Match Preview | Plymouth Parkway

Plymouth Parkway vs Tiverton Town

Saturday 27th December 3pm Kick off

Bolitho Park

In the first of two games over the festive period, a Devon Derby is on the Yellows agenda. Plymouth Parkway and ourselves have for a few seasons now reached this fixture, both having a relegation battle on their hands. Though since they joined us in this division, we have failed to beat our South Devon rivals. One defeat and five draws reveal how closely fought these games usually are. 

The relatively short journey this time to Parkway, will be taken with Tiverton deep in trouble at the foot of the table. Our hosts though are hovering just above the relegation places and ahead of playing against Tivvy, they suffered a 4-0 reverse against formidable Farnham Town.

Realistically Tivvy can ill afford to lose either of their games over Christmas, if they are to perform what would be a miraculous escape of epic proportions. Adrift and with a backlog of home fixtures to fulfil, points are required urgently. 

Asa Hall and Steve Orchard’s troops have showed a lot of spirit in adversity, which is commendable. However, their predicament will only ease with better results. On Saturday they will have to overcome the odds on a few fronts but will nevertheless be determined to make that happen. 

Minor injuries and niggles will have had a good chance to have cleared up, with the postponed matches assisting the player’s recoveries and Louis Jagger Cane should be fit enough to be pushing for selection.  Captain Toby Down will be up against his former club and Corey Koerner was a loanee for Parkway, when he was at Yeovil. 

Callum Hall appeared for Tiverton in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns in a wide capacity mainly as a full back. Returning to his native Plymouth via Willand, he has moved into a central midfield position in which he has flourished with Parkway.  

32-year-old Mikey Williams known as ‘The Wizard’, is undoubtedly a gifted footballer. Williams played for the Yellows in the 2015/16 season and a little of the following one. Carlo Garside's cultured displays, saw him enjoy a promising stint with Tiverton in the 2023/24 season. 

Jack Veale is another to have been with us in that campaign. Similarly showing good technical qualities during his stay, Veale is now with Parkway, after being at Cardiff Met. The talented Farron Simons spent the first half of last term at the Slee Blackwell Stadium on loan from Truro and has made Parkway his home this term. 

Striker Rocky Neal’s scoring exploits at this level are well known and to obtain his signature for this season was an excellent piece of business from our hosts. 86 goals from 157 games in this league highlights the danger he possesses. Prolific for both Taunton and Truro for whom he was playing in the National League South, until moving to Parkway. Neal was briefly with Tivvy in the 2015/2016 campaign. 

Attacking player James Watts-Barciela has caught the eye. The 19-year-old winger/frontman has had an impressive emergence over the last two seasons. The exciting performer also had a short loan spell with Willand during the previous season. 

Captain Rio Garside is the older of the Two brothers at Bolitho Park. A driving, energetic and inspirational midfielder, Garside is a former Plymouth Argyle academy player who was with Truro for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. He moved to Parkway during the following campaign, becoming a mainstay and is close to making 200 appearances in this division. 

Seasoned performers at this level and higher are Ryan Brett and Shane White. Between them they have a wealth of experience.  

Veteran midfielder Brett now 35, played many games for Truro in the National League South and prior to that Salisbury City. Beginning his football journey in Plymouth’s academy. Playing over 200 times for the Tinners, more than 100 league games for Taunton, Brett has unquestionable pedigree and knowhow. 

The versatile Shane White has followed a similar path. He came through the Pilgrims youth set up at the same time, White also made well over 200 appearances at Truro and is a combative, leader on the pitch. Four campaigns with Taunton, where he was an integral part of their success in between a return to the Tinners preceded his arrival at Bolitho Park. 

Highly rated, young defender Tylor Love-Holmes is contracted to National League Truro, as he was last term. A popular loanee for Parkway then when he made a big impression, he has returned on loan again and began his senior career in the area with Saltash. 

Another loanee, this time from Premier League Bournemouth is keeper Mack Allan. The 19-year-old has previously had loan spells with Totton and Basingstoke, having been touted to have a big future in the game. He has made the number one spot his own. 

Manager Chris McPhee through his work at Exeter City has strong links to their academy and some young Grecians and previous young Exeter players are part of the squad he has assembled. Parkway’s boss oversaw a good run in the FA Trophy, where his side won three games. 

McPhee had a decent EFL career as a forward. Making over 130 league appearances; 60 for Brighton, 63 for Torquay and eight for Swindon on loan from Brighton. Additionally, he has good non-league pedigree too. Winning the FA Trophy with Ebbsfleet, scoring the winning goal against Torquay and receiving the MOTM award. He served Kidderminster Harriers, Weymouth and Salisbury too. 

Asa Hall will be picking his wits against McPhee for the first time and will be hoping that his team will be firing on all cylinders in Plymouth. The coaching and playing staff will be looking to take momentum from this game into the hotly anticipated one at home against Taunton, next weekend. As always, let’s give the lads our support!