Deck the Halls and Dig In
Farnham Town v Parkway | Match PreviewPlymouth Parkway face one of their toughest tasks of the season as they make a mammoth 360-mile round trip to in-form Farnham Town just two days before Christmas.
For reasons known only to the Southern Premier League South, a rearranged fixture now sees the Yellows heading to Surrey on December 23 for an 8pm kick-off. An awkward, demanding journey even by Parkway’s well-travelled standards.
Long away days are nothing new for Chris McPhee’s side, but the timing of this one adds another layer of difficulty. With work and family commitments cutting into availability during the festive period, Parkway’s manager will be forced to juggle his options as he prepares a game plan to blunt one of the division’s most dangerous sides.
Team news is mixed. Captain Rio Garside looks set to miss out through injury, while Tylor Love-Holmes will be assessed after feeling unwell during Saturday’s dramatic 2–1 win at Weymouth. Taylor Scarff, who led the side superbly on the south coast despite battling flu symptoms, will also be monitored ahead of the long haul east.
That victory in Dorset finally ended Parkway’s long wait for an away league win and belief has travelled home with them. Shane White could be handed his first start of the season, while Callum Hall impressed in midfield and Will Sullivan once again changed the course of the contest after coming off the bench.
They will need every ounce of that momentum at the Memorial Ground.
Farnham Town are flying. Fresh from promotion, they have wasted no time making their mark at Step 3 and arrive on an eight-match unbeaten run. Wins over Gloucester City and Poole Town, a thumping 5–0 victory against Tiverton, and a polished 2–0 success over Gosport Borough underline why they are firmly in the promotion conversation.
On paper, this is one of the hardest away days Parkway will face all season. But the Yellows are not travelling simply to admire the scenery.
Despite their lower league position, Parkway know results are tightening at the foot of the table, and opportunities to climb clear will not come gift-wrapped. This is a free hit of sorts, but also a chance to build on hard-earned momentum and prove that last weekend’s breakthrough was no one-off.
Expect a battle, not a classic. Farnham will fancy themselves at home. Parkway will relish the challenge. And if the Yellows can dig in once more, this long Christmas journey might yet deliver another precious reward.
Parkway Partners
