When Saturday comes...
Beaconsfield Town vs Parkway| Match PreviewBy Mike Parrish. Images by Dave Crawford
Plymouth Parkway embarks on their final away trip to the capital, and the stakes couldn’t be any higher as they prepare for a relegation battle-fueled final weekend against Beaconsfield Town.
With Chesham Utd crowned as champions and the playoff places all but confirmed, supporters and followers of clubs from around the Southern Premier League South will be refreshing social media feeds to follow all the twists and turns and dramas as they unfold throughout the afternoon.
Following a grueling schedule, Parkway has finally caught up on a mammoth games-in-hand fixture pile-up and finds themselves 17th in the table, thanks in large part to a fine 3-1 victory over fellow relegation rivals Hayes & Yeading Utd on Wednesday evening.
It was an emotionally fueled night at Bolitho and a must-win game for both sides. Despite United taking the lead, Parkway again found another gear and turned the game around thanks to goals from Dylan Jones, Matt Wright, and Reece Thomson. The win finally moved Parkway out of the relegation zone ahead of the final round of weekend matches.
As fate would have it, the Yellows travel to Beaconsfield Town and Holloways Park, the first ground Parkway visited following promotion to the Southern Premier South last season, and they will be hoping it isn’t the last ground they visit as the season reaches its crescendo.
The Rams are in virtually the same situation as Parkway and sit 18th, a place below Parkway on the same points but with Parkway having a superior goal difference. They will be hoping home advantage plays a part on Saturday but arrive at the fixture having lost three games in a row with defeats to Harrow Borough, Poole Town, and Winchester City.
It is definitely a weekend when the form guide will not make any difference and a draw for both sides might be enough, but as we have seen so often in this competitive league, nothing can be taken for granted.
With Didcot Town and Harrow Borough already condemned to relegation, the final two spots will be contested by 5 teams: Hayes & Yeading Utd, Swindon Supermarine, Beaconsfield Town, Plymouth Parkway, and Hanwell Town.
Hayes & Yeading travel to Bracknell Town with nothing less than 3 points required, Swindon Supermarine, who sit in the final relegation spot and a point behind the Rams and Parkway, face a home game against Winchester City knowing three points are a must. Beaconsfield face Parkway, and Hanwell Town, who could still be dragged into the drop, face a difficult trip to 3rd place Salisbury.
With so many permutations ahead of the weekend fixtures, it is set to be edge-of-your-seat viewing for fans watching this weekend.
Plymouth Parkway would like to thank all the Southern Premier League South clubs we have visited this season for their hospitality and friendly nature. We look forward to the final weekend of the season, and we finally send a big thank you to the traveling away support from the Yellow Army who have been fantastic on the road this season, and a credit to the football club.
Match Info
To be played at Holloways Park, Windsor Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 2SE.
Please note that there is NO SMOKING within the ground.
The Rams clubhouse has a fully licensed bar, and hot food is also available in the ground. Ticket Prices: (Turnstiles open 1:30 pm) Adults £10, Concessions £6, Children U16 Free.
Bar Open 1:00 pm, Hot Food 1:30 pm. Please note we take card only, no cash.
Parkway Partners
