Plymouth Parkway go return to Southern League Premier South action on Tuesday night, and dem get immediate chance to answer back, as Gloucester City go provide opposition for KMM Energy Stadium.
Saturday FA Trophy loss to Bath City cut short Parkway eight-game winning run. But focus don shift firmly back to league, and na campaign wey don see Karl Curtis side remain unbeaten since dem travel to Chippenham Town in August.
The challenge na Gloucester side wey currently dey find life for other end of table. The Tigers dem expect to dey challenge towards top part of division this season, but eight league games don bring just six points, leaving Gloucester for relegation places.
E show very different start to campaign for two clubs, with Parkway currently setting pace at top. That position, however, no dey hide the quality inside Gloucester squad.
First home league win against Hanwell United give encouragement, but consistency don hard to find during opening weeks.
Gloucester most recent league outing end in 5-2 defeat at Malvern Town, even though Tigers take lead, and red card help change course of contest.
Their cup form don show different picture, with Gloucester record FA Cup victory away to National League South opposition AFC Totton before impressive 4-0 FA Trophy win over Stafford Rangers.
There is also plenty recent history between the sides. Over last two seasons, home side don take maximum points in each meeting. Last season, depleted Parkway side under interim manager Stuart Dudley suffer 3-0 defeat, with Joe Hanks and Kane Simpson striking for first half. Earlier for that campaign, however, Parkway don take points at Bolitho Park thanks to Jake Smith last-minute winner in Matchday 3.
There was extraordinary meeting at Bolitho in December 2024 too, when Mitch Beardmore score all six goals as Parkway claim 6-0 victory.
For Parkway, Tuesday provide chance to put Saturday behind dem and return to standards wey don drive impressive opening to league campaign.
Curtis make number of changes for Trophy tie, creating something of selection headache ahead of trip to Gloucester. Joel Sullivan now dey push for start after recent injury absence, while Mikey Williams dey available again after dem rest am at weekend. Rio Garside, Reece Thomson, Jensen Ireland and Rocky Neal also dey available for selection.
For Curtis, there is little value in dwelling on disappointment. ‘Get back on the bike,’ na the message from Parkway boss after Saturday defeat, with attention already turning towards wetin he describe as ‘fantastic fixture’ away at Gloucester.
A response dey required. The league leaders get chance to provide am under lights at KMM Energy Stadium.
