Points Matter at Bolitho
Parkway v Hungerford Town | Match PreviewBy Mike Parrish
Bolitho Park hosts a fixture that needs no dressing up.
Parkway welcome Hungerford Town on Saturday with both sides positioned in the lower reaches of the Southern League Premier South table and fully aware of what three points would represent.
Tuesday’s trip to West London began a sequence of games that will shape the closing weeks of the season. Parkway led at half-time through goals from Tylor Love-Holmes and Mikey Williams but were undone late on, conceding in the final minute after a difficult second half on a challenging surface. It was a long journey home with nothing to show for it.
The consequences may extend beyond the result. James Watts-Barciela was forced off before the interval, while Ryan Brett limped off late on. With the squad already stretched, those setbacks add further uncertainty heading into the weekend.
There is cautious optimism surrounding potential returns. Callum Hall and Rocky Neal are hopeful of involvement, while Taylor Scarff and Reece Shanley will be assessed. Decisions will be made late.
Hungerford arrive with their own pressures. They sit just above Parkway in the table on 33 points, three games played more, and have shown in recent weeks that they remain capable of competing. A 98th-minute winner from Andrio Brandao secured victory over Walton & Hersham, and they followed that with a draw against Taunton Town before losing at home to Bracknell Town on Tuesday evening.
The reverse fixture earlier in the campaign remains relevant. Parkway led through Rocky Neal on 28 minutes and appeared in control, only for Louis McGrory to equalise in the 99th minute. It was another occasion where points slipped late.
That pattern must change.
The coming fixtures, many against sides in and around the bottom third, will dictate the outcome of Parkway’s season. Hungerford now represent the first of those immediate tests.
The squad is stretched. Confidence has taken recent knocks. But the opportunity remains clear.
Saturday is about converting position into points.
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