Rock 'n Roll Star Does it Again
Parkway v Gloucester City | Match ReportPlymouth Parkway defeated Gloucester City 1-0 in a close encounter under the lights at Bolitho Park
Rocky Neal’s twelfth goal of the campaign proved to be the difference as Parkway claimed all three points and maintained their 100% record in the league at Bolitho.
 Plymouth ParkwayGloucester City 
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Full Match Report
Images: Ellie Bailey
The Yellows welcomed Gloucester City to PL5 as Karl Curtis’s side looked for an immediate response after losing away at Basingstoke on the weekend.
Earlier in the campaign, the Yellows were denied all three points away at Gloucester as Ethan Dunbar’s late equaliser earned his side a share of the points. But now it was Parkway’s turn to host on a Tuesday night as Curtis’s side continued their demanding run of fixtures.
Curtis made two changes to the eleven who suffered defeat, as new signing Ed Palmer earned his first minutes in a Parkway shirt, replacing the injured Mikey Williams. Will Sullivan also made way for his cousin Joel Sullivan at wing-back.
Captain Rio Garside got the game underway, as Parkway looked to start the game on the front foot. The Yellows retained possession well inside the opening five minutes, as the Yellows immediately looked to put the away side under pressure. However a string of mistakes from Curtis’s side allowed Gloucester to quickly grow into the game, as the Dragons midfielder James Waite made a run into the box, but some composed defending from Toby Down brought an end to the attack.
Possession began to change hands, as both sides were unable to get a hold of the game. Some better play from Parkway resulted in some half-chances, although none would come close to opening the scoreline. Gloucester responded with some chances of their own, as the away side looked to continue their strong start, but the Parkway defence remained firm.
The high press from the Yellows resulted in Rocky Neal finding space on the edge of the box. The forward was unable to find a yellow shirt, allowing Gloucester to clear, but only as far as Jensen Ireland. The wing back let fly from 25 yards out, but his ambitious effort couldn’t find the target.
The Yellows looked to break the deadlock before half-time with some sustained pressure as Reece Thomson’s powerful effort was saved by Thompson in goal, a flurry of set-pieces followed as the away side were put under a sustained amount of pressure, but Parkway couldn’t present a shot at goal.
A game of head tennis on the edge of the Gloucester box was eventually cleared by the away side, before the referee brought the first-half to an end. A half neither side would be proud of. With the game in a deadlock at the interval.
No changes were made at half-time as Gloucester got the game back underway. The away side started the half the better of the two teams with some continued possession, whilst Parkway remained patient in their press. Possession continued to change hands as the Yellows looked to grow into the second-half, but neither side could break down the opposing defence.
The Dragons went close to opening the scoring through Ethan Dunbar, but his effort could only find the side netting from a narrow angle. Some better play from Parkway set up Callum Hall who found space in the box, but his shot was blocked.
Gloucester responded with a good chance of their own when captain Hemmings picked up the ball just inside the box. The forward curled his shot towards the top corner, but Aaron Dearing made an unbelievable save to his left to keep the scores level.
The game began to really open up, as chances at either side of the pitch came close to opening the scoring. Curtis looked to his bench for the first time, with Jensen Ireland making way for Will Sullivan as the Parkway boss looked to inject some fresh legs on the right hand side.
A loose pass from Ed Palmer almost presented Gloucester with a chance, but the defender made up for his mistake by winning the ball back and finding Callum Hall in midfield. Hall’s through ball in behind the Dragons defence found Rocky Neal who stayed composed and graciously lifted the ball over the in-pursuit keeper to give Parkway the lead and give the game its long awaited opener.
Ed Harrison and Henry Donovan were introduced in the latter stages, replacing the hard working Callum Hall and forward Reece Thomson, as Parkway began to see the game out. Goalscorer Rocky Neal was also withdrawn as Hayden Turner partnered Henry Donovan upfront whilst Curtis’s side worked relentlessly to claim all three points.
Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, the referee blew the final whistle. The Yellows returned to winning ways after a hard fought victory under the lights.
Curtis spoke to Parkway TV following his side’s victory and praised the team’s response to the loss at Basingstoke. He said “ Whenever this team gets beat and they have a game at home next, they always respond.” The Parkway boss also admired the Gloucester team who he described as “the best team we’ve played all season.”
There was also immense plaudits for debutant Ed Palmer for his performance both on and off the pitch, “Just having Ed in your changing room just breathes confidence” Curtis followed on saying “And then he goes and performs like that, him alongside Toby Down and Ryan Brett were magnificent.”
Parkway now look ahead to one of the longest away trips of the season in Hamworth Villa. A side who are on a good run of form and currently sit amongst the teams at the top. But Curtis believes in his team and wants to bring back the side’s “away day mentality.”
A huge three points at Bolitho, but the momentum must now shift to the road, as Parkway head to London to take on Hamworth Villa.
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