Parkway Look to Carry Trophy Momentum into Dorchester Midweek Test
Dorchester Town v Parkway | Match PreviewBy Mike Parrish
Plymouth Parkway return to league action on Tuesday night with a trip to Dorchester Town, aiming to build on the confidence gained from Saturday’s dramatic 4–3 FA Trophy victory over National League South side Salisbury. That seven-goal thriller showcased the character and attacking bravery emerging within Chris McPhee’s reshaped squad, but Parkway now turn their attention back to the Southern League, where they seek a response to last week’s 3–0 home defeat to Uxbridge.
As has been the case in recent weeks, McPhee will again assess the fitness of defender Taylor Scarff and striker Rocky Neal ahead of the journey to Dorset, though the travelling squad is expected to mirror the group that impressed so strongly at the weekend. The continued form of young forwards Will Sullivan and James Watts-Barciela offers fresh optimism, while the midfield trio of Rio Garside, Carlo Garside and Jake Smith will once more be central to Parkway’s approach.
Dorchester sit 18th after 15 matches, with three wins, five draws and seven defeats, and remain the division’s second lowest scorers with only 16 goals. However, the Magpies are unbeaten in their last three league outings, drawing with Chertsey Town and Bracknell Town before beating Basingstoke, and will look to respond after a 2–0 FA Trophy loss to Dover on Saturday. Their home record reads two wins, two draws and four defeats, with 15 goals conceded at the Avenue, a figure bettered only by Bracknell.
The sides played out a memorable 3–3 draw at Bolitho Park in September, when Dorchester raced into a 3–0 lead before Charlie Wooding’s red card triggered a Parkway fightback completed by Watts-Barciela’s 91st-minute equaliser. The historical balance remains tight, with Parkway winning four of the nine meetings, Dorchester three, and two ending level. However, Parkway have not beaten Dorchester in the last four encounters and are yet to win at the Avenue Stadium in three previous attempts.
Dorchester’s attacking threat is spearheaded by top scorer Joe Parker, with Tom Smith and Wayne Robinson also contributing two goals each. Parkway will need to manage those dangers while looking to impose the fast, front-foot tempo that caused Salisbury so many problems.
With confidence high after Saturday’s cup heroics, Parkway will hope to turn that momentum into much-needed league points as they head under the Tuesday night lights in Dorset.
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