Uxbridge end Parkway’s unbeaten home run with clinical display
Parkway v Uxbridge | Match ReportUxbridge underlined their promotion credentials with a composed 3–0 victory at Bolitho Park, ending Plymouth Parkway’s six-match unbeaten home run. Two second-half goals from defender Jordan Stepney added to a first-half own goal as the visitors’ set-piece strength and organisation proved decisive.
 Plymouth ParkwayUxbridge 
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Images: Tom Pinder
A bright November sun framed an afternoon that began in solemn reflection, as players, staff and supporters observed a minute’s silence for Remembrance weekend. When play began, both sides were facing unfamiliar opposition for the first time, and it showed in a cagey opening half-hour.
Parkway, missing injured striker Rocky Neal and defender Taylor Scarff, made one enforced change from the win over Evesham. Captain Rio Garside returned to anchor midfield while Jake Smith was pressed into service as a makeshift centre-forward. Youth prospects Gunnar Franke, Alex Mykhailov and Zambia under-20 international Milimo Nalumango were named among the substitutes.
The pattern quickly settled: Parkway enjoying sterile possession, Uxbridge content to absorb and counter. The London side’s front three of Nnamdi Nwachuku, Bagname Keita and Tyrique Mooren pressed intelligently, forcing errors and giving notice of why the visitors began the day in the play-off places. Smith toiled gamely up front but lacked support, and the Yellows’ midfield missed his usual industry.
After a subdued opening, James Watts-Barciela carved the first home chance on 15 minutes, his weaving run ending in a routine stop for keeper Laurie Shala. At the other end Mack Allan was alert to parry from Nwachuku, before Parkway skipper Garside curled a 20-yard free-kick straight at Shala.
Just before the interval Uxbridge found the breakthrough their control merited. A wicked corner from Massimo Giamatteti, whose cultured left foot tormented Parkway all afternoon, glanced off a yellow shirt and inside the near post to put the visitors ahead at the break.
McPhee resisted changes at half-time, trusting his starting XI to respond, but his side continued to labour. Giamatteti’s deliveries remained a constant threat and Nwachuku’s direct running repeatedly stretched a retreating back line.
On the hour, another superb corner punished Parkway again. Giamatteti’s deep cross was met powerfully by Stepney, whose header doubled the advantage and all but ended the hosts’ hopes of a comeback.
Manager Chris McPhee reacted quickly, sending on Callum Hall to add energy and restoring Smith to midfield. Yet before the reshuffle could take hold, Uxbridge struck again. A third corner routine broke to Stepney on the edge of the box, and the centre-half guided a controlled finish through a crowded area for 3–0.
McPhee introduced debutant Gunnar Franke for the tireless Will Sullivan, and later Oleksii Mykhailov replaced Jenson Ireland as Parkway rolled the dice with three forwards. There was a brief spell of fluent possession and a half-chance when Barciela’s cross ricocheted dangerously in the six-yard box, but Uxbridge’s defence stood firm.
To their credit, Parkway refused to fold and produced some of their best football once the contest was effectively over, yet the earlier damage was irreparable. When the final whistle blew, the travelling supporters’ chants of “We’re going up” felt more confident than premature.
For Uxbridge, this was a fine away win. For Parkway, it was a reminder of the fine margins in Step 3 football and the cost of key absences. McPhee’s men will regroup ahead of next weekend’s FA Trophy meeting with Salisbury, aiming to rediscover the resilience that had fuelled their recent run.
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