Bath City end Parkway’s unbeaten run
Parkway vs Bath City | Match ReportPlymouth Parkway’s unbeaten run came to an end at nine games as Bath City produced a clinical performance to progress into the next round of the FA Trophy with a 3-0 victory at Bolitho Park.
The Parkway faithful had watched their side win eight games on the bounce in all competitions, including back-to-back 2-0 victories over Frome Town that had taken Karl Curtis’ side to the top of the Southern League Premier South.
 Plymouth ParkwayBath City 
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Bath arrived knowing exactly what was required after the two sides had shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Cannon Clarke Stadium back in August, and from the opening exchanges it was clear this would be another stern test.
Curtis made five changes to his starting XI, with Henry Donovan handed his first start following his permanent arrival earlier in the week, while Jack Matthews made his first Parkway start after impressing from the bench in recent outings.
Bath could have taken the lead inside two minutes. A misplaced pass from Aaron Dearing presented Scott Wilson with an opportunity, but the Bath forward lifted his effort over the crossbar.
Parkway responded almost immediately. Ethan Wright delivered a free-kick into a dangerous area and Ryan Brett rose highest, but the defender could only direct his header over.
Wilson was involved again moments later, forcing Dearing into a good save as both sides looked to make the early pressure count.
Ed Harrison then drilled an effort wide for Parkway after 20 minutes, before Bath went within inches of opening the scoring at the other end when Matt Bowman struck the post.
The visitors were beginning to look more comfortable in possession, however, and were finding ways to work Wilson into dangerous areas.
The Bath forward went down inside the Parkway penalty area looking for a penalty, but the referee waved away the appeals, judging there had not been enough contact.
Wilson continued to cause problems and, on 32 minutes, Dearing was called into action again, producing another good save to keep Parkway level.
But the pressure eventually told. Bath won a corner and the resulting delivery looped over Dearing, with captain Jordan Tillson arriving at the back post to head the visitors into the lead.
Parkway had been under pressure and now had to find a response. Instead, Bath doubled their advantage six minutes later.
Dearing came under pressure and stumbled over the ball, allowing Reuben Reid to take advantage and roll the ball into an empty net.
Hayden Turner had an opportunity to reduce the deficit before the interval, but his effort from the edge of the box was dragged wide. Bath therefore went into the break two goals to the good, leaving Parkway with a mountain to climb.
Rio Garside replaced Callum Hall at half-time as Curtis looked to inject fresh energy into the Parkway attack. But it was Bath who started the second half with greater purpose.
The visitors immediately put Parkway under pressure, forcing the home defence to block a succession of efforts and refusing to allow Curtis’ side time to settle.
Parkway’s first real opportunity of the half came through Donovan after 56 minutes. His effort was superbly blocked, but the clearance immediately turned defence into attack for Bath.
Wilson, who had been a constant problem for Parkway throughout the afternoon, drove the counter forward before supplying Enzio Boldewijn. The Bath winger made no mistake, finishing the move to put the visitors three goals clear.
Reece Thomson replaced Turner, before Joel Sullivan, Rocky Neal and Jensen Ireland were introduced for Matthews, Donovan and Will Sullivan as Parkway looked for a way back into the contest.
The changes brought a noticeable shift. Parkway began to move the ball with greater purpose, pushing Bath deeper and finding space between the lines.
There were periods of excellent football from the Yellows as they moved the ball around the Bath defence, creating movement and openings.
What was missing was the decisive final ball. Bath’s backline remained organised and resolute, while Kyle Wiles-Richards was rarely called upon to make a serious save.
Parkway continued to dominate possession as the game entered its final stages, but Bath were able to protect their advantage.
Dearing was eventually called upon again in the 85th minute, producing another good save from a tight angle to prevent Bath adding a fourth.
At the other end, Rocky Neal came closest to giving Parkway something to show for their late pressure when his effort from a tight angle in the 90th minute narrowly missed the post.
That proved to be Parkway’s final opportunity. The final whistle confirmed Bath City’s progression into the next round of the FA Trophy and brought an end to Parkway’s eight-game winning run.
For all the improvement after the changes, Bath had done the decisive damage in the first half and then delivered the knockout blow early in the second.
It was a tough afternoon for Parkway, but there is little time to dwell on it. The focus now switches straight back to the league, with Gloucester City awaiting on Tuesday night at the KMM Energy Stadium.
Parkway remain at the top of the Southern League Premier South and will have the opportunity to respond immediately when the league campaign resumes in Gloucestershire.
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