Parkway earn a hard fought point on the road

PARKWAY returned to league action with a visit to second placed Merthyr Town. Three changes were made to the starting line up from last week’s narrow 2-1 defeat to AFC Totton in the FA Trophy.

- GRAHAM LLOYD

Toby Down, Tom Purrington and Reece Thomson replaced Callum Rose, Henry Wilson and Matt Wright respectively.

The game got off to a cagey start with both sides feeling their way with the hosts the first to show forcing a corner on the left on three minutes which came to nothing.

Merthyr were controlling the majority of possession building up patiently through midfield and on deven minutes a cross from left by Ollie Mehew was gathered at full stretch at the second attempt by Adam Parkes. Parkway created their first opportunity on nine minutes when a long ball picked out Jack Crago who squared to Reece Thomson whose first time shot from around 18 yards was comfortably saved by Jaimie Cogman. On 12 minutes clever play on the right by Thomas Hillman saw his dangerous cross fly across the six yard area with no one on hand to get a final touch.

Merthyr continued with their patient build up play probing an opening but mainly with lateral movement lacking the penetration to test the Parkway defence which remained solid.

Parkway gradually began to impose themselves on the game and look the more threatening and on 20 minutes a break along the right saw a dangerous cross driven into the 18 yard area with the hosts clearing and breaking away with Oscar Halls being cautioned for a foul in halting the hosts counter attack.

Parkway continued to look the more threatening and on 25 minutes a strong run from Ryan Lane down the left saw Cogman make a superb save from a close range shot and go behind for a corner. Parkway continued to press and from the resultant corner and cross a goalmouth scramble ensued after Cogman had flapped at a cross creating pressure on the hosts defence.