After scoring eight goals a week ago against Lithgow Zig Zag, Parkes United continued their good run of results with a 3-1 win over Souths in Bathurst last Saturday.
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Showing that when they have their strongest squad together they can match it with anyone, United started hungrier than the home side to lead 2-0 at the break.
They then scored the first goal after the break before a late consolation goal added some respectability to Souths’ score.
While Parkes went into the match sitting two spots below Souths on the ladder, they could have been a lot closer were they not penalised four points for fielding an unregistered player earlier this month.
United midfielder Ben Hawken said the team was pleased with the win but still had work to do.
“We showed good enthusiasm and if anything, we came out the hungrier of the two teams,” Hawken said.
“We made a good start with an early goal and passed the ball around well.
“We created a lot of opportunities and probably should have put another four or five goals on them.
“They had a number of penalty corners in the first half but never really threatened our goal, especially in open play.
“We will have to be more clinical in front of goals against the top teams if we are to compete,” he said.
United made the perfect start with a goal in the first two minutes before Souths had even touched the ball.
Good team passing led to a penalty corner.
The shot at goal hit a Souths defender’s foot on the goal-line, seeing the visitors awarded a penalty stroke.
Jack Elliott made no mistake to give United the lead.
10 minutes later it looked likely that Parkes would double their lead after Andrew Bourke was heavily stick checked inside Souths’ circle, leading to another stroke being awarded.
The home side’s goalkeeper did enough to force Elliott wide with his attempt for the score to stay at 1-0.
United did double their lead before half-time when Jacob Townsend made a searching run from his own half into Souths’ territory.
He found an open Kurt Lovett who beat the keeper with his shot for 2-0.
United were in again after the break when they converted a penalty corner to extend the gap to three.
Townsend had his first drag flick blocked by a Souths defender.
He reacted fastest to pounce on the rebound and slot home the visitor’s third.
A solid second half defensive display minimised any attacking opportunities for Souths, a late consolation goal the only breakthrough.
The win moves Parkes into fourth place, leapfrogging Orange Wanderers who they travel to play this Saturday.
A win will go a long way to securing a semi-final berth for United.
PARKES 3 (Jack Elliott, Kurt Lovett, Jacob Townsend) defeated SOUTHS 1 (Adam Campbell).
