Advantage Lost as Hanwell Turn It Around
Hanwell Town vs Parkway | Match ReportIt was a night that carried weight long before kick-off.
With injuries thinning the squad and the table tightening by the week, Parkway travelled to West London without Rocky Neal, Taylor Scarff, Callum Hall or Reece Shanley. Will Sullivan, Tylor Love-Holmes and Jenson Ireland were handed starts, while Chris McPhee named himself among the substitutes alongside Louie Cayless and Gunnar Franke.
 Hanwell TownPlymouth Parkway 
3 - 2Full Time |
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Images: Thom Lang
The surface was heavy. The contest, from the outset, reflected it.
Hanwell began brightly, Hoath lifting an early effort over as the hosts looked to pin Parkway back. Possession largely belonged to the home side in the opening stages, but Parkway were disciplined without the ball and alert to opportunities in transition.
The breakthrough arrived against that early pattern. Sullivan’s run forced a save from Beasant, and Love-Holmes reacted first to convert the rebound. Moments later, Parkway suffered a blow when James Watts-Barciela was forced off with a knock, Franke introduced earlier than planned.
Hanwell continued to press, using Oladunjoye’s long throws as a regular route into the box. Veale stood firm, one timely intervention preventing what looked a certain chance amid appeals for a penalty that came to nothing.
As the half wore on, Parkway found their second opening. A quick exchange between Brett and Williams created space on the right, and Williams drove inside before finishing from a tight angle to double the advantage. Two chances taken. Two goals scored.
Hanwell responded with a change at the break and renewed intent. The aerial approach remained prominent, Bradbury the focal point as the hosts sought to turn territory into pressure. Parkway attempted to play through spells of possession despite the difficult pitch, Franke working tirelessly to provide an outlet.
For a time, the visitors managed the game well. They were compact, composed, and attentive to second balls. But familiar concerns resurfaced just past the hour.
A corner was not dealt with, and the loose ball dropped kindly for Bradbury, who finished from close range to reduce the deficit.
What followed was sustained pressure. Set pieces, long deliveries, crosses from wide areas, Parkway were forced deeper and deeper. Nditi tested from distance, while Williams, scorer at one end, produced important defensive challenges inside his own area.
The equaliser felt increasingly likely and arrived with twenty minutes remaining. Pressure down the left was not fully cleared, and Woodcock took advantage, finishing to bring Hanwell level.
The closing stages were played largely in Parkway’s half. McPhee reshaped to a back five in an effort to steady things, but the home side continued to load the area. Bradbury lifted one effort over when well placed. Another opportunity was scuffed wide after hesitation at the back.
With ninety minutes played, a final delivery into the box was not cleared decisively. Bradbury reacted quickest, bundling the ball home to complete the turnaround and send the home crowd into celebration.
From two goals in front to empty-handed, it was a difficult conclusion to an evening that had begun with discipline and control. Parkway must now turn their attention swiftly to Saturday, when Hungerford Town arrive at Bolitho Park for a fixture that carries its own significance near the foot of the table.
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