Parkway left to rue late error at Chippenham
Chippenham Town v Parkway | Match ReportBy Mike Parrish
Plymouth Parkway suffered their first defeat of the Karl Curtis era as a late error proved decisive in a frustrating 3–2 defeat at Chippenham Town.
Rocky Neal and Rio Garside twice found the net for the visitors, but Parkway were ultimately punished by their own mistakes as Felix Miles capitalised on a late error to secure Chippenham’s first three points of the season.
 Chippenham TownPlymouth Parkway 
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Curtis named an unchanged starting XI following Tuesday night’s impressive 1–1 draw at Bath City, although there was a return to the bench for Hayden Turner, with Jack Brimming making way.
There was plenty of experience in the Chippenham ranks, including a start for Ben Richards-Everton, who had endured a difficult afternoon in his previous meeting with Parkway after Mitch Beardmore scored all six goals in a 6–0 defeat for Gloucester City two seasons ago.
Parkway could hardly have wished for a better start. The game was not even two minutes old when Jensen Ireland, making his 50th appearance for the club, delivered a superb set piece into the area. Rocky Neal found himself unmarked and the number nine made no mistake, guiding his header beyond Harvey Rees to register his third goal in as many games.
The goal sparked a frantic spell as neither side was able to establish control on a dry, quick surface. Chippenham attempted to force their way back into the contest, although the Parkway backline remained largely untroubled during the opening ten minutes.
The Bluebirds eventually found their route back into the game through another set piece. Taylor Scarff was second best in a 50/50 challenge, leaving Chippenham with an opportunity to deliver into the area.
Henry Sady supplied the cross and captain Luke Haines rose highest above Joel Sullivan to guide his header beyond Aaron Dearing and level the scores after just 13 minutes.
The pattern of the game was beginning to emerge, with both sides looking dangerous from dead-ball situations. Neal came close to restoring Parkway’s advantage when he struck the foot of the post following another corner, before the striker again threatened with a header that cleared the crossbar.
A fascinating battle was also developing between Richards-Everton and Reece Thomson, with the two providing a physical contest that would continue throughout the afternoon. The game remained finely balanced through the remainder of the half, with a hydration break doing little to disrupt the flow.
Haines then tested Dearing from around 30 yards with a free-kick that looped and swerved away from the Parkway goalkeeper, but neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval.
The second half began with Parkway now playing up the slope, and with chances at a premium, there was a feeling that the next goal could prove crucial. It went the way of the hosts.
Once again, the danger came from a corner as a superb delivery found Haines at the back post. The Chippenham captain’s header crashed against the bar, but the rebound fell perfectly for Martell Taylor-Crossdale, who was on hand to guide his header into an empty net and put the Bluebirds ahead for the first time.
Parkway were behind, but there was no sense of panic. Curtis used the second hydration break to get instructions across to his players, who continued to look to get the ball down and work their patterns rather than resorting to a more direct approach.
Will Sullivan was introduced for his 50th Parkway appearance, replacing Ireland and taking up a more attacking role on the right. It proved to be an inspired change. The number 18 found space on the right before beating Piotr Petrynski and delivering an inviting cross into the area.
Thomson rose highest and his header crashed back off the bar, but Rio Garside had followed the play and was in the perfect position to nod home from close range and make it 2–2. Parkway had fought their way back into the contest and immediately looked to go again.
Ryan Brett and Ethan Wright were introduced as Curtis continued to make attacking changes, with Parkway chipping away at the Bluebirds defence in search of a winner.
It was a mentality that pleased Curtis afterwards. The Parkway boss felt many sides would have settled for a point at 2–2, but his team continued to push for victory.
“A lot of teams at Chippenham would have gone to 2-2 and thought, take what we got, but we’ve gone for it,” said Curtis, who felt Parkway were in control of the contest at that stage.
But the hard work was undone with ten minutes remaining. Dearing came out of his area looking for options with the ball at his feet, only for the advancing Felix Miles to seize the opportunity, win possession and keep his composure to slot into an empty net.
Chippenham were back in front. Parkway had worked tirelessly to get themselves level and, with time running out, Curtis turned to Turner for his first competitive appearance of the season, while Ed Harrison was also introduced.
This time, however, the hosts would not surrender their advantage. The defeat was particularly harsh on Dearing, who had again made important saves during the afternoon and has been a key part of Parkway’s encouraging start to the campaign.
Curtis was quick to offer his support to the goalkeeper afterwards, making it clear that one mistake would not change his view of the player. “He’s going to win us more games than we lose,” said the Parkway boss, who also praised Dearing for taking responsibility for the error.
For Curtis, the frustration was not simply about the final mistake. He felt there had been other individual errors across the three goals, but was equally keen to stress how much he had liked about Parkway’s performance.
“I thought we were outstanding in so many parts of our play,” he said. The result brings Parkway’s unbeaten start to an end after three games, leaving Curtis’ side with four points from their opening three fixtures.
But despite the disappointment of defeat, there were plenty of positives to take from another performance against a side expected to challenge towards the top end of the division. Parkway have now faced three opponents in the opening week who were tipped to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season, taking four points from those encounters.
Curtis believes the performances are pointing in the right direction, even if the points return could have been greater. “The performances are really important just to reinforce that you’re on the right tracks,” said the Parkway boss.
After the opening-day demolition of Bracknell, the resilience shown at Bath and an afternoon in which Parkway twice fought back at Chippenham, there is already evidence of a side developing an identity under Curtis.
As the manager put it: “I think teams are not enjoying playing against us at the minute.”
Parkway now have a full week to reflect and regroup before returning to Bolitho Park next Saturday, when Havant & Waterlooville provide another significant test.
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