Parkway dig deep to deny The Boatmen

PLYMOUTH Parkway had to settle for a hard-earned point against an impressive Sholing side at Bolitho Park, surviving a stern second-half examination to extend their growing reputation for staying in games they briefly look destined to lose.

- By HERALD REPORTER

Callum Hall was on target for Parkway

(TOM PINDER)

Parkway made two enforced changes from Tuesday night's 2-2 draw at Dorchester, and both carried real weight. Jake Smith's injury looks set to sideline the youngster for the long haul, while Mikey Williams couldn't shake off a knock. In came Taylor Scarff, making his first start since returning from injury after 80 minutes in midweek, and Farren Simons restored to the XI. There was at least a welcome boost on the bench, with striker Rocky Neal back in the matchday squad.

A soggy Plymouth morning eventually gave way to clearer skies over the beautiful Bolitho Park setting, but the buildup was far from smooth. Kickoff was delayed by ten minutes following an injury prior to the game, and when the contest finally got underway it was Sholing who burst out of the blocks. The Boatmen, who travelled down the day before and clearly prepared meticulously for the long trip, played with the sharpness of a side determined to keep their strong early-season form rolling under captain Byron Mason.

Parkway stayed with a lone-striker setup, Will Sullivan leading the line with Callum Hall and Watts-Barciela asked to support whenever possible, but early on it was Sholing's tempo that set the tone. Despite the pitch holding up well after heavy rain, there were a few slips as players adjusted, and Blaise Riley-Snow imposed himself in midfield, anchoring the visitors through a scrappy opening spell that lacked real quality.