Allan the Hero as Parkway Prevail in Penalty Drama
Parkway vs Poole town Match reportBlue skies at the Theatre of Trees set the stage for an afternoon that proved anything but straightforward, as Plymouth Parkway battled from behind to edge Poole Town on penalties and progress in the FA Trophy.
 Plymouth ParkwayPoole Town 
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Full Match Report
Images: Tom Pinder
With Rocky Neal and Callum Hall ruled out through injury, Will Sullivan led the line, while Rio Garside retained the armband and Ryan Brett and Mikey Williams returned to the side. Poole, in-form and sitting high in the Southern League table, arrived without eight-goal forward Shaquille Gwengwe but full of confidence and travelling support.
The Bolitho pitch, often questioned after heavy South-West rain, looked immaculate, and Parkway began brightly. But after just a few minutes, Taylor Scarff required lengthy treatment and was forced off, replaced by Farren Simons. The reshuffle unsettled Parkway, and on 12 minutes, Poole took advantage. Diaz stealing into space at the back post to slot home past Mack Allan.
That early blow dented Parkway’s rhythm. The passing patterns that have defined recent games struggled to emerge as Poole pressed high, snapping into challenges and exploiting turnovers. Allan twice denied Diaz to keep the tie alive, while Jake Smith and James Watts-Barciela linked well without finding the final pass. Parkway’s best moment came before the interval when Smith’s cross ricocheted awkwardly but was smothered by Adam Parkes in the Poole goal.
No changes at the break, but a sense of urgency returned. The home crowd lifted their voices, urging Parkway forward as Sullivan worked tirelessly in Rocky’s absence. Still, Poole’s game management frustrated the hosts, slowing play, winning soft fouls, and breaking rhythm under the direction of midfielder Harvey Slade.
Williams, “the Wizard,” shackled for much of the half at left back, began to push forward, drawing fouls and space for Smith to fire narrowly over. The senior trio of Brett, Williams, and Garside took responsibility, driving the side on as Parkway sought a route back into the game.
Allan once again kept Parkway alive, tipping over a dangerous free-kick from Campbell, before the breakthrough finally came. With just over twenty minutes remaining, Jake Smith’s cross-come-shot deceived the Poole defence, and James Watts-Barciela pounced from six yards to level.
With no extra time and penalties looming, both sides hesitated between attack and caution. Allan denied a close-range header from another Poole set piece before the match entered its closing stages. Then, a moment to remember: Mikey Williams rolled back the years, weaving through seven defenders in a mazy run that brought Bolitho to its feet, only the finish missing from a goal of the season contender.
As the final whistle blew, it was Allan again who saved smartly at his near post, forcing the tie to penalties.
The shootout mirrored the match, tense, unpredictable, and dramatic. Both sides converted their first three spot-kicks before Ryan Brett saw his effort saved by former Parkway keeper Adam Parkes. Poole had the chance to seal it, but Allan produced a stunning stop to deny Charlie Davis and keep his side alive.
Parkway held their nerve, edging ahead 7–6, leaving Allan to complete his heroics by saving from Owen Dore to spark celebrations under the Devon sky.
It was a victory forged in resilience rather than rhythm, but a significant one nonetheless. The mini unbeaten run continues, as does Fortress Bolitho, and Parkway now turn their focus to next weekend’s league visit of Evesham Town, with momentum, belief, and a goalkeeper in inspired form.
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