MATCH REPORT: Bracknell Town 3-2 Wimborne Town

Wimborne Town suffered a last minute 3-2 defeat at the hands of Bracknell Town at the SB Stadium on Saturday.

Shae Hutchinson put the hosts in front in the 95th minute after a game of two halves, in which Will Fletcher and Joe Smith had put the Magpies two up in the first 45.

Three second-half goals gave Wimborne their first league defeat since a 1-0 loss away at Walton and Hersham in October.

The suspended Tim Sills, following his dismissal against Sholing, made one change to that draw after fielding a youthful side midweek in the Dorset Senior Cup at Weymouth. Smith came in for Lewis Williams, starting up top with Fletcher.

Bracknell had the first chance of the match after Francis Amartey took a shot inside the box, but it was a comfortable stop for Oscar Abbotson.

Wimborne took the lead in just the eighth minute when a great ball forward from Josh Carmichael found the feet of Fletcher, who cut inside and curled a shot into the top right-hand corner.

Smith nearly doubled the lead nine minutes later after his header met Cam Munn’s cross into the box, however the effort could only be directed wide of the post.

Though, moments later, Smith did find the back of the net. A ball from midfield was flicked on by Fletcher towards his compatriot, who had the time and space for a routine finish to make it 2-0.

Smith then threatened to make it three 13 minutes later, after his shot from close-range was denied by Bracknell stopper, Zaki Oualah, before also glancing a header wide following Max Bustamante’s delivery back into the box.

At the other end of the pitch, Abbotson was called into action to deny the home side after a great save from a Gabe George free-kick.

Early in the second-half, the Magpies almost found a third goal through a defensive mishap from the Robins. Smith saw a shot deflected in the box that ricocheted off a Bracknell defender, hitting the keeper and rolling onto the inside of the far post.

In the 50th minute, Abbotson did well to command his box and punch the ball away towards Giovanni McGregor, who struck a volley at goal that was cleared off the line by Drew Eccott-Young.

Wimborne saw two further chances go a-begging, with Fletcher’s header wide and Joe Ryan’s shot from a tight angle flying past the post.

From then on out, the momentum in the match shifted in the host’s favour. The 58th minute saw them pull a goal back after Sam Jackson’s missed interception gave Amartey the opportunity to carry the ball towards goal, shifting the ball onto his right foot and rifling a shot into the back of the net.

With 20 minutes remaining in the match, the Robins found the equaliser after some great play from George, who back-heeled a pass to Bowerman for an outside of the boot finish into the top corner.

The visitors made their first substitution after the goal, with Williams replacing Smith to freshen up the attack. This was followed by two further changes, with both Burchall and Borges entering the fray.

Bracknell began to pile on the pressure looking for a winner, forcing Abbotson into yet another great save, tipping a strike over the bar.

Academy player, Beau Jenkins, was brought on with only seven to play, giving him some league minutes under his belt.

In the fifth and final minute of added time, a goal-mouth scramble led to Hutchinson being able to poke the ball in and inflict late heartbreak on the Magpies. Despite a strong first-half display, fortunes turned on Wimborne who remain winless in five amid an unfortunate plague of injuries.

Next up is a visit to Havant & Waterlooville on the 20thDecember, in the last match before Christmas, and a huge tie at home to Poole Town on the 27th.

Oscar Abbotson; Drew Eccott-Young, Owen Roundell, Sam Jackson (C), Josh McQuoid; Cam Munn (Beau Jenkins, 88’), Josh Carmichael (Ajani Burchall, 75’); Max Bustamante (Alex Borges, 80’), Joe Ryan, Joe Smith (Lewis Williams, 71’), Will Fletcher

Unused sub: Fin Toghill

Att: 435

Match Report: Euan Thomas