Parkway Seek Response Against League Leaders
Parkway v Walton & Hersham | Match PreviewBy Mike Parrish
Tuesday night football in PL5 carries its own edge.
With little competition across the city and the floodlights set to frame Bolitho Park once more, Plymouth Parkway return home seeking an immediate response as league leaders Walton & Hersham arrive at the Theatre of Trees.
Saturday’s 4–2 defeat at Sholing halted a run of three successive league victories and served as a reminder of the fine margins that define this division. Individual errors proved costly in Hampshire, and while there were spells of quality and fight, Parkway ultimately paid the price for lapses that cannot be afforded against the league’s most ruthless side.
There is, however, little time for reflection.
Walton & Hersham make the long journey to Devon still six points clear at the summit, with games in hand over their nearest challengers. A strong side last season has evolved into a formidable one this term, quality threaded throughout their ranks and an attacking output that has set the standard across the Southern Premier League South.
Yet even champions-elect are not immune to setbacks. Defeat to relegation-threatened Hungerford Town at the weekend will ensure the Swans arrive with renewed focus, wary of allowing momentum to shift at a crucial stage of the campaign. Leaders wounded are often leaders dangerous.
The reverse fixture back in August remains fresh in the memory. Parkway travelled to London and twice led, even facing a ten-man Walton side, only for the hosts to demonstrate their title credentials in a breathless 6–3 victory. It was a contest that clearly showed both Walton’s firepower and Parkway’s ability to trouble them.
Much has changed since then.
Parkway’s season has tested resolve, but recent performances, three wins on the spin prior to Saturday, have shown the quality within Chris McPhee’s squad remains intact. With 15 games remaining and the table tightly packed, every point is important, particularly against those at the opposite end of the standings.
Bolitho Park will need to play its part. Nights under the lights have a habit of producing drama in PL5, and Parkway will hope the home support can recreate the energy that has defined memorable evenings here in the past.
Parkway are set to welcome back Rocky Neal after the striker did not travel to Southampton. Taylor Scarff will be assessed having missed out through injury, while full-back Jenson Ireland is also to be checked after limping off at the weekend.
For Walton & Hersham, it is another step towards a title they appear destined to claim. For Parkway, it is an opportunity to correct, to compete, and to prove that Saturday’s frustration was a moment rather than a consistency.
At both ends of the table, the stakes are clear.
Under the lights, leaders arrive.
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