PARKWAY’S TROPHY RUN ENDS AT CONFIDENT CHATHAM
Chatham Town v Parkway | Match ReportAfter a gruelling, stop-start journey on Friday, Plymouth Parkway arrived in Kent on the eve of their FA Trophy Third Round Proper tie knowing a significant test awaited. A short hop to the Bauvill Stadium followed on Saturday afternoon, but there were no shortcuts against a Chatham Town side flying high in third place in the Isthmian Premier and carrying the confidence of a club growing rapidly in all areas.
 Chatham TownPlymouth Parkway 
3 - 0Full Time |
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Chris McPhee was bold in his selection. New signing and Exeter City scholar Louie Cayless was handed a debut at right-back, while Isaac Finch was trusted between the posts on loan for his first outing in Parkway colours. There were welcome returns for Rocky Neal, Mikey Williams and Taylor Scarff, but one notable omission raised eyebrows as James Watts-Barciela dropped to the bench.
On a crisp winter’s afternoon, played out on a pristine 3G surface, Parkway set out hoping to write their name into the Fourth Round and equal the club’s best-ever FA Trophy run. They were met by a lively home atmosphere, driven by an enthusiastic announcer and relentless drumbeat.
Finch was involved early, confidently claiming a short corner routine inside three minutes to settle any nerves, and the opening exchanges were typically cagey as both sides sized each other up. But it was Chatham who began to impose themselves, their high front three pressing aggressively, with Matt Macarthur particularly lively in the early stages.
The first ten minutes passed without major incident, Parkway content to sit compact and circulate possession where possible, but the hosts carried the greater threat. Parkway enjoyed a promising spell down the right that led to the game’s first big talking point when Rocky appeared to be bundled over in the box, only for the referee to wave away strong appeals. Moments later, Carlo Garside tested Nathan Harvey from range, the Chatham keeper saving well low to his right.
At the other end, Finch was again called into action, producing a smart save with his feet to deny Kasim Aidoo. Then came a glimpse of quality Parkway supporters know well. On 20 minutes, Mikey Williams slipped into “magic mode”, gliding past two challenges before teeing up Rio Garside, whose effort flashed narrowly wide.
That chance proved costly. Two minutes later, Chatham struck. Macarthur was afforded too much space inside the area and the striker made no mistake, picking his spot to give the Chats a deserved lead. Buoyed by the goal and the energy from the stands, Chatham enjoyed a strong spell, and Parkway were forced to dig in.
Neal increasingly cut a frustrated figure up top, isolated for long stretches, a familiar theme for Parkway forwards in recent weeks, and when the visitors did earn set-piece opportunities, they were dealt with comfortably. Still, Parkway stuck to their task, worked hard without the ball, and ensured they went into the break only one goal adrift.
Parkway returned unchanged for the second half, but any hopes of growing into the contest were dashed almost immediately. An effort from distance was parried by Finch, and Tobe Fadahunsi reacted quickest to convert the rebound from close range, leaving Parkway with a mountain to climb.
Frustration began to creep in. Neal was booked for a reckless challenge born more of irritation than intent, a reflection of a side struggling to gain any sustained foothold in the final third. Chatham continued to impress, their movement and confidence stretching a Parkway back line that began to look increasingly ragged.
McPhee waited before rolling the dice, but with the hosts in full control, the sense grew that a third goal would end the contest. On 65 minutes, change finally came as Watts-Barciela replaced skipper Rio Garside, but it was Chatham who continued to dominate, Sam Richardson going close to adding a third soon after.
Parkway were then forced into a second alteration on 70 minutes when Will Sullivan failed to recover from a knock, Farren Simons entering the fray. The game appeared beyond reach, but the question remained whether Parkway could muster one last push in the closing stages.
There were at least individual positives. Finch grew into the afternoon and looked assured on debut, Cayless impressed with a composed display at right-back, and Carlo Garside produced a typically honest, hard-working performance in midfield. But collectively, the gulf in confidence and cohesion was clear. Chatham were well-drilled, purposeful, and clinical when it mattered; Parkway worked tirelessly but lacked the attacking fluency to trouble the hosts consistently.
In a final roll of the dice, McPhee pushed centre-back Jack Veale forward for the last ten minutes, yet even then the closing stages passed largely without alarm for the home side. For the travelling Parkway supporters, frustration lingered, not so much at the exit itself, but at how little opportunity there was to apply late pressure.
Ben Allen added a third with a superb strike from 20 yards as Parkway exited the Trophy in difficult fashion.
For Chatham, the final whistle confirmed a landmark moment as they reached the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history. For Parkway, the end of an encouraging cup run stings less than the wider questions it leaves behind. Away from home, the struggle to impose themselves and create sustained attacking threat remains. With demanding trips to Weymouth and Farnham on the horizon, Parkway know they must find answers, and quickly, if they are to change the narrative on the road.
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