Parkway vs Worthing 
FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round 
Saturday, October 12 
Bolitho Park – 3pm KO

After a 3-0 win over Sittingbourne in the third-qualifying round of this season’s FA Cup, the stage is set this weekend for another slice of Parkway club history as National League South side Worthing make the trip to Bolitho Park for Parkway’s first ever fixture in the fourth qualifying round of the oldest cup competition in the world.

Putting league form aside, Chris McPhee’s side have been faultless in cup duties this season and last weekend, the Yellows booked their place in the first-round proper of this season’s FA Trophy competition with a 3-2 victory against Banbury United at Bolitho Park – and following the draw, will now face Isthmian Premier League outfit Chichester City at Bolitho Park.

For now, all eyes are now firmly set on Saturday’s FA Cup fixture as both sides know a win will see them safely through to a potential lucrative money-spinning first-round proper cup tie.

National League South side Worthing will travel to Bolitho Park as heavy favourites and have already defeated one Southern Premier League South side in the second qualifying round with a 3-2 victory over Havant and Waterlooville. Chris Agutter’s men followed that win with a fine 3-1 win over league rivals Dartford in the third qualifying round, setting up their trip to PL5.

Worthing currently sit 10th in a very competitive National League South Division with 16 points from 10 games. Heading to Plymouth, the rebels were left frustrated last Saturday following a home league defeat to Maidstone but showed a fine reaction in midweek with a resilient 1-0 home win against 19th placed Welling United.

Worthing can reach the first-round proper for the second season in a row and following the victory over Welling, manager Chris Agutter understands his team are not at their best but has challenged his players to put in a performance and put their name in the hat for the next round.

In previous FA Cup rounds this season, Parkway have gone into each fixture as favourites and this weekend will see the Yellows as heavy underdogs against higher league opposition but do have home advantage and over the years, Bolitho Park has witnessed some special cup days. Wins in the FA Trophy against National League sides Hampton & Richmond Borough and Dulwich Hamlet still live long in the memory, and two seasons ago, Oxford City were pushed to extra time before eventually prevailing at Bolitho.

It’s been a busy time leading up to the fixture for Macca’s men. On-loan GK Ewan Griffiths has been called up to the Wales Under 19’s squad this week. Mikey Williams remains a doubt after picking up an injury last weekend against Banbury United, and once again, Alex Cairo and Carlo Garside will face late fitness tests.