Parkway Must Turn Bolitho into a Fortress!
Parkway v Frome Town | Match PreviewBy Mike Parrish
Plymouth Parkway will aim to put league frustrations behind them when the FA Cup returns to Bolitho Park on Saturday, with old nemesis Frome Town standing in the way.
Parkway were left kicking themselves on Monday as a late Poole Town strike snatched victory and condemned the Yellows to another frustrating afternoon. It means Parkway have just four points from their opening five league games, despite leading in matches and dominating for large parts of games.
But club legend Mikey Williams, now in his ninth season, insists there are reasons to stay positive.
“We’ve been disappointed not to turn leads into wins,” he admitted. “But four points from five games is better than we’ve managed at this level before. We need to make Bolitho a fortress and take care of our home matches.”
That message will ring loud and clear against Frome; a side Parkway have never beaten. The Robins arrive full of confidence after three wins from three to start their campaign, and Williams knows exactly what to expect.
“They’re a tough match-up for us,” he said. “They work hard, they’ve got players who can hurt you, and they believe they’ve cracked our possession football. It’s up to us to find a way to hurt them.”
Last season Parkway enjoyed their best-ever FA Cup run, battling through to the fourth qualifying round before bowing out at home to Worthing. Along the way, a memorable 3rd round trip to Sittingbourne carved a slice of club history.
“It was special to make history last year,” Williams said. “The FA Cup hasn’t been great for us as a club in the past, but we’re keen to put that right. Everyone loves a cup run.”
For the Wizard, the competition carries extra magic. As a boy he was in Cardiff for the 2001 final, watching his hero Michael Owen score twice to stun Arsenal and lift the trophy for Liverpool. That memory adds to his belief that Parkway can write their own chapter.
“If we can get to the First Round proper, it would be massive. It’s something this club has never done, and with a few favourable draws, I believe this squad is more than capable of it.”
With Plymouth Argyle joining in the First Round, the tantalising prospect of a city derby lingers. But for Parkway, the dream can only stay alive if they finally crack the code against Frome.
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