Ex-Yellows Return to Ladysmead Under the Branch of Parkway

Match Preview

Tiverton Town v Plymouth Parkway

Easter Monday April 6th

3pm Kick Off

At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

The traditional Easter Monday fixture will take place at home against Devon Rivals Plymouth Parkway, following our confirmed relegation. A fate that had been looming for a long time may have been reached and obviously represents a sad and challenging time at the club. Further reflections will be made over the coming months, no doubt.

Matt Wood picking up the MOTM award away to Wimbourne on his first appearance as Captain (Viv Curtis)

Looking at this encounter though, it’s impossible to not recall the reverse fixture that hinted at our survival chances being renewed over the Christmas period. An impressive 2-1 victory on the road that day, followed by the same scoreline being achieved in that stirring game at home against Taunton.

Comings and goings in both camps, have seen the departures since of   Parkway manager Chris McPhee, Tivvy's source of goals at Bolitho Park Tor Swann and quite a few of the supporting cast too. 

A rejuvenated Parkway have made big strides in recent weeks, winning Five of their last Seven matches under Interim manager Stuart Dudley, to pull away from the relegation places. A big 3-0 win at home against Basingstoke on Friday, giving them breathing space and catapulting them up to Twelfth.

Dudley, a former player with the South Devon side, has been around the club for a long time. However I don't feel as though many would have expected the quick transformation, following his appointment. 

Tiverton will be hoping to have a few more bodies back for what is always an eagerly anticipated fixture. That said in the absence of established players on Friday, others performed admirably in running a strong Sholing outfit close.

For quite a few players it will be their first taste of this hotly contested Derby and they will be aiming to gain from the experience and thrive in the atmosphere of it. Last season’s game at The Slee Blackwell Solicitors game ended goalless and these have always been close encounters.

There will be a healthy number of ex-Yellows in the visitor's matchday squad, with recently departed captain Toby Down being one of them. Callum Hall, Carlo Garside, Rocky Neal, Mikey Williams and Jack Veale have all had spells with us. 

Corey Koerner had a brief spell with Parkway, whilst with Torquay and as  young Pro's at Yeovil and Exeter respectively Toby Stephens and Gabe Billington were loanees for them in the 2022/23 season. Earlier in this campaign Fletcher Poole had a brief stint on loan at Bolitho Park from parent club Plymouth Argyle.

Leading the line for the away side could well be the newly re-signed Reece Thompson. This is his Third time with them. Beginning with the South Devon team in the 2023/24 season, he spent the majority of the next season at Helston, before rejoining them for the end of that campaign. 

Thompson had been playing at Saltash, for whom he has Played for a fair amount of times during his senior career. His return has coincided with a reversal In fortunes for Parkway.

Rocky Neal, a named substitute on Friday, is an excellent striker to have in your armory, if fit. A Teenage Neal played for the Yellows’, but is noted for his striking ability both with Taunton and Truro. Conjuring up a lot of outstanding strikes and clever assists for both clubs.

Despite an injury hit season he has 8 goals and Asa Hall's men would be foolish to discount his threat. Playing for a number of seasons in National South, he has both experience and pedigree.

Like Neal, Callum Hall was a trainee at Argyle and after his release played for Tiverton in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons as a wide player both defensively and in an attacking capacity. Hall became a Police Officer and due to work commitments joined Willand the following season.

He started playing for his current team in the 2020/21 season and has been a pivotal player ever since, especially after moving into midfield. His often inspirational performances have made him hugely popular with the club's fans. He scored a hat-trick on Friday.

Older brother of Carlo, Rio Garside is the captain and another constant in the Visitors line up. The cultured Garside is a good footballer with strong leadership qualities. Another former academy product at Argyle, he spent three campaigns with Truro. He arrived on loan in the 2022/23 campaign, signing permanently the season after.

Will Sullivan has established himself as a regular in the side, after plying his trade in Cornwall with Helston and Mousehole last term. The talented youngster is another whose formative years were, as part of Argyle's academy.

35 yr old midfielder/defender Ryan Brett has amassed an abundance of pedigree and knowhow. Yes he was a young Pro at Argyle, before establishing himself as a key player for Salisbury City. Brett then had a Three year stay with Truro who were playing a step higher.

Moving to Taunton the cultured and dependable Brett was integral to their success in another Three year spell. Returning back to Truro, he was for four seasons with the Tinners’. Parkway has been his home since the start of the previous campaign.

Our visitors moved quickly to sign defender Jensen Ireland from Argyle following his release and he has been a constant in their backline. He is an ever- present this term and comfortable In possession.

Taylor Scarff is a commanding presence for Parkway. A trainee with Yeovil, the former Tavistock centre back caught the eye in the reverse fixture. Scarff has also played for Barnstaple and is an imposing figure.

With Frankie Phillips returning to Exeter, there is some uncertainty around who will be between the sticks on Monday. Veteran ex Argyle legend Luke McCormick answered the call to play against Basingstoke. A top quality keeper for Swindon and Oxford United as well.

Derbies are always special occasions whatever the situation and are exciting affairs for Players and fans alike. Let's hope for an entertaining spectacle and a positive outcome. So let's get down to the ground and support the lad’s!