Parkway made an early break in the second half with Jones and Carlo Garside linking well along the right with the latter’s cross cum shot landing on the roof of the net.

The game continued in a similar pattern to the first half with both sides conceding possession too easily in midfield and both looking to go more direct with long balls in behind the opposition backlines. Tiverton created a clear opportunity on 51 minutes with McCormick doing well to spread himself and block an effort with the follow up shot also being blocked and flying behind for a corner.

Parkway responded by breaking away with Corey Koerner going clear only for his final ball in the final third to lack direction and the hosts clearing to safety. Tiverton gradually began to look the more threatening and on 54 minutes a cross from the left by Jones was well gathered by McCormick.

Thompson then broke free along the right with McCormick again doing well to command his 6 yard box with a secure take. Forkuo then fired way over from around 25 yards as Tiverton continued to press forward with Parkway working hard, competing well and defending solidly.

Tiverton should have taken the lead on 59 minutes with Ryan Crawford heading wide from close range after a dangerous s cross from the right. Parkway made a double change on the hour with Rio Garside and James Watts-Barciela replacing the industrious Hall and the hard working Koerner who had put in a decent shift in his first start.

Tiverton then made their first change with Theo Jeremy replacing Crawford. Play continued to be well contested albeit still lacking any great quality with Tiverton dominating possession without creating too much and Parkway defending well. Watts-Barciela made an almost immediate impact making a couple of pacy, forceful runs wide on the right forcing Tiverton on to the back foot but the final ball generally lacked direction with no end product.      

On 72 minutes the hosts created an excellent chance with a long ball over the top finding Jay Parker going clear unchallenged only for him to fire wide from around 15 yards. A let off for Parkway.

Tiverton continued to threaten going forward with Parkway being forced to defend in numbers with Taylor Scarff alongside White working hard at the back winning a number of important headers and generally blunting a number of Tiverton attacks.

On 75 minutes Javan Wright replaced Leighton Thomas for the hosts as the game continued to be played at a high tempo but still with neither side able to completely control proceedings.

Parkway were now looking to play more on the counter and by pass the midfield with Watts-Barciela again showing good pace by racing clear along the right on 78 minutes and winning a free kick which was taken by Rio Garside but fired straight at Pagel who gathered easily. Tiverton continued to dominate possession and on 80 minutes Parkway gave the ball away in midfield with Jeremy showing good pace crossing and forcing a corner with Mike Baker sending a bullet header narrowly wide.

From their next attack Tiverton created another good chance with Parker again going clear and finding himself one on one with McCormick who spread himself and blocked the striker’s effort. Little was seen of Parkway in their final third as they continued to absorb pressure and defend in number however they did manage to build an attack along the left on 84 minutes with Jones cutting inside but firing his angled drive well wide of the far post.

On 86 minutes Gene Price replaced the tiring debutant Joce. Tiverton continued to press forward as the game entered 5 minutes of added time, forcing 2 successive corners from the left which were again well defended by Parkway who managed to see the game out.  

A game lacking any great quality from either side on a bumpy surface, neither of whom were able to impose themselves or dominate the game with too many passes going astray and both sides guilty of conceding possession far too easily in midfield preferring to adopt a more direct style. Few chances were created by either side in the first half with Tiverton creating the better ones in the second but lacking clinical finishing with Parkway displaying determination and resolve in their defensive play but unable to create too much going forward.

Notwithstanding that, a much improved performance from Saturday by Parkway with everyone showing desire, application and a good attitude by working hard throughout to keep their first clean sheet of the season and gain a valuable point. As a former manager of another West country side once said, every point’s a prisoner!   

Parkway’s attention now turns to the 1st round qualifying of the FA Cup with step 5 Wessex Premier side Portsmouth based Baffins Milton Rovers the visitors to Bolitho Park on Saturday with former professional and prolific striker Brett Pitman in their squad. The visitors currently sit with a 100% record at the top of their league having won all 4 games and arrive of the back off a 6-2 FA Vase victory last Saturday over AFC Portchester who sit 2nd in the same league having themselves played 3 and won 3.

Despite the opposition playing at 2 levels below Parkway, the visitors current form and impressive recent record indicate a tough challenge awaits.