Parkway finally break the Frome hoodoo
Frome Town vs Parkway | Match ReportPlymouth Parkway finally banished the Badgers Hill hoodoo as second-half goals from Rio Garside and Callum Hall secured a 2-0 FA Cup victory over Frome Town and booked Karl Curtis’ side a place in the Third Qualifying Round.
 Frome TownPlymouth Parkway 
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On a rainswept afternoon in Somerset, Parkway produced another performance built on the foundations that have underpinned an impressive opening to the campaign.
There had been plenty going on around the football club during the week, not least the departure of Taylor Scarff to Torquay United, but the response from Curtis, his staff and the players was to let the football do the talking.
Curtis named the same starting XI that had defeated Sholing the previous weekend, while new loan signing Jack Matthews was included among the substitutes.
There was also a landmark appearance for Ryan Brett, who reached 100 appearances for Parkway and would produce a performance befitting the occasion.
Frome represented a different challenge to the one Parkway had overcome in Hampshire seven days earlier. The Robins have made an excellent start since returning to the Southern League Premier South and, on their own patch, they looked every bit the side that had already collected some impressive results this season.
The opening stages were played at a good tempo, with Frome looking to use the conditions to their advantage and testing Parkway with deliveries into the box.
George Dowling was particularly lively for the hosts and, on 27 minutes, he whipped a dangerous corner towards the back post where captain Sam Teale arrived unmarked. The Frome skipper had the time to direct his header towards goal but could not find the target.
Parkway had to weather periods of pressure, but the defensive shape remained excellent. Brett was outstanding at the heart of the defence on his milestone appearance, while Mikey Williams and Toby Down worked tirelessly alongside him as Parkway repeatedly got bodies across the pitch and frustrated a Frome side that had started with plenty of intent.
Karl Curtis had spoken before the game about the need to match what Frome did well and then find a way to be better in every department. For much of the first half, that meant being prepared to suffer without losing their shape.
There were moments when Parkway threatened themselves, and the best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes came from a set piece. Rocky Neal stood over a free kick from around 25 yards and struck it cleanly, the effort flashing just past the near post.
Neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval, but Parkway had given themselves the platform Curtis had wanted.
The second half, however, would bring a change in emphasis. Parkway started with greater attacking intent and were rewarded early.
Rio Garside was played through with time and space in front of him and, with the composure that has become such a feature of his performances, the captain kept his cool to slide the ball beyond Kyle Phillips and put Parkway ahead.
The away end erupted. Frome now had to chase the game, while Parkway sensed an opportunity to put the tie beyond their hosts.
On the hour mark, Rocky Neal was clipped inside the penalty area by Phillips and referee Dylan Bayliss pointed to the spot. Rocky stepped up himself, but his penalty struck the post. For a moment, the momentum threatened to swing.
The home crowd lifted, the opportunity to level the tie had been handed to them and Parkway had every reason to feel that a crucial moment had gone against them.
Instead, the response summed up the mentality that has developed within this Parkway side. There was no panic. No retreat. Parkway simply went again.
The ball was recycled and worked back into the Frome area, where Callum Hall was on hand to finish from inside the box and double the advantage.
Two goals in quick succession had completely changed the complexion of the tie.
For Curtis, the response was every bit as important as the goal itself.
“We just didn’t allow it,” he explained afterwards, reflecting on the penalty miss. “We just got back on, got back to doing what we’re good at and carved the opening to get a second goal.”
Frome continued to work for a route back into the contest, but Parkway were increasingly comfortable.
Both managers made changes as the game entered its final stages, with the prospect of another meeting between the two sides at Bolitho Park on Tuesday already in the background. Curtis was delighted with the contribution of his substitutes, with every player introduced making an impact.
There was also a debut for Jack Matthews, who came on to experience his first competitive minutes in Parkway colours.
The hosts did threaten late on, but Ethan Wright was alert enough to get across and deflect a goal-bound effort away from danger.
That proved to be the final real scare. Parkway saw out the closing stages professionally and, when the final whistle arrived, the significance of the result was clear.
After seven previous meetings without a victory, the Frome hoodoo had finally been broken.
The 2-0 win also made it seven consecutive victories in all competitions, but more importantly, it secured Parkway’s place in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
For a club that has endured plenty of difficult afternoons at Badgers Hill, this was a different chapter entirely.
And perhaps fittingly, on a week when there had been plenty to deal with away from the pitch, Parkway once again allowed the football to provide the answer.
Now attention turns to Tuesday. Frome will make the journey to Bolitho Park for the league meeting between the two sides, with Parkway heading into another encounter with confidence, belief and a growing sense that this group is capable of handling whatever comes next.
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