Parkway Show Character to Complete Perfect Easter
Tiverton Town vs Parkway | Match ReportParkway completed a superb Easter weekend as they backed up their impressive home victory over Basingstoke Town with three hard-earned points at already relegated Tiverton Town, although it proved far from straightforward.
 Tiverton TownPlymouth Parkway 
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Images: Tom Pinder
On a sun-drenched afternoon, with a cool wind drifting across Ladysmead, Parkway made the shortest trip of their season backed by a healthy travelling contingent hoping to see their side collect six points from two demanding fixtures.
Interim manager Stuart Dudley kept faith with the same XI that performed so well on Good Friday, with Reece Shanley returning to the bench in place of Spencer Guest. With confidence high following recent results, many expected a comfortable afternoon against a relegated Tiverton side, but those expectations were quickly challenged.
Tiverton, marshalled in midfield by player-manager Asa Hall, were sharp from the first whistle and caused Parkway problems throughout the opening stages. The young front pairing of Fletcher Poole and Aiden Horne pressed relentlessly, forcing errors and unsettling the Parkway back line of Taylor Scarff, Toby Down and Jack Veale.
The warning signs were clear early on. Poole carved out the first opportunity of the afternoon, only to be denied by the experienced Luke McCormick, but the breakthrough soon followed. A loose clearance fell to Asa Hall on the edge of the area, and his strike into the top corner left McCormick with no chance as Tiverton deservedly took the lead.
Parkway struggled to find rhythm and looked a shadow of the side that impressed just 48 hours earlier. Carlo and Rio Garside worked tirelessly to regain control in midfield, while Reece Thomson battled hard up front with limited support.
On 17 minutes, Parkway found a way back into the contest. The tireless Callum Hall forced his way into the area and was brought down, leaving the referee little choice but to point to the spot. Carlo Garside stepped up and delivered an assured penalty into the bottom corner to restore parity.
But Tiverton refused to retreat. Poole again threatened with a run in behind that required another composed stop from McCormick, and as half-time approached, Parkway were punished once more. A quick turnover caught the visitors stretched, and when Poole pulled the ball back from the byline, Gabe Billington arrived to finish first time and restore Tiverton’s lead moments before the break.
The first half underlined Parkway’s struggles on the road this season, and Dudley’s side went into the interval second best and with plenty to improve.
The second period began in similar fashion, with Tiverton continuing to look dangerous from direct balls over the top. However, Scarff began to impose himself defensively, and Parkway gradually worked their way back into the contest.
Changes from the bench brought renewed energy, and just past the hour mark, Parkway found a route back into the game. Mikey Williams provided impetus down the left, and when the ball broke inside the area, Rio Garside produced an instinctive acrobatic finish that burst into the net and sparked wild celebrations among the travelling supporters.
The momentum had shifted, and as fatigue crept into the legs of Tiverton’s youthful side, Parkway began to sense opportunity. The introduction of Rocky Neal added experience and composure in the final third, and it was his persistence that created the decisive moment.
Driving down the right, Neal reached the byline before cutting the ball back into the area, where Reece Thomson capped an outstanding individual display by finishing confidently from eight yards to put Parkway ahead for the first time on 80 minutes.
It was not a performance full of polish, but it showed the grit and character required at this stage of the season. Dudley admitted afterwards it had been a difficult watch at times, but the result was all that mattered.
The record books will simply show three points, Parkway’s fourth league victory on the road, and a result that moves them ever closer to securing their Southern League Premier South status for another season.
After the final whistle, confirmation came that Walton & Hersham had been crowned worthy champions, securing the automatic promotion spot and a place in the National League next season, despite defeat on the day to Chertsey Town. In fact, all of the top four sides were beaten on Bank Holiday Monday, with the bottom sides across the division showing their fighting spirit to pick up significant results.
That meant, despite what had been a turgid performance at times, Parkway’s three points grew even more valuable as they left Ladysmead with maximum points from a busy Bank Holiday weekend.
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