Parkway travelled to Highworth looking to bounce back from last week’s home defeat to Bristol Manor Farm. This was their second visit to Highworth this season having won there 5-3 in the FA Trophy in early October courtesy of 3 goals in the last 9 minutes. An earlier departure than normal took place to enable players and supporters to watch the Chelsea v Plymouth Argyle FA Cup tie in the very accommodating Highworth clubhouse. Two changes were made from last week’s defeat with recent loan signing from Torquay United Gabriel (Gabby) Rogers replacing Tom Bath up front.

With loanee Finlay Craske being recalled by Argyle and added to their squad for the visit to Chelsea, a well-deserved call up for the youngster, Harrison Davis reverted to right back with Mikey Williams replacing him in midfield. Playing against a strong, bitterly cold wind, Parkway made the early running and could have gone ahead in the 8^th minute after good work by Matt Andrew released Jack Crago whose shot from around 15 yards was comfortably saved by Connor Johns. On 11 minutes more slick passing through midfield saw Billy Palfrey go clear with Johns again saving well and then blocking the rebound. Parkway continued to look the sharper and on 16 minutes created another chance with Johns once again saving well from a close range header. Highworth were being forced to play on the counter and on 17 minutes Ashley Edenborough broke free on the right with his cross being well defended. Parkway continued to threaten with Rogers looking lively down the right and on 19 minutes should have taken the lead. A long ball in behind the home defence saw Crago go clear with Johns spreading himself well and saving with his legs.

Parkway’s next attack saw Andrew and Palfrey link well to release River Allen whose close range effort forced Johns into another fine save. The strong swirling wind was proving a challenge to both sides with the game lacking too much quality with passes going astray and too often being over or under hit. The  hosts were unable to break down the strong Parkway defence who were generally coping well but on 24 minutes Robert Dean fired well wide when well placed. Parkway continued to control the midfield area and on 29 minutes a fine defence splitting ball from Rogers found Ryan Lane clear on the left but his cross lacked direction and flew harmlessly over in the swirling wind. Parkway continued to apply pressure, forcing a couple of corners which were well defended. Highworth continued to compete well and on 34 minutes Edenborough went clear on the right with a timely covering challenge by Michael Landricombe halting the attack. Parkway continued to threaten and on 35 minutes clever play by Rogers on the right saw him cut inside with his angled drive being well saved by Johns. On 39 minutes more good play from Edenborough saw his cross from the right to the far post reach Rowan Doyle whose close range effort was deflected behind for a corner by Aaron Bentley as the hosts approached half time looking the more dangerous. The final action of the half saw Rogers again create an opening with his shot being smothered by Johns. A half in which Parkway were generally in control, creating a number of good chances but unable to convert any of them mainly due to fine goalkeeping by Johns and lack of composure in front of goal.

Half time saw Daniel Drewett replace the lively Edenborough who had picked up an injury late in the first half. Highworth started the second half the brighter creating a couple of early half chances. A long ball over the top on 47 minutes caught the Parkway defence napping but Doyle’s weak shot from around 15 yards was easily saved by Kyle Moore. The host’s early pressure paid off as they took the lead on 50 minutes. Not for the first time this season Parkway’s vulnerability at corners was evident allowing central defender Liam Haines an unchallenged run in the crowded 18 yard area to plant a firm hear header into the roof of the net. Parkway took a while to regroup and respond to the setback as they looked to re-establish midfield control and they almost levelled the score on 54 minutes. A smart passage of play along the right ended with a powerful drive from 25 yards by Davis being pushed behind by the alert Johns for a corner. Johns was called into action again on 56 minutes saving well from a 20 yard shot from Andrew who had made a strong run through central midfield.

Parkway made changes on 58 and 63 minutes with Adam Carter and Rhys Shirley replacing Palfrey and Crago respectively. This also resulted in a change of formation as Parkway started to stretch the play looking for an equaliser to get back in the game which they duly did on 75 minutes. A long ball out from Moore saw Johns drawn out of his area wide on the right and come under pressure from a robust Carter challenge which many in the ground deemed a foul but not the referee. Carter reacted quickest and unselfishly squared the ball to the unmarked Allen on the left of the 18 yard box who slotted home from around 15 yards into the unguarded net. With the game now opening up, Highworth created a good opportunity on 78 minutes with Ethan Vaughan slicing a shot over after Parkway had failed to clear their lines. With the pace and movement of Shirley creating problems for the Highworth back line and Carter providing a more physical presence, Parkway continued to threaten with Carter going clear on 80 minutes only to be denied by more fine goalkeeping by Johns with a good block low down. Highworth replaced Matthew Cheetham with Toby Holland on 83 minutes as Parkway continued to push forward hoping they would not rue the missed opportunities in the first half. On 87 minutes neat play between Andrew and Rogers saw a clever through ball just evade Carter but in the next attack on 88 minutes Parkway took the lead for the first time. Good play by Rogers and persistence by Allen in midfield saw the loose ball seized upon by Davis who strode forward along the right and fired a powerful strike from around 25 yards into the bottom corner past a despairing Johns. A timely boost for Davis who has been on the fringes of the team recently who not for the first time this season scored a vital late goal emphasising his importance to the squad. In the 3 minutes of stoppage time Parkway almost scored a 3^rd with Shirley breaking clear and his threaded pass just failing to reach the supporting Rogers.

In tricky playing conditions, a hard working victory for Parkway who really should have had the game sewn up by half time. However very much like in the FA Trophy game, they showed the strength of character and resilience to come from behind against an energetic and well organised Highworth who rode out the early Parkway pressure and battled well throughout and almost held on for a point.

The win sees Parkway remain in 8^th place but having gained points on three of the teams above them, two of those in the top four, who lost today.

Parkway now entertain Melksham Town next Saturday looking to avenge the 4-3 defeat in October when they were 3-0 up with 30 minutes to play!

Line Ups:

Highworth: 1 Johns ©, 2 Case, 3 Vaughan, 4 Hall, 5 Haines, 6 Morrison, 7 Cheetham (Holland 83), 8 Dean, 9 Edenborough (Drewett 46), 10 Doyle, 11 Wood.

Substitutes: 12 Holland, 14 Drewett, 15 Ayres (unused)

Parkway: 1 Moore, 2 Davis, 3 Lane, 4 Allen, 5 Bentley, 6 Landricombe ©, 7 Williams, 8 Palfrey (Carter 59), 9 Rogers, 10 Andrew, 11 Crago (Shirley 63)

Substitutes: 12 Shirley, 14 Bath (unused), 15 Rose (unused), 16 Smith (unused), 20 Carter.