Rocky’s early header enough as Parkway edge past Evesham
Parkway v Evesham United | Match ReportAfter a night of heavy rain and thunder, Bolitho Park looked immaculate. A certain treat, not trick, following Halloween evening. Under grey skies, Parkway extended their mini unbeaten run with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Evesham United.
 Plymouth ParkwayEvesham United 
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Full Match Report
Images: Tom Pinder
There were changes for Chris McPhee’s side as captain Rio Garside missed out through suspension and Taylor Scarff remained injured. The returning Rocky Neal led the line, with Will Sullivan and Farren Simons also restored to the starting eleven.
The Theatre of Trees was in fine voice as Parkway flew out of the blocks. Inside three minutes, James Watts-Barciela, the Matador on the right, skipped past his man and whipped in a teasing cross that Neal guided beyond Alex Harris with a deft header. It was the perfect start.
Parkway might have doubled their lead moments later when Barciela and Jake Smith combined smartly before Sullivan saw his effort fire over from 10 yards. Evesham steadied themselves after the early barrage, with Josh Barlow and Ethan Dunbar working hard to gain control in midfield, but the Yellows managed the game well and reached the interval deservedly in front.
The visitors began the second half brighter, pushing Parkway back with a series of corners that tested the home defence. Ryan Brett cleared one off the line, Dunbar rattled the bar from distance, and Allan stayed alert as the pressure built. At the other end, Mikey Williams ventured forward and Simons almost caught Harris out with a long-range strike tipped over.
On the hour, McPhee turned to experience, introducing Callum Hall for the hard-working Neal to tighten midfield. Parkway gradually regained shape, and nearly made it two when a loose ball dropped to Jack Veale, who fired over from close range. As the clock wound down, Hall and Williams marshalled the closing stages superbly while Carlo Garside kept the ball moving sensibly through midfield.
There was still time for late drama as Sullivan broke clear but lifted his shot over the bar, leaving Parkway to defend deep through four tense minutes of stoppage time. When the whistle finally came, relief swept around Bolitho, a win built from focus rather than flair.
It wasn’t the prettiest, but it was mature. Rocky Neal’s early header decided it, Mack Allan and his defence earned the plaudits, and the unbeaten home run stretched to six. Three more valuable points in the climb up the table, and another small step in Parkway’s growing momentum.
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