MATCH PREVIEW: Wimborne Town vs Yate Town
For the first eight seasons of Wimborne’s time in the Southern League, Yate Town were one of our five constant companions in Division One. (Can you name the other four? – answer below.)
Since then, although we’ve trodden different paths, there’s been a number of similarities:
- At the end of the 2017-18 season Wimborne were promoted to the Premier South. The following season, Yate earned promotion too.
- At the end of the 2021-22 season Wimborne were relegated from Premier South. The following season Yate were relegated too.
- A couple of months into the 2022-23 season Wimborne brought in manager Tim Sills. A couple of months into the following season, Yate brought in manager Darren Mullings.
- At the end of the 2023-24 season, in the new manager’s first full season, Wimborne were crowned Division One champions and promoted. The following season, in their new manager’s first full season, Yate were crowned Division One champions and promoted too.
But how have Yate fared in this campaign? Mullings brought in plenty of experience in the summer on the club’s return to Step 3, notably striker Marlon Jackson and midfielders Dayle Grubb and Rex Mannings. There’s quite a difference in league results between home and away for his team. At Lodge Road, the Bluebells are undefeated in six, having beaten Tiverton (2-1), Plymouth Parkway (2-1), and drawn with Berkhamsted (0-0) in their last three. But it’s a completely different story on their away days where they’ve totalled “nil points” from their five games – most recently 0-2 at Dorchester, and 2-4 at Basingstoke. All that leaves them sitting 16th with a W2 D4 L5 GF 9 GA 17 record. And Yate fell at the first hurdle in both of the FA competitions: 2-3 at home to Westbury in an FA Cup replay; and last Saturday 1-2 at home to Poole in the Trophy. With injuries and players leaving, manager Mullings has continued to recruit bringing in Oli Jenkins on loan from Weston, who scored the winner against Parkway, Aaron Evans-Harriott who scored on his debut at Basingstoke, and, most recently, Alex Monks from Hungerford.
Wimborne’s league form also varies home and away. At the Wyatt Homes Stadium they’re undefeated having won three, most recently 3-2 over Plymouth Parkway when Lewis Williams, Will Fletcher and Joe Smith scored, and drawn two. On their travels, a win at Berkhamsted, a draw at Farnham, and three defeats, most recently 0-1 at Walton and Hersham on Saturday when skipper Sam Jackson played his 100th game for us. Wimborne are now 8th with a W4 D3 L3 GF 16 GA 12 record. Joe Ryan and Seuny will be missing on Tuesday through injury, but Josh Carmichael will be available again.
Yate have visited Wimborne eleven times in the Southern League; so far The Magpies have won six, The Bluebells four, with one draw.
We look forward to welcoming everyone involved with Yate, a well-run club with great people. Matches under the floodlights create a special atmosphere, and this will be another.
Match Info
- As there's limited parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, if you can travel by bus, bike, or on foot it would be really helpful. However, if you do decide to travel by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.
- The Morebus no.13 runs along Leigh Road from and to The Square in the town centre with stops at the bottom of Parmiter Road, a five-minute stroll from the ground.
- There is a bike park near the players' entrance.
- A packed printed programme will be on sale.
- Admission: Adults £14, concessions £8, U18s £5, U13s £2.
- Weather forecast: Cloudy; 14oC; <5% chance of rain.
The other 4 teams were Bishops Cleeve, Mangotsfield Utd, North Leigh, and Taunton Town.
