Thetownend.com

Shining star sam does it again
4th August 2002

SAM PARKIN rattled home an 85th-minute spot kick to keep up his remarkable scoring record and rescue Town from a Spanish-style sinking.  The 21-year-old’s fourth goal in successive games gave Andy King’s men a draw they scarcely deserved against a skilful Sporting Gijon side.

There was never any doubt as to who would take the penalty after Eric Sabin had tumbled under the challenge of Argentine defender Christian.  Parkin confidently crashed the ball past visiting keeper Valencia to ensure an unbeaten pre-season campaign for King’s first team squad.

It was hard to draw too many conclusions from the clash, Sporting Gijon are hardly your average Division Two side, but at least it gave the Town players another chance to boost their fitness levels ahead of Saturday’s clash with Barnsley.

As promised, King used the first half to give three triallists a chance to impress, as well as including youth team graduate David Bampton for the first time in defence.  Craig Farr enjoyed an outstanding first half before being replaced by Bart Griemink, while Matty Hewlett’s first 90 minutes in pre-season was another big bonus for the manager.

Town got off to a blistering start on a baking hot afternoon at the County Ground.  Whether it was the glorious weather which inspired him or a desire to make a quick impact, Australian striker Royce Brownlie blasted out of the blocks to give Town the lead after just 86 seconds.

Fellow triallist David Van De Bagen threaded the ball through for the Marconi Stallions forward and Brownlie thrashed a terrific strike past Valencia from the edge of the box.

The Spaniards roused themselves and Dani Borreguero fired wide of Farr’s goal on four minutes.   Town’s young keeper came to his side’s rescue for the first time on 12 minutes. The 18-year-old spread himself superbly to block Villa’s shot and just seconds later the Spaniard came off second best in the same duel.

Van De Bagen teed up Hewlett on 20 minutes but the Bristolian arrowed his shot high and wide into the Stratton Bank.  Play switched to the other end and Farr, for the third time in 10 minutes, raced out to deny Borreguero a certain goal.

From the corner, Christian had a free header but could not direct the ball under the crossbar.  Villa struck the Town End roof with a wayward shot on the half-hour and then he sprung the offside trap only to tread on the ball.

But just as it looked as though Brownlie’s goal would be enough to send Town in with an interval lead, the visitors struck twice.  Gijon were awarded a free-kick on the right edge of the Town box and with the wall still trying to organise itself, Juan curled a terrific shot beyond Farr into the top corner of the net.

Farr’s fingertips prevented another goal on 44 minutes but the visitors edged in front as the match moved into first-half stoppage time.

Juan scuffed a shot goalwards and the ball was deflected into the net off the outstretched boot of Villa.

King made seven changes at the break, with Bart Griemink, David Duke, Matt Heywood, Stefani Miglioranzi, Steve Robinson, Eric Sabin and Sam Parkin all entering the fray.

It took just five minutes for Sabin to show both the good and bad in one instant.  The Frenchman sprinted clear down the left flank, cut inside and then struck a poor shot straight at the keeper.

Gijon’s players looked far more comfortable in possession. Short passes ended with decisive through balls, while Town’s passes went frustratingly astray.

Griemink did well to turn away a powerful drive from Lozano and the Dutchman was on hand again to keep out Ruben’s 57th-minute shot.

Heywood was in the right place to head clear a goal-bound effort on 62 minutes as the Spaniards began to turn the screw.

Willis went close with a header at the other end, connecting well with Miglioranzi’s inswinging free kick but as the clock ticked on, Gijon looked the more likely side to score again.

Substitute Segovia should have done better with a close-range strike and Ruben was desperately unlucky to see a left foot piledriver crash back off the underside of the crossbar on 77 minutes.

Heywood’s poor clearance then handed Miguel a glorious chance to wrap the game up but poor finishing was to eventually cost the Spaniards victory.

With nine minutes remaining, Duke cut in from the left but his shot was straight down the throat of the Spanish keeper.   That seemed to be that until Sabin’s burst into the box was halted by Christian.

Referee Clive Wilkes pointed to the spot and it was left to Sam the Man to restore parity.

A good effort and the only glaring problem looks to be the right-back slot with Andy Gurney absent for the first three matches.

Cautious optimism is the order of the day as the players prepare for the big kick-off.

 Town: Farr (Griemink), Bampton (Parkin), Halliday (Duke), Willis, Reeves (Heywood), Hewlett, Edwards, Barbe (Robinson), Van De Bagen (Miglioranzi), Young, Brownlie (Sabin).

I thought at the time, that guy looks like a future wold cup scorer.