Plymouth Parkway welcome Chertsey Town with a spot in round one up for grabs

The magic of the FA Cup makes a return to Bolitho Park this weekend, as Plymouth Parkway welcome Chertsey Town in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup.

After a superb comeback victory against National League South side Horsham FC in the previous round, Parkway are now just a single victory away from entering the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

It will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, as both teams battle in the top half of the Southern League Premier South, as Parkway sit in second, whilst Chertsey are currently seven points behind the Yellows in eighth.

The away side started their campaign well, taking ten points from twelve before their form took a turn. The Curfews claimed one league win from their next seven games, which was a 5-0 thumping at home to Malvern Town who currently sit bottom of the division. Elsewhere Karl Curtis’s side are enjoying life near the top of the table with seven wins from eleven games whilst also having the best goal difference in the league.

After suffering defeat in West Sussex at the weekend, Parkway got back to winning ways and made the perfect start to the week, as they defeated Wimborne Town under the lights at Bolitho. Callum Hall opened the scoring after some brilliant work from Henry Donovan and Rocky Neal, before a bit of magic from Wimborne pinned the Yellows back just before half-time.

With five minutes left on the clock, captain Rio Garside put a magnificent free-kick into the box, where Toby Down had risen highest. The defender made no mistake as his header found the top corner, a crucial goal for Parkway as three points boosted them up to second in the league and ended Wimborne’s impressive unbeaten run.

Parkway boss Karl Curtis looked ahead to Saturday after the win against Wimborne, stressing how the hard work needs to continue into the weekend. “We get to work tomorrow, whatever the outcome, will be the outcome, but let's embrace it as a whole club and enjoy the occasion.”

Chertsey on the other hand shared the points away at Hanwell Town in the week. After going behind early on in the first-half , the Curfews responded a minute before the interval. After Dan Berry was fouled on the edge of the box, Conor Lee stepped up and fired the ball home, giving Chertsey the equaliser. But that was all Chertsey could manage as they were held to a draw against the Geordies.

To begin their FA cup campaign, the Curfews were taken to a replay against Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton, who they overcame 2-1, before surviving a late scare from AFC Greenwich Borough who came from 3-0 down to eventually lose 3-2 in a thrilling contest, where Chertsey kept their cool to advance into the next round. This win earned Chertsey a trip to Sheppey United. A calm and collected away performance followed as Chertsey ran out 2-0 winners earning themselves a trip to PL5.

Meanwhile Parkway travelled away from home in the first two qualifying rounds and produced two disciplined performances on the road. Victories against same league opposition Gosport Borough (3-1) and Frome Town (2-0) earned the Yellows a tough home draw against National League South side Horsham FC.

An unforgettable afternoon at Bolitho followed as Parkway scored two goals in as many minutes to come from a goal down to defeat Horsham 2-1. Two perfect corners from Jensen Ireland found the heads of captain Rio Garside and Reece Thomson sent Parkway into the final qualifying round, much to the delight of the Parkway faithful.

The Yellows have enjoyed their fair share of results against the Curfews, with Parkway winning three out of the last four games, two of those coming at Bolitho.

The last meeting between the sides came in March, as Parkway enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 victory. Goals from Tylor Love-Holmes, Mitch Beardmore and Callum Hall meant The Yellows took a 3-0 lead with half an hour remaining. Bradley Wilson gave Chertsey a late consolation as Parkway took the points, seven months ago. The other win at Bolitho in February of 2025, brought late drama, as Tylor Love-Holmes’s winner in stoppage time sent The Curfews back to Surrey empty handed.

A place in the first round of England’s most prestigious competition is up for grabs. A place neither side has been to before. Pack the park this weekend. “Enjoy the occasion” was the message from the Parkway Boss, as he and his players look to stamp themselves into Plymouth Parkway history.