With Plymouth Parkway FC hosting a 3rd round FA Vase fixture, it might have been acceptable for the discerning football supporter to believe the club's focus may not have been in south Devon for this fixture. However, when Chris Wright, last year's Peninsula League Golden Boot winner and Lee Doel, one of the league's leading central midfield players both rolled up duly cup tied having reecently signed for the Plymouth club from Saltash Utd, match predictions were hastily reconsidered. A heavy pitch and the promise of further inclement weather also promised to equate any differences thought to have existed between the teams and the game started on a proverbially much more level playing field.
Stoke began in inconsistent fashion with an apparent inability to retain possession or move the ball on the floor hampered by pressing opponents who had the first chance of the game on twelve minutes when Wright outpaced the Stoke rearguard only to be foiled by Chris Bashford in the home goal who smothered the shot in a 1 v 1 situation. Stoke nerves were settled four minutes later though, going ahead when a long Simon Laity throw from inside his own half was played back by Dave Worthington for Laity to sidefoot a sliderule pass to Ty Hawken who turned his defender and ran on before exquisitely chipping the oncoming keeper from twenty yards. Parkway were still a threat though with their industrious and pacey counter attack and Wright's continuing movement keeping the Stoke defence on its toes, with the highlight being an overhead kick from the predatory striker which led to a goalmouth scramble eventually being hacked away by Sam Green. At the other end Lewis Robinson's miscued shot from a good position could have put the game virtually out of sight in the first period. Half time came and went as did a notable downpour and the visitors emerged in the second half fired up and looking to disrupt the Stoke flow with a physical approach that Stoke matched but which, for the third quarter of the game, could have seen the quality of the game deteriorate if the incidents hadn't been superbly managed by both sets of players. The final quarter undoubtedly belonged to Stoke as they eventually put the outcome beyond doubt with two quick goals firstly from Dave Worthington on 81 minutes whose twenty yard volley from a Mark Newbould cross must be a goal of the season contender and two minutes later Hawken completed a brace when he went on a solo run down the right before cutting inside and rifling home from eight yards.
Safely into the last eight, with no real outsiders left in the draw, from hereon this will prove to be a competition where success may only come to those sides who can demonstrate a resolve and desire to match their footballing ability.