Parkway continued their pre season build up with a visit to step 4 Willand Rovers. Just before kick off news filtered through that fans of non league clubs at step 3 and below would be allowed into grounds with updated government guidance expected in the next 24-48 hours. Good news at long last.

Parkway made a sharp start and good link up play between Ryan Richards and Callum Hall on 2 minutes set up A Trialist whose close range effort was well smothered by the home keeper. On 5 minutes another sweeping Parkway move saw Trialist blast well over when well placed. The game was being played at a high tempo and with virtually their first attack the home side took the lead on 13 minutes. A break along the right saw a dangerous cross well defended with the resultant corner being headed home at the back post.

Play continued to be competitive and on 18 minutes a close range header from Trialist was comfortably saved. On 20 minutes a trademark surging run from deep by Mikey Williams ended with him pulling his shot just wide from 20 yards. Willand continued to threaten and on 22 minutes doubled their lead. Parkway conceded possession in central midfield allowing Willand to break forward and a well worked move down the left ended with a shot being lofted over the advancing Kyle Moore from around 18 yards.

Another break by Willand on 25 minutes saw a cross to the far post result in a free header bouncing off the top of the crossbar and behind to safety. Parkway continued to show some decent phases of play with some good pass and move football and were rewarded by pulling a goal back on 28 minutes. A strong break along the right by Isaac Burdon released River Allen who was bundled over in the penalty area with Richards calmly slotting home the spot kick for his first goal on his return to the club.

Straight from the kick off Parkway nearly equalised when more sharp build up play ended with a fine strike from Richards being superbly tipped over by the keeper. Play continued to ebb and flow at a pace with a Willand break along the right ending with an unmarked player pulling his shot across Moore but going just wide. Willand then had a period in the ascendancy winning a series of free kicks which were either well defended or poorly delivered. On 40 minutes Parkway deservedly drew level. Determined play in midfield by Billy Palfrey saw him win the ball and link with Williams who released Richards who powered forward unchallenged, draw the keeper off his line and calmly shoot across him into the bottom corner. An entertaining half played at a high tempo with Parkway doing well to recover from being 2-0 down.

Changes were made at half time with Ryan Lane and Harrison Davis replacing the midfield duo of Williams and Palfrey. Willand started the half the stronger with efforts going wide on 52 and 55 minutes as the Parkway defence came under increasing pressure but holding firm. On 55 minutes Michael Landricombe replaced James Ward who appeared to pick up a knock. Willand began to control the midfield but were also prepared to go direct with a series of long range diagonal balls from left to right. On the hour Parkway should have taken the lead. A break from midfield saw Trialist and Richards again interchange well with Richards going clear and being caught in two minds with his attempted chip failing to beat the keeper with other options available.

Steve Colwell replaced Trialist shortly after as play continued to go from end to end but with defences generally coping well. On 69 minutes a second Trialist replaced the first one. Willand continued to look the stronger and on 74 minutes another long diagonal ball to the right found a player in space and go clear but shoot over from a tight angle. A long range stinging drive on 75 minutes tested Moore who saved well low down. Parkway continued to come under pressure and on 85 minutes a lunging tackle in the box by Rob Farkins saw a penalty awarded with the taker sending Moore the wrong way.

Despite Willand looking the more dominant and streetwise side in the second half, Parkway almost equalised on the cusp of full time. A break from midfield down the right released the pacy Trialist whose run and dangerous cross across the 6 yard box reached Richards at the far post whose close range diving header flashed agonisingly wide. A good workout against a side from a higher league for the much changed Parkway squad from last season with players beginning to gel, build partnerships, adapt to formations, get game time and build fitness levels. Pre season continues on Saturday at 1.30 with Torpoint Athletic the visitors to Stadio Bolitho when it is hoped that at long last spectators will be allowed into the ground and conform to Government/FA protocols. Pre season concludes on Saturday 29 August with a visit to step 4 side Melksham Town with a 3pm KO. The draw for the early rounds of the FA Cup were also made today and Parkway will have an attractive home tie against close neighbours Saltash United on Tuesday 1 September which should attract a good crowd. The tie will be decided on the night as there are no replays in the FA Cup this season. In the next round the winners will entertain step 4 side Paulton Rovers who Parkway beat 5-2 at the same stage last season.