Cup progression was welcome, if not entirely convincing. A 3-2 win under the lights secured a semi-final place and, just as importantly, offered a reminder of what this Parkway squad can look like when the pieces fall into place. Ryan Brett’s assured display in the holding role brought balance, Callum Hall’s return to a central midfield position produced one of those trademark finishes, and Gunner Franke took his goal well with a tireless shift up top. Yet even in victory there were reminders of fragility, with Luke McCormick forced into a string of late saves as Exmouth finished strongly.

Encouragement, then, but also food for thought. The league form remains the uncomfortable truth. Four straight defeats have dragged Parkway back into trouble, and there is a growing sense that performances need to translate into points quickly. Saturday’s fixture carries extra weight, not least because Uxbridge were the side who exposed Parkway earlier in the campaign, leaving Bolitho Park with a commanding 3-0 win built on ruthless set-piece efficiency. Massimo Giamattei’s standout display that afternoon still lingers in the memory.