Parkway Fight Back but Havant Hit Late to Share the Spoils
Parkway v Havant & Waterlooville | Match ReportParkway returned home for the penultimate home game of the season as the impressive and in-form Havant & Waterlooville made the trip to Bolitho Park.
Interim manager Stuart Dudley made changes to the side that secured victory against Tiverton Town on Easter Monday, with Mikey Williams, Rocky Neal and Reece Shanley restored to the starting XI.
 Plymouth ParkwayHavant & Waterlooville 
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Images: Tom Pinder
On a traditional April afternoon of showers and swirling wind, the game began at a lively pace. Parkway showed early intent, with Callum Hall twice driving at the Havant defence, but it was the visitors who struck first following a lapse at the back. Ryan Seager capitalised and lifted the ball over Luke McCormick after only three minutes to give the Hawks the early advantage.
Seager had the ball in the net again moments later, only for the linesman’s flag to spare Parkway further punishment. Havant continued to find space with relative ease, and Leon Maloney was released from a long goal kick before cutting inside and forcing a smart save from McCormick.
Parkway struggled to find rhythm in the opening stages, with a series of free-kicks failing to test the visitors’ defence. Pendlebury and Whittingham dictated midfield for Havant, while Seager and Maloney’s movement caused constant problems.
The visitors doubled their lead on 22 minutes when Freddie Taylor was afforded too much space and punished Parkway with a well-struck effort from distance. Havant looked capable of extending their advantage further, and only determined defending, including a crucial block from Taylor Scarff, kept the scoreline manageable.
A huge moment arrived just before the break when Pendlebury was brought down in the box, but McCormick produced an outstanding save from the penalty to spark life into Bolitho Park and keep Parkway within reach at the interval.
Stuart Dudley made an immediate change at the break, introducing Will Sullivan, and the shift in shape quickly altered the flow of the contest.
Parkway forced a corner early in the second half and found a route back into the game. A well-delivered ball from Carlo Garside dropped to Toby Down on the edge of the area, and his strike through a crowded box beat Matt Kerby to halve the deficit.
Momentum shifted quickly. Just three minutes later, Rocky Neal was bundled over in the area, and the striker calmly stepped up to convert the penalty himself to level the contest on 52 minutes.
With confidence restored, Parkway completed the turnaround shortly after the hour mark. Good work down the left created the opportunity, and Jack Veale rose highest inside the area to head home and send the home crowd into celebration.
Parkway looked transformed during that spell, with Ryan Brett dictating play in midfield and Mikey Williams providing balance from his deeper role. However, Havant arrived in Devon in strong form and showed their quality once again as Alfy Whittingham produced a clever flicked finish to restore parity in a breathless second half.
Both sides continued to search for a winner. Carlo Garside delivered a dangerous cross that found Reece Thomson, whose effort deflected safely into Kerby’s hands, while substitute James Watts-Barciela forced another smart stop from the Havant goalkeeper.
After a difficult first half showing, Parkway’s response in the second period brought them back into the contest, but Whittingham’s equaliser ensured the points were shared in what proved to be another dramatic afternoon at Bolitho Park.
With results elsewhere still filtering through, Parkway know they must continue their work next weekend as they prepare to welcome Hanwell Town to Bolitho Park, knowing there is still more to be done before the season reaches its conclusion.
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