No Time to Coast
The Preview: Parkway vs Poole TownBy Mike Parrish
Just 48 hours after securing their first away victory of the season at Evesham United, Plymouth Parkway return to Bolitho Park on Bank Holiday Monday for the second half of a demanding weekend, with Poole Town providing the opposition.
It is the sort of weekend that can test more than just a team’s ability on the pitch. Recovery, squad depth and the capacity to maintain standards with little time between fixtures all come into play, with Karl Curtis’ side looking to finish the Bank Holiday weekend in the same fashion it began.
Parkway’s 3-1 victory at Evesham on Saturday moved them to second in the Southern Premier League South with 10 points from five matches. It was another example of a side finding a way to win even when the performance was not at its most fluent, with Joel Sullivan opening the scoring before Rocky Neal added twice, including a spectacular long-range lob that has already become one of the standout moments of the young season.
Rocky’s second goal of the afternoon also took his tally to six in five games, underlining the early impact the striker has made since the start of the campaign. More importantly, however, Parkway now have three wins from their opening five matches and have already demonstrated an ability to win games in contrasting ways.
Poole arrive in Devon with nine points from their opening five matches after beating Yate Town 2-1 on Saturday. Ezio Touray and Ik Hill were on target in that victory, which moved the Dolphins into eighth place.
The visitors have produced some interesting contrasts of their own. Their away form has been particularly productive, with five goals scored across two road fixtures, while their home record had seen them fail to find the net before Saturday’s victory over Yate.
There are several players capable of causing Parkway problems.
Ezio Touray is enjoying his second spell with Poole after previously coming through the academies at Chievo Verona and Reading. The forward has also experienced Step 2 football with Chippenham Town and Weymouth and scored 12 goals in 27 appearances during his first season with the Dolphins.
Ik Hill provides another significant attacking threat. Signed from Winchester in the summer of 2025, Hill produced 31 goal contributions in 45 appearances last season, including 22 goals, despite Winchester ultimately suffering relegation.
Ryan Campbell offers a different type of threat from an attacking left-back position. The former Chippenham Town and Swindon Supermarine player has 53 goals across nine seasons and has previously captained Swindon Supermarine.
History suggests there is very little between these sides. The clubs have met nine times, with the previous encounters producing three Parkway victories, three Poole wins and two draws according to the available fixture record. The sides also met at Bolitho in the FA Trophy last season, drawing 1-1 before Parkway prevailed on penalties.
The league meeting at Bolitho last season will still be fresh in the memory, with Poole claiming a 1-0 victory through Josh Staunton’s 85th-minute header.
Curtis will have to make at least one change on Monday. Taylor Scarff remains unavailable, while goalkeeper Aaron Dearing is away, paving the way for Leo McCormick to make his first competitive start for Parkway.
It makes squad management particularly important after Saturday’s exertions. Parkway were able to make changes during the closing stages at Evesham with Monday already in mind, but the demands of two matches in three days will now be felt across the squad.
For all the talk of the quick turnaround, however, the opportunity is a positive one.
Parkway have started the season strongly, remain unbeaten at Bolitho Park and head into Monday’s fixture sitting second in the table. Poole arrive with confidence of their own after Saturday’s victory, setting up another competitive afternoon in PL5.
The Bank Holiday weekend began on the road.
Now it finishes at home.
And with the Dolphins in town, there is no time to coast.
SUPPORTERS' GUIDE
Fixture: Plymouth Parkway vs Poole Town
Competition: Southern League Premier South
Venue: Bolitho Park, St Peter’s Road, Plymouth, PL5 3JH
Kick-Off: 3pm
Today’s Match Sponsor: AWR Group Ltd.
The bank holiday fixture is kindly sponsored by Andy and the team at AWR Group. Thank you for your continued support.
Matchday Admission
Family Matchday Ticket (2 Adults, 2 Children Under 16) £30
Family Matchday Ticket (1 Adult, 2 Children Under 16) £20
Adult Matchday Admission £14
Concession Matchday Admission £12
Under 16 (accompanied by a paying Adult) £5
Under 10 (accompanied by a paying Adult) Free
Match Tickets
Supporters can purchase tickets in advance by Fanbase.
Ticket Link via Fanbase HERE
Gates Open from:
Saturday & Bank Holiday Monday fixtures: 12:30pm
Tuesday evening fixtures: 6:00pm
Supporters are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the build-up to kick-off.
Matchday Experience
Make the most of your visit to Bolitho Park by arriving early and enjoying everything on offer around the ground.
The Full Time clubhouse will be open before and throughout the afternoon, serving a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in a welcoming matchday atmosphere.
The Burger Shack will also be open, serving a selection of hot food before kick-off and throughout the match.
Supporters can also visit the Parkway Pop-Up Shop, where a range of official Plymouth Parkway merchandise will be available to purchase, including replica shirts, hats, scarves and other club merchandise.
Getting to Bolitho Park
By Road
Leave the A38 at the Manadon Junction. At the roundabout, take the turning onto St Peter’s Road. Continue for approximately one mile before turning right into the entrance to Bolitho Park.
Official Taxi Partner
Getting to Bolitho Park is even easier with Easy Cars Plymouth, the club’s Official Taxi Partner. Use code PPFC1 when booking through the Easy Cars app to receive 10% off your journey to the game.
Download the App for your smartphone.
Parking
Parking Information and Booking CLICK HERE
Round Our Way
If you’re visiting Bolitho Park for the first time or would like to learn more about the football club, watch the Round Our Way documentary series.
Season One: Round Our Way
Season Two: Round Our Way Again
Parkway Partners
