New Year, Old Rivals

Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South

Plymouth Parkway v Tiverton Town

Wednesday, January 1. 3pm . Bolitho Park

THIS is simply a massive game in the context of both clubs' season. The traditional Christmas fixture with Parkway is also a traditional six-pointer - for the second season running, the Devon rivals are both at the wrong end of the table. Both ultimately escaped relegation last season and the thought of being precariously placed once again would not have been a pleasant one.

The Bolitho Park side's performance against Havant & Waterlooville in securing victory should have given them a bit of momentum, but a 6-0 thrashing of promotion contenders Gloucester  City followed by a heavy  5-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Frome Town suggests unpredictability and inconsistency which will definitely not discourage Rob Dray’s men.

The Yellows would have looked ahead to the Christmas programme and viewed the trip to Chertsey in a busy run of games as tough and a point would have been seen as a plus. However, after losing to Taunton, a much needed response saw Tiverton build a two-goal cushion that the Curfews cancelled out with a precious three points beckoning.

Parkway boss Chris McPhee will have been very proud of young Exeter City loanee Mitch Beardmore’s amazing performance in scoring all six goals against Gloucester, even more so because of his work in the Grecians Academy set-up. Beardmore, of course, spent some time on loan at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium last season but had limited game time.

Tivvy manager Rob Dray will renew acquaintances with three former Taunton midfielders: captain Shane White and Ryan Brett, along with striker Matt Wright, are part of the current Parkway squad.

White was a mainstay of Truro’s midfield before his move to the Plymouth side and the veteran midfielder is well respected in non-League circles. Former Plymouth Argyle Ademy player Brett is 34 and another to have played for former tenants Truro. Like White, he brings invaluable experience and pedigree to the Parkway dressing room.

Wright, as many will know, was often a thorn in the side in his Taunton days and the physical frontman did play for us in the 2021-22 season before being part of the promoted Truro squad in the following campaign.

Callum Hall was a popular player in his days at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium, as was Mikey Williams in a short spell with us. Carlo Garside was a vital part of both Martyn Rogers and Leigh Robinson’s squad last year and all three are classy operators in this level of football.

Toby Down enjoyed a successful couple of seasons at Bolitho Park, where he was a regular in our hosts’ back line, having began the 2022-23 season with the Yellows.

Back to the task in hand for Tiverton and Javan Wright’s participation will be in some doubt after he pulled up in the warm-up at Chertsey on Saturday. With the squad being rotated a little, it will be intriguing to see what starting 11 Rob Dray and his coaching staff opt for. Gabe Billington and Marcus Day were both starters in Surrey and both found the net.

If either side can achieve a win here, it will be pretty much a statement victory. Our home game saw plenty of chances for Tivvy to take all three points and, at the time, was very much seen by supporters, players and coaches alike as an opportunity missed.

An opportunity taken here should give us greater confidence and all important momentum going into the remainder of the campaign.