Parkway held by late Gloucester equaliser
Gloucester City vs Parkway | Match ReportPlymouth Parkway were denied all three points with virtually the last kick of the game as Gloucester City substitute Ethan Dunbar struck a late equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw at the KMM Energy Stadium.
For 90+ minutes, Parkway looked to have responded perfectly to Saturday’s FA Trophy defeat, producing a disciplined away performance at a ground that has offered little reward in recent seasons.
Rocky Neal’s ninth goal of the season had put Karl Curtis’ side ahead after 15 minutes, and despite increasing pressure from the hosts during the second half, Parkway remained within touching distance of another valuable away victory. It was not to be.
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Curtis reverted to the side that had served him so well during the unbeaten league run, with Mikey Williams, Jensen Ireland, Rio Garside, Reece Thomson and Rocky all returning to the starting XI following the changes made for the Bath City defeat.
Gloucester may have arrived in the relegation places, but there was never any suggestion that Parkway would have an easy evening. The Tigers looked to move the ball through their short passing game, with Jack Clarke, Jake Evans and Kian Hill involved heavily in the early exchanges.
Parkway matched that intensity, with Callum Hall and the Garside brothers working hard to close down the hosts while looking to connect with Rocky and Thomson further forward.
Ashley Hemmings provided the early warning. The Gloucester striker stayed wide on the right and repeatedly looked to cut inside onto his favoured left foot, and one such move ended with a curling effort which Aaron Dearing did well to save.
Parkway were beginning to grow into the contest, though, and after 15 minutes they found the breakthrough. Will Sullivan had pushed further forward and found space to deliver into the Gloucester penalty area. There was Rocky Neal. The Parkway number nine needed only the faintest of touches to divert the ball beyond Samuel Kane and put the visitors ahead.
It was Rocky’s ninth goal of the season and Sullivan’s fifth assist, another example of the understanding developing between the two.
Gloucester responded positively and began to increase the pressure as the half progressed. Hemmings went close again, while Kian Hill struck the post with a curling effort. Parkway were also forced to deal with a succession of corners as the Tigers looked to make their territorial advantage count. The backline remained organised, Dearing continued to command his area and Parkway reached half-time with their lead intact.
The second half began with a noticeable change in approach from Curtis’ side. Rather than allowing Gloucester’s passing game to settle, Parkway pushed higher up the pitch and looked to unsettle the hosts in possession.
It nearly produced a second. Rio Garside worked his way into the area and, with time to set himself, got an effort away which Kane saved.
Callum Hall then went close with a rasping 25-yard effort that stung the goalkeeper’s gloves before Gloucester eventually scrambled the ball clear.
As the game moved on, both managers turned to their benches. Henry Donovan came close to finding the crucial second after picking the pocket of a Gloucester defender, but the final touch deserted him at the vital moment.
Gloucester then changed their approach. The intricate passing game that had characterised their first-half build-up was replaced by a more direct threat, with captain Kieran Thomas increasingly looking for long diagonal balls into the Parkway penalty area.
The Parkway back three were now working overtime. Toby Down found himself at the centre of the defensive effort, throwing himself into blocks, making clearances and helping to marshal a backline that was being asked to withstand increasing pressure.
Parkway continued to hold. The board went up for six additional minutes and, with the clock ticking down, Gloucester threw everything towards the visitors’ penalty area.
Then came the moment that changed the outcome. Gloucester won a throw-in that Parkway felt should have gone the other way, but the decision stood.
The Tigers recycled possession, worked the ball back into the area and, after a ricochet inside the box, substitute Ethan Dunbar found the finish. The equaliser arrived with virtually the last kick of the game.
Karl Curtis admitted afterwards that the timing of the goal made the result difficult to take, but was keen to make clear that the disappointment was not directed towards his players.
“I thought we were unbelievable again,” said Curtis, praising the running, organisation and overall performance.
The Parkway boss also acknowledged that there had been opportunities to put the game beyond Gloucester, particularly in transition, with better decision-making in the final pass potentially allowing Parkway to find the second goal.
That is the frustration to take from the evening. Parkway had done so much right. They had responded to Saturday’s defeat, defended their lead under pressure and created chances to kill the game.
But Gloucester stayed alive long enough to find one final opening. The point keeps Parkway at the top of the Southern League Premier South after ten games, and while there will naturally be disappointment at surrendering the lead so late, the performance provides plenty of encouragement.
There is little time to dwell on it. The attention now turns to the FA Cup. Horsham arrive at Bolitho Park on Saturday with a place in the First Round Proper just two wins away, and Curtis has already challenged his players to embrace the occasion.
After a demanding opening two months, Parkway have earned the right to enjoy another big afternoon. The league can wait. The FA Cup is next.
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