as Grants low cross was just out of reach of Burns to slot home. Dave Hallett had to leave the field after a nasty forehead gash that required stiches
On 23 minutes parkway had a great chance to take the lead when former Lambs Striker Glyn Hobbs broke free for a one on one with Josh Oak but the keeper deflected his shot for a corner.
Parkway then found themselves down to 10 men as Pople received a second caution.
The lambs forced a series of free kicks and corners before they took the lead just before half time.
Crago won the ball back in midfield to free Burns and his cross field ball found Brown in the area to round his marker and coolly slot home past keeper Moore.
The Radio Devon reporter said to me prior to the second half kick-off will there be fireworks this half. I said no doubt there will be. But neither of us expected what would happen..
Warren Daw got fouled in the first minute with a free kick awarded against him.
A minute later he was deemed to have fouled Smith. He was given his second yellow but in this stoppage somehow keeper More came from his goal to receive his second yellow and Hobbs got in on the act striking Crago. To add to all this both managers were sent from the field for coming onto the pitch. It is now 10 v 8 in favour of the Lambs.
It then all became a very tactical game and the tempo seemed to have slowed down in Parkways favour.
Brown struck the Parkway crossbar and the red cards did not stop as Josh Robbins picked up a straight red that seemed to be a bit harsh but it was part and parcel of what had all gone before.
There was about 2 minutes left of normal play when Lewis Daw rose to head home a Burns corner.
It looked to be all over but there was going to be a great deal of added time with the cards and injury.
Parkway took full advantage and in the 4th minute defender Rob Farkins swept home to reduce the deficit and then in the 8th minute substitute Luke Derham brought the scores level to send the Parkway Faithful into wild celebrations. That point almost sealed the Championship to the Plymouth side.
Fair play to the parkway for coming back to draw level with just 8 men but it was a game that the Lambs will look back on as another that has slipped from their grasp.
It would now appear that second spot is there destiny but they will never give up until it is mathematically impossible to go further.