Parkway made the midweek trip to Wellington looking to maintain their early season progress. Squad rotation was again in evidence as 4 changes were made from Saturday’s victory at Brislington. Jamie Lowry, making his first appearance of the season, River Allen returning from a 3 match suspension, Matt Wright and Ryan Richards started in place of the injured Rob Farkins, Mikey Williams, Levi Landricombe and the unavailable Callum Hall. Billy Palfrey was captain on the night.

Playing down the slope Parkway almost made the perfect state when on 2 minutes a defensive slip saw Wright’s snapshot well blocked by the home keeper Tom Welch. Parkway were soon into their stride looking dangerous along both flanks and took the lead on 7 minutes. A swift move involving Lowry, Harrison Davis and Ryan Lane set up Allen who smashed home a low shot from around 25 yards. Scot Merrett then shot over from 20 yards for the hosts as Parkway, looking fluent and playing at a high tempo, doubled their lead on 12 minutes.

A move started from deep by the impressive Lowry saw the ball worked through Lane and Allen who crossed for Craig Veal to send a looping header over the keeper for his first goal for the club since his recent signing. Ryan Richards then saw his angled drive from around 18 yards well saved with Wellington, playing on the break, pulling a goal back on 17 minutes. A near post corner from the right was not dealt with by the Parkway defence with the loose ball dropping to Glen Wright who drilled home through a crowded 6 yard box giving the unsighted Kyle Moore no chance. The goal was the first conceded by Parkway from open play for 7 games and denied them their 6^th consecutive clean sheet.

Almost straight from the kick off  Parkway restored their 2 goal lead and after more good play between Wright and Richards, Veal rifled a shot high into the top corner to double his tally. With Lowry hitting long range passes to the wide open flanks at will from deep, Palfrey displaying energy and tenacity driving forward and Allen effortlessly exploiting the space in midfield, Parkway were totally dominating the midfield areas. Davis and Lane continued to operate in the wide open spaces on the flanks and looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Wellington rarely threatened being restricted to long range efforts one of which on 25 minutes from Mason Raymond forced Moore into a save at full stretch pushing the ball behind for a rare corner. Another sweeping Parkway move on 32 minutes ended with a dangerous cross from Lane just evading the stretching Veal. On 40 minutes Parkway stretched their lead further which their constant attacking play deserved. Another flowing move along the right saw Davis and Veal link well with the cross finding Allen arriving late into the area to finish smartly from around 10 yards.

Wellington continued to compete well but were allowed little time or space in midfield by the constant pressing of the Parkway midfield trio with the central defensive partnership of Michael Landricombe and Jordan Bentley dealing comfortably with the hosts sporadic attacks. An excellent half from Parkway with the midfield trio and wide players linking well to create numerous chances and the front 3 looking sharp and mobile.

Parkway continued to dominate the early stages of the second half and on 51 minutes a superb 60 yard surging run from Davis ended with his shot being superbly saved by Welch. On 53 minutes Parkway went further ahead after a smart passage of play between Richards, Lane and Allen along the left saw the latter square the ball to Palfrey who let fly from around 22 yards into the top corner for his 2^nd goal in successive games. Both sides made double substitutions on the hour with Levi Landricombe and Williams replacing Richards and Veal both of whom had worked tirelessly and selflessly up front creating numerous problems for the home defence. Despite the tempo dropping, Parkway continued to control the game and on 68 minutes another blistering run from Davis, who did well to stay on his feet when illegally challenged and the referee playing a sensible advantage, ended with Welch making another smart save. Jack Lewis was then booked for the challenge.

On 72 minutes Levi Landricombe fired wildly over when well placed just before Parkway made their final substitution with Lee Bevan replacing Lane. Parkway continued to control the game albeit at a slower pace but still manged to add a 6^th goal in stoppage time. A long ball was headed on by Wright with Levi Landricombe running in behind and harassing the hesitant defender in the 18 yard area, winning the ball and deftly finishing with the outside of his left foot from around 12 yards into the bottom corner. A highly impressive display by Parkway with no visible weak links with the gulf in class between the sides ultimately reflected in the scoreline.

After a hectic start to the season with 8 games in September, 4 at home and 4 away, Parkway sit on top of the table 3 points clear of Street both having played 7 games but having a vastly superior goal difference of plus 23 having scored 25 and conceded just 2. With their only defeat the exit of the FA Cup on penalties to Saltash United, Parkway have made an impressive start to their league campaign as they remain undefeated going into October with 7 games to come this month including 2 more Devon derbies away at Exmouth Town and Buckland Athletic.

Parkway return to an already sold out Bolitho Park this Saturday with the visit of Shepton Mallet before Wednesday’s trip to Exmouth, always a tough place to go. Again credit to the home club for the implementation of the plethora of rules and regulations forced upon them in order for spectators to be allowed into games at this level. It ain’t easy for the many volunteers!