Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South
Tiverton Town v Plymouth Parkway
Monday, August 26 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm
ON Bank Holiday Monday, both sides will be looking to turn around disappointing early-season form and kick-start their seasons. There have been few crumbs of comfort for the two Devon teams in the division, as both sit in the basement with a solitary point after the first four games.
Plymouth Parkway went down to three unanswered first-half Winchester goals at home on Saturday and Tiverton lost to two Bracknell second-half goals on their travels.
Last season's corresponding fixture, which could have been Christened ‘The Garside Derby’, ended 2-2, as the Yellows clawed their way back into the game after trailing to a Rio Garside brace, with the away side being reduced to nine men. Then Rio’s younger brother Carlo reduced the deficit in injury-time and then, right at the death, Cameron Salmon drew us level.
This time, both Garsides will be on the same side, with Carlo having returned to Bolitho Park via a very brief stay at Willand.
It is very unusual for Tiverton to not field any former Parkway players in this fixture, but that will be the case on Monday, whereas, in addition to Carlo, the visitors still have a contingent that played at Ladysmead: Callum Hall, Mikey Williams, Matt Wright and Exeter City loanee Mitch Beardmore all being in the visitors’ ranks.
Not knowing what Argyle loan Zak Baker’s loan agreement is with the other Plymouth-based side, it is uncertain as to whether he will play against us on Monday. Veteran ex-pro Luke McCormick has been in charge of the gloves in recent games.
Baker was called back to Home Park as cover and made the bench for Argyle’s last EFL Championship game following the transfer of Michael Cooper to Sheffield United, but they have since signed another custodian in the shape of Blackpool’s Dan Grimshaw. If Zak is in the 11, he deserves a very good reception for an excellent season with us last year.
Chris McPhee, who maintains a coaching role at Exeter City, replaced long serving and successful ex-Parkway boss Lee Hobbs this season and, much like our own Leigh Robinson, he is developing a new side, bringing in the experienced ex-Truro and Taunton player Ryan Brett, who, with Shane White, brings pedigree to their dressing room.
Their Dylan Jones – the forward – has sparked a lot of interest since the youngster became a regular starter, firstly under Hobbs and then McPhee, and there are lots of promising youngsters in the away side’s squad.
We faltered once again, against Bracknell and although it is early days in the campaign, the Yellows have yet to find the solution. It is important for the players to remain positive and for personalities to not go into their shells.
We must maintain belief and work hard to achieve the goals of winning football matches and being competitive at this level, before building on that solid foundation. Entering our fifth game, only one player has put the ball in the net; others need to start scoring, too.
There is an abundance of ability within the squad, but, without character, determination and concentration, ability will only get you so far.
We need to play our part as fans also, so let us come out in force and be the12th man on Monday and get behind the boys.
Tickets for the game are available on line at www.tivertontownfc.co.uk/matchdaytickets
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