All Eyes on Bolitho
The Preview: Parkway vs BerkhamstedBy KIan Williams
The big day is almost upon Plymouth Parkway as they welcome Berkhamsted to PL5, in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup.
After lots of build up and anticipation, a sold out Bolitho Park will open its gates to 2,000+ fans all eagerly awaiting the history-defining moment. The evening will mark a new chapter in the club’s rise, with Parkway playing in the First Round of the FA Cup for the first time.
To make the occasion even bigger, the tie has been selected for live television coverage on TNT Sports, with improvements around the ground taking shape in order to make this possible. The famous draw for the Second Round of the FA Cup will also be taking place before kickoff in what will be a surreal moment in PL5.
Karl Curtis’s side enter the spotlight fresh off their 3-1 victory at home to league leaders Uxbridge. A brilliant team move led to Rocky Neal finding the opener, before Ed Palmer doubled Parkway’s lead with a stunning strike from 30 yards out. However, it was Hayden Turner who took the headlines with his magnificent finish from the half-way line.
Curtis shifted his focus to the FA Cup tie after the victory over Uxbridge saying, “Let’s now as a club, put the league to the side for a week, let’s enjoy it as we have earnt the right, but on Monday we have got a game to win.”
With both teams playing in the same division it is sure to be a close and cagey encounter. Despite Berkhamsted currently sitting in midtable, they are the only other team to beat Uxbridge, after Parkway conquered that feat in midweek.
The Comrades were involved in a draw away at Gloucester on Halloween. Gloucester took a 1-0 lead going into the break, before Berkhamsted turned the game around with two quickfire goals within ten minutes to lead 2-1, with half an hour to play. However in the closing stages Gloucester’s Harry Williams strike shared the points and the Comrades had to settle for a point on the road.
Berkhamsted’s most recent game however took place in the Hertfordshire Senior Challenge Cup. The Comrades pulled off a late winner to advance into the next round through new signing and debutant Godlove Oppong.
After a demanding run of fixtures where Curtis’s side were involved in four fixtures within ten days, the Yellows now have the chance to focus on their historic night. From the twelve points up for grabs, Parkway were only able to take six. However Curtis was content with the points taken, “We had four tough games in terms of the opposition, we would have liked a little bit more, but we will take six from twelve.”
Both sides have enjoyed their respective runs in the cup, with either side producing a cup upset. Parkway’s memorable comeback against National League South side Horsham, being the pick of their run. After being on the losing side the majority of the game, the Yellows produced a quick turnaround with two headed goals in as many minutes. Captain Rio Garside got the equaliser from a Jensen Ireland corner and striker Reece Thomson got on the end of another Ireland corner to score his first goal of the season.
In the final qualifying round of the competition, Berkhamsted were set the challenging task of toppling National League side Southend United away from home.
The Comrades also produced a memorable and dramatic comeback themselves. After Southend took the lead through Lewys Twamley, Berkhamsted’s Luke Andrews responded on the stroke of half-time with a composed finish past the Southend goalkeeper. With all odds against them, the Comrades produced a late winner after Jeffrey Sekyere rose highest from a Mardell-Smith cross, sending Berkhamsted into the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
With both teams entering the first round of the competition for the first time, either side will be looking to become the first Southern League Premier South outfit since AFC Totton in the 2011/12 season to reach the second round of the FA Cup.
Following Berkhamsted’s promotion through the play-offs in the 2024/25 season, they were unable to defeat Parkway in their debut season at Step 3. The Yellows turned around a goal deficit to lead 2-1 through Cruise Nyadzayo and Tylor Love-Holmes, before Charley Barker scored a 90th minute equalizer to share the points.
In the return meeting at Bolitho Park, Parkway produced a dominant home performance to win 2-0. James Watts-Barciela scored the opener and was followed up by Rio Garside as the Yellows kept the points at Bolitho.
On a landmark occasion for the club and with national spotlight on Bolitho Park, it is sure to be an evening to remember.
“Let’s now as a club, put the league to the side for a week, let’s enjoy it as we have earnt the right.” Said the Parkway boss, but he knows “we have got a game to win.” After an impressive victory against top of the league Uxbridge, Parkway take on the biggest game in their history where a sold-out Bolitho Park awaits.
Games don’t get bigger than this. Get behind the boys, represent Parkway with pride and make it a night to remember.
Plymouth Parkway vs Berkhamsted. FA Cup First Round Proper. Live on TNT Sports.
SUPPORTERS' GUIDE
Fixture: Plymouth Parkway vs Bracknell Town
Competition: Southern League Premier South
Venue: Bolitho Park, St Peter’s Road, Plymouth, PL5 3JH
Kick-Off: 3pm
Today’s Match Sponsor: AWR Group Ltd
“A big FA Cup Day gives the players a chance to enjoy a moment they’ve helped make possible. We’re proud to play a small part as the match day sponsor and look forward to backing Parkway for many years to come. Up the Parkway.” Andy Aldred – Director, AWR Group
Matchday Admission
This fixture is Sold Out
Matchday Experience
Make the most of your visit to Bolitho Park by arriving early and enjoying everything on offer around the ground.
The Full Time clubhouse will be open before and throughout the afternoon, serving a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in a welcoming matchday atmosphere.
The Burger Shack will also be open, serving a selection of hot food before kick-off and throughout the match.
Supporters can also visit the Parkway Pop-Up Shop, where a range of official Plymouth Parkway merchandise will be available to purchase, including replica shirts, hats, scarves and other club merchandise.
Getting to Bolitho Park
By Road
Leave the A38 at the Manadon Junction. At the roundabout, take the turning onto St Peter’s Road. Continue for approximately one mile before turning right into the entrance to Bolitho Park.
Official Taxi Partner
Getting to Bolitho Park is even easier with Easy Cars Plymouth, the club’s Official Taxi Partner. Use code PPFC1 when booking through the Easy Cars app to receive 10% off your journey to the game.
Download the App for your smartphone.
Parking
Parking Information CLICK HERE
Round Our Way
If you’re visiting Bolitho Park for the first time or would like to learn more about the football club, watch the Round Our Way documentary series.
Season One: Round Our Way
Season Two: Round Our Way Again
Parkway Partners
