Plymouth Parkway had never played in the FA Cup first round proper before this season. On November 9, 2026, at Bolitho Park in Plymouth, they went a step further: two penalties from Andrew ‘Rocky’ Neal secured a 2-1 extra-time victory over Berkhamsted and the club’s first appearance in the second round.
The unusual part is the speed of that breakthrough. Parkway have turned their first visit to one stage into an immediate place in the next. As the Football Association’s official report confirms, both clubs were making their first appearances in the first round proper. One debutant’s adventure therefore had to continue at the other’s expense.
Two kicks that changed the tie
These were fellow seventh-tier teams, rather than a professional giant and an obscure challenger. Berkhamsted struck first through Luke Andrews shortly after half-time. Parkway then had to rescue the match before they could think about making history, and Neal supplied the equaliser from the penalty spot in the second half.
The scores remained level after 90 minutes, as South West Sports News’ independent result records. Extra time brought another penalty for Parkway, and Neal converted again. His first successful kick had removed the deficit; his second created the lead that ultimately carried the hosts into unfamiliar territory.
A familiar scorer on a new stage
Neal was 33, bringing experience to a night when the club itself was discovering something new. BBC Sport’s report by Brent Pilnick confirms both his age and the two-penalty contribution. The result gave a seasoned non-league striker another major occasion to place alongside his earlier achievements with Truro City.
His official Parkway profile describes an experienced striker whose route through South West football included Truro City. BBC’s account also traces his contribution to Truro’s climb to the National League. That background gives the cup result another dimension: Parkway were setting a new club benchmark, while their scorer was adding to an established career in the regional game.
Barnet are next
Parkway’s reward is a home tie against League Two Barnet. The FA, BBC and the regional result all confirm that pairing. It gives the seventh-tier side another occasion at their own ground, this time against opposition from the fourth tier, with a place in the third round at stake.
That next hurdle still has to be cleared. Monday’s achievement stands on its own: Parkway entered their first first-round tie, fell behind, recovered and won it in extra time. Two conversions from the same spot turned a threatened exit into a second historic first within the same cup campaign.
Sources and further reading
- The FA: official match report, November 9
- BBC Sport / Yahoo: Brent Pilnick on Neal and Parkway
- South West Sports News: Ross Reid’s final result
- Plymouth Parkway: official Rocky Neal profile
