Parkway look to extend home form in FA Trophy
Parkway v Poole Town | Match PreviewBy Mike Parrish
Plymouth Parkway eye Trophy progress as familiar foes Poole Town return to Bolitho Park on Saturday in the FA Trophy First Round Proper.
After edging past Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police in a 4-3 Devon Bowl win on Tuesday night, Chris McPhee’s side will look to carry that attacking intent into national cup action. Parkway have quietly built a strong home record, unbeaten in five at the Theatre in all competitions. However, the visitors have already enjoyed a standing ovation at Bolitho this season, thanks to a late Josh Staunton header.
The Dolphins make the trip west sitting third in the Southern League table after an impressive start to the campaign. Unbeaten at home and with only two away defeats in nine, they arrive as one of the division’s form sides.
Their midweek 4-1 victory at Taunton Town cemented that status. A match lit up by a hat-trick from in-form striker Shaquille Gwengwe, who now has eight goals in his last five outings. Poole have also posted eye-catching wins this season, including a 6–0 demolition of Weymouth and a dramatic 4-3 triumph at Bracknell sealed in the 96th minute.
While Poole have never advanced beyond the First Round of the FA Trophy, Parkway boast a more memorable recent history in the competition. Their 2021/22 run to the Fourth Round included wins over Dulwich Hamlet, Hampton & Richmond, and Merthyr Town, before falling to National League North side Spennymoor Town.
The sides have met six times in total, with Parkway shading the record: three wins, two draws, and just one defeat, that August reverse.
At Bolitho, Parkway have won three of the four encounters. Saturday, then, offers a chance to restore that home form and affirm Bolitho’s growing reputation as a difficult place to visit.
McPhee is set to recall several senior figures rested in midweek, including Mikey Williams, Ryan Brett, Mack Allan, and Callum Hall. With home league fixtures against Evesham United and Uxbridge looming, selection will be an interesting one for this cup clash.
The FA Trophy may not carry the glamour of its later rounds yet, but for Parkway it represents opportunity and a chance to build on belief and extend their once-famous cup pedigree. On current form, and with Bolitho behind them, there’s every reason to believe the Theatre could stage another big afternoon.
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