Parkway's Beardmore hits Gloucester City for six

ON the Winter Solstice, Parkway gifted the Yellow faithful an early Christmas present by hitting thirdplace Gloucester City for six. While Mitch Beardmore will steal the headlines for his six goals, it was a complete team performance that pleased the 265 in attendance.

- MICHAEL PARRISH

Following Parkway's mini unbeaten run of three Southern Premier League games, halted last weekend in dramatic late fashion away to Sholing, the squad returned home for the first time since November 9. Manager Chris McPhee made one change to his side, with Rio Garside returning to midfield in place of former Argyle academy striker James Edworthy, as Mitch Beardmore led the line. Parkway's midfield engine room, Callum Hall, noted in the local press on the eve of the fixture that Parkway would look to release their shackles and take the game to their high-flying opponents.

The Tigers travelled to Devon in good form, sitting pretty in third spot ahead of a busy Christmas period, with wins against Poole and Chertsey Town in their previous two outings. Tigers' boss Mike Cook made two changes to his side, replacing Harry Burns and Jadyn Crosbie with Dayle Grubb and Jaydn Crosbie.

With the superb 5-star performance at Bolitho against Marlow now a distant memory, Parkway looked to seize the opportunity of an upset on a rain-swept afternoon in Plymouth. However, it was the visitors who made the early inroads, with Obinna Anaebonam looking sharp and a spell of quick, neat passing on a playing surface that remained in fine condition despite the recent rain engulfing the city. It would be the Tigers who fashioned the first chance of the afternoon, as Joseph Hanks, fresh from his halfway line strike in his last outing, tried an effort this time from the edge of the area, but his right-footed strike was saved well, low down to Ewan Griffiths' left.