One of Those Nights Awaits at the Theatre of Trees
Parkway v Farnham Town | Match PreviewBy Mike Parrish
Parkway return home after a big shift on Saturday afternoon, where Rio Garside’s 49th-minute strike earned an important point on the road against Evesham United and extended Parkway’s mini unbeaten run to four games.
For that run to continue, they must now navigate another demanding evening at the Theatre of Trees, with a tough test in store as play-off chasing Farnham Town travel to PL5.
Interim manager Stuart Dudley was quick to point out after Saturday’s result that this is a fixture Parkway can look forward to. While points remain the only currency that matters at this stage of the season, it is also the type of game that Bolitho Park has become known for, another potential ‘one of those nights’ under the lights.
Saturday’s contest in Worcestershire proved another example of Parkway’s growing resilience. A lacklustre opening period saw Evesham take control and lead through captain Amer Awadh on 22 minutes, leaving the travelling support fearing the worst. But a tactical shift at the break, moving Ryan Brett into midfield, helped change the flow of the contest, and Parkway were rewarded when Rio Garside capitalised on an error to level the scores on 49 minutes. The point leaves Parkway sitting 16th in what remains a tightly congested bottom half of the table.
Attention now turns to one of the most demanding weeks of the season. Tomorrow evening’s visitors Farnham Town arrive sitting second in the table and pushing hard to secure home advantage in the play-off race. The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a difficult evening for Parkway, with Farnham running out 4–0 winners, a result that included a memorable strike from Bobby Taylor and a not so memorable red card for Mikey Williams.
Farnham arrive with strong form behind them. A recent seven-game winning run highlighted their credentials, although they have since been tested, losing a top-of-the-table clash with champions elect Walton & Hersham before dropping points at home to Basingstoke Town last weekend.
With Farnham facing the long midweek journey to Plymouth, Parkway will look to make Bolitho Park an uncomfortable place to visit. With Plymouth Argyle not in action due to the international break, the club will hope the Plymouth public turn out in numbers to create an atmosphere worthy of the occasion, particularly in a week that celebrates non-league football ahead of Non-League Day this weekend.
Parkway will be forced into changes ahead of Tuesday evening’s fixture, with a number of key players unavailable. Rocky Neal, Mitch Beardmore and Mikey Williams will all miss out following recent knocks, while Callum Hall and Ryan Brett have also been ruled out through injury after sustaining issues at the weekend.
Following Tuesday evening’s contest, Parkway must quickly turn their attention to another stern examination, with a trip to third-placed Gloucester City awaiting on Saturday afternoon.
Match Info
Plymouth Parkway vs Farnham Town
Southern League Premier South
Bolitho Park
Tuesday, March 24 (7:45pm)
Gates open from 6pm
Pay on the gate option available
Adult: £13
Concession: £11
Under 16’s: £8
Under 10’s: Free with paying adult.
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