A period of pressure by the hosts saw them take the lead on the half hour.

Hill made a strong run forward and against a retreating Parkway defence, slid the ball to Jack Torniainen who cut inside and fired a crisp left footed drive past Lee’s despairing dive.

Winchester continued to chase, close down and compete strongly all over the pitch with Parkway guilty of conceding possession under pressure too often and unable to create too much forward momentum or trouble the host’s backline who held firm.

Approaching half time a Parkway free kick from the right was well gathered by Philpott followed by a strong run along the right by Harrison King who cut inside with his cross being blocked by some resolute Winchester defending.

A tense first half with neither side able to dominate and few chances being created and Winchester converting one of the few that came their way.

Despite Parkway generally defending well, they were unable to get their passing game going against a combative Winchester midfield and rarely tested the home keeper with the hosts just about deserving their half time lead. 

Winchester started the second half the half the stronger putting the Parkway defence under immediate pressure with Bentley seeing an effort blocked on 47 minutes.

Parkway responded with Seymour and Jack Crago linking well along the left with Daniel King doing well to block Crago’s cross. On 52 minutes Smith was sent clear only to fire over from around 20 yards as the hosts continued to threaten.

A rare Parkway attack on 56 minutes saw a neat exchange of passes between Garside and Harrison King force a corner which was not fully cleared with Toby Down hooking the loose ball just over from around 8 yards.

Winchester continued in the ascendancy and doubled their lead on 58 minutes. After good build up play along the left, Parkway were unable to fully clear the danger with the ball only being cleared as far as Nolan some 18 yards out who rifled home a powerful first time shot giving Lee no chance.

Parkway looked to regroup and recover but continued to come under pressure in midfield where they were unable to retain possession or provide any decent service to the front players.

As frustration begin to creep in, Harrison King was booked for a strong challenge on 62 minutes with Winchester continuing to press the ball denying Parkway time on the ball to build any forward momentum.

Parkway made a double substitution on 63 minutes with Billy Palfrey and Tom Bath replacing Callum Hall and Toby Down respectively as they looked to adopt a more attacking formation in their attempt to force a way back into the game. Jamie Barron then saw yellow for kicking the ball away, being immediately replaced by Luke King. Parkway began to press forward more with Lane’s long range effort on 67 minutes being deflected for a corner.

Winchester however remained on top with Palfrey being booked for dissent on 68 minutes. With Winchester now looking to contain, hold on to their lead and play on the counter, this allowed Parkway to create a period of pressure which was rewarded on 71 minutes after Seymour was brought down in the penalty area for a clear spot kick. Seymour gave Parkway a lifeline by confidently converting the penalty.

Play continued at high tempo with Parkway now dominating possession but still unable to penetrate or break down a solid Winchester defence with Philpott rarely tested.

Henry Brooks replaced Torniainen on 73 minutes as the hosts looked to tactically slow the game down and break up play at every opportunity. With Parkway sending more men forward and leaving wide open spaces at the back, a Winchester break along the right on 76 minutes was halted by some last ditch defending by Lane and Rose. Luke King become the next player booked on 77 minutes after a strong challenge in midfield. 

As Parkway searched for an equaliser, good work by Booth and Garside on 78 minutes saw the ball played into Bath whose first time shot from around 18 yards flew narrowly over. Most of the game was now being played in the Winchester half with the hosts packing men behind the ball and playing on the counter.

A number of long balls played in behind the Parkway backline forced Lee, playing almost as a sweeper, out of his area on a couple of occasions to clear the loose balls by any means possible.

Parkway continued to attack and on 83 minutes as astute through ball by Booth just went beyond Seymour with Philpott smothering the loose ball just inside the 18 yard area.

Philpott was called into action again shortly after when punching clear a couple of corners as Parkway continued to apply pressure. With Winchester looking to exploit the space behind Parkway backline they broke away on 85 minutes with Lane seeing yellow after halting the attack with a foul some 25 yards out. Josh Bertie then replaced Hill for the hosts as they looked to slow the game down and close it out which they managed to do despite Parkway remaining on the offensive but still unable to create any clear chances.

A member of the Winchester staff then saw yellow presumably for either remarks made or time wasting before the final action saw a long throw from Lane flicked on at the near post but gathered by Philpott to avert the danger.

A disappointing end to their unbeaten run with Parkway not at their best nor allowed to be by a highly motivated, determined Winchester who created the better chances scoring through 2 quality strikes.

Parkway although defending well were neither able to gain control in midfield nor show enough quality or composure in the final third to create any clear chances with the hosts just about deserving the win.

Their post match on field celebrations showed what the victory meant to them!  Despite the defeat, other results today sees Parkway remain in 15th place still 5 points clear of the relegation zones and with between 4 and 7 games in hand over teams below them.

Parkway go back on the road on Tuesday for the long journey to face bottom side North Leigh who they visited in the FA Cup in September coming from 2-0 down at half time to win 3-2 with a stoppage time Seymour penalty clinching the win.

Yet another tough away day is envisaged before returning to Bolitho Park next Saturday when 19th placed Yate are the visitors.