Findon Park, Parkvale
I’ve been to Findon Park twice now to see Parkvale play. The first time was funnily enough against Formartine United, who were playing one of their last games as a junior team before stepping up to the Highland League. Today saw Parkvale host Nairn St Ninian in the 2nd division of junior football’s north region. Findon Park is a ground that has only 2 sides to stand at, as the other 2 don’t have enough space to add railing. On one side is the little structure of dugouts attached to a mini enclosure. The setup here is actually quite good though; the pitch is reasonably flat, the facilities are in good condition and the team play some good football too. Parkvale played in their all maroon kit whilst Nairn occupied their light blue shirts, maroon shorts and light blue socks. Parkvale were looking to add more points to their tally as they look to bounce back from relegation last year and win the division 2 title.
The game has started with Parkvale on the upper hand but couldn’t find a chance to test the Nairn keeper. It was Nairn who were to have the first chance of the game. A through ball found their number 10 and he rounded the keeper but only to see his shot hit the side netting. Parkvale then had a chance of their own when their number 7 ran down the right wing and his cross found number 10 who played the ball back to number 9 but he blasted over from 10 yards. He should really have done better but plenty of time to make up for it. They almost took the lead not long after from a corner but number 11’s header from number 6’s corner just went wide of the post. Their captain who was having a good game was unlucky to see his spectacular volley from the edge of the box crash off the corner of the goal..JPG.opt738x553o0,0s738x553.JPG)
It was looking as if it was going to be a game of chances but no goals as Nairn’s number 6 got his head onto number 2’s cross but his header also hit the bar. They almost had another chance to break but number 8 wasn’t able to progress after a good challenge from the Parkvale centre back. Nairn’s best chance of the half fell to number 7 just at the edge of the box as his volley was heading into the bottom right corner but again the keeper made a save. Finally a goal was to come as Parkvale’s number 9 was pushed just inside the box and captain number 8 stepped up and put the ball into the bottom corner, despite the goalkeeper getting a touch..JPG.opt664x498o0,0s664x498.JPG)
1-0 Parkvale and the Nairn players were getting frustrated as they were constantly moaning at the referee and this saw number 8 booked. The final two chances fell to Parkvale. Firstly number 6 crossed the ball for 10 but his header went wide before number 8 was played through on the left and he played a low ball across for 11 but he didn’t have enough time to shoot as Nairn’s number 5 made a successful challenge. In between these two chances Parkvale’s number 7 was booked for moaning at the referee. He was lucky not to have been sent off for continuing to do so..JPG.opt738x553o0,0s738x553.JPG)
The second half didn’t produce much chances and the tempo of the game reduced. Nairn’s number 3 almost scored a cracker of an own goal when his attempted volley clearance went the wrong way but lucky for him it was straight at the keeper. Further frustration from Nairn saw their number 4 booked for kicking the ball away. Their number 8 put a header wide from a free kick by number 3 from the left wing. Again a Nairn player was booked for moaning but he had a point in doing so. Their number 6 was tackled badly by a Nairn player and advantage was played but he didn’t keep possession and he put in a bad challenge with resulted in a Nairn free kick. This frustrated the number 2 as he felt there was no advantage and I think he was right. Parkvale doubled their advantage 10 minutes from the end when number 8’s long range shot was only palmed out by the keeper and number 7 finished from the rebound. Parkvale then brought on number 12 who I know from school. Jonathon Brier was his name and he was given a gift to add a third for Parkvale. The ball was bouncing high and Nairn’s number 5 misjudged it and allowed Jonny to latch onto it and lift the ball over the advancing keeper for 3-0 and full time. A gift for Jonny and I will be sure to let him know about it. It was a good game in good conditions, apart from the half time downpour of hailstones.
