In his match report Peter Leppington described Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Walton & Hersham as a classic game of two halves. How right he was, after manager Steve Tully again used his five substitutes to good effect to bring about a change in our game plan which brought us right back into a game that at one point, looked like we would get nothing from.

Tully told Connor Hannon how important it is to have a plan B, and he emphasised the importance of every squad member and he went on to say “I am looking at the squad and I’m happy”.

We now turn our attention to our home clash with Plymouth Parkway on Tuesday evening, ko 7.45pm. The Yellows come into the match on the back of a 9-3 thrashing at Hungerford. They made the ideal start by taking the lead in the second minute and created several more chances in the next ten minutes. However, as we know if you don’t take your chances, you pay the consequences. They now find themselves in 21^st place (P8 W0 D3 L5 3 points) and without a league win so far this season. They have lost two and draw two matches away from Bolitho Park since the start of the season.

After a very difficult season with pitch issues The Yellows survived relegation from this league last season by goal difference. We didn’t fare too well against them in that season, going down 1-0 at Bolitho Park on 1^st April and then being held to a 2-2 draw shortly afterwards on 16^th April when we really needed the points to keep ourselves clear of the bottom four.

Parkway decided to make a change of manager in the close season and brought in the highly rated Chris McPhee who has had a long career in league football. He has graced several clubs, including Brighton, Torquay United, and Swindon Town, before transitioning into coaching with Exeter City. Joining him in the dugout as assistant manager is former Scottish professional footballer, Lee Peacock, whose career boasts stints at clubs such as Manchester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, and Swindon Town.

The Yellows are not short of experienced players and this season will rely heavily on both Callam Rose and Jack Crago. Callam Rose The powerhouse defender enters his 4th season at Bolitho Park having both won league titles and survived relegation with Parkway. A favourite amongst teammates and fans, Callum is a big part of Parkway’s recent history.

Jack Crago thrives on goals, and he has scored bucketloads since arriving at Bolitho. Everyone knows Jack at Bolitho and that’s a testament to how he has embraced all things Parkway.

There’s no doubt that McPhee’s men will come out with all guns blazing on Tuesday evening eager to show that Saturday’s match was just one of those freak days when nothing goes right and you just have to put it behind you and move on.

There was more than enough on show from the Dolphins for us all to be confident that the team is settling down well and a run of consistent performances is not far off.

Next Saturday is FA Cup week so we are not in action again until the away trip to Winchester on Tuesday 8^thOctober.

Enjoy the game,

Neil Wellington.