MATCH PREVIEW: Wimborne Town vs Poole Town
Back in April, the pecking order among Dorset’s top non-league teams was:
- Step 2 – National South – Weymouth
- Step 3 – Southern League Premier South: 5thDorchester, 10th Wimborne, 14th Poole.
Fast forward eight months, and the order has been completely reversed:
- Step 3 – S.L. Prem South: 3rd Poole, 8thWimborne, 19th Dorchester, 21st Weymouth.
This season Poole and Wimborne have both defeated Dorchester and Weymouth in the league without conceding a goal, and, for good measure, Wimborne knocked The Terras out of the FA Trophy, again without conceding. So Saturday’s “El Stourco” derby will show us which team really is “The Pride of Dorset” – well, for now at least!
Poole’s joint managers Joe Lea and Pat Suraci recruited well in the summer, and have the Dolphins leading the chase after Walton & Hersham and Gloucester at the top of the table. A star signing was Shaquille Gwengwe from Dorchester – the striker is the division’s leading scorer, and has found the net an impressive 24 times in his 25 league and cup appearances. In the league, goalkeeper Adam Parkes, defender Ryan Campbell, midfielders Kris Campbell and Harvey Slade, and striker Ik Hill have all been ever-present for Poole.
Until Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Sholing at Tatnam, The Dolphins were six games unbeaten in the league: Basingstoke (1-0 h), Tiverton (5-5 h), Berkhamsted (2-1 a), Walton & Hersham (2-2 h), Havant & Waterlooville (3-0 a), and Uxbridge (3-1 h). Those results have lifted them to third in the table with a W12 D5 L5 GF 44 GA 28 record; away from Tatnam their record is W6 D1 L3, third best in the division. They have only failed to score in three of their 22 league games in this campaign.
Wimborne’s rise into the division’s top ten has been built on their undefeated record at The Wyatt Homes Stadium – W6 D4 L0. The last three home games were all against teams challenging for a play-off spot: Gosport (1-0), Gloucester (2-2), and Sholing (1-1). Nine of Tim Sills’ squad have scored at least two league goals, with Joe Smith (eight) and Will Fletcher (seven) leading the way. However, long-term injuries to Cam Plain, Sam Roberts, Ben Scorey and Seuny have depleted The Magpies’ squad, so the recent signing of defender Tyler Edmondson from Bashley, and the loan signing of goalkeeper Bastian Smith from Peterborough have been very welcome additions. However, their debuts for The Magpies ended in a disappointing 4-0 loss at Havant on Saturday.
In 2024-25 it was “honours even” between Poole and Wimborne, both winning their home game 1-0, with goals by Charlie Davis in August and a Jamie Whisken own goal in February, in front of a combined attendance of 3,709.
The record attendance at New Cuthbury – 2,307 vs Frome in April 2024 – could well be broken at this much-awaited festive fixture. Please read, and follow, the match information on the Club’s website: https://wimbornetownfc.co.uk/2025/12/match-info-wimborne-town-vs-poole-town/
Last Christmas, The Dolphins drew 1-1 at home with Dorchester, while The Magpies won 1-0 at Sholing. If you’re visiting the area, why not stay another day and see which player claims “That’s my goal” to give their boss a perfect Christmas present.
The scene is set for a festive feast of fabulous footie between two well-supported teams. So don’t be lonely this Christmas, give that festive jumper another airing, munch on a mouthful of mince pie, although personally I love sausage rolls, and come on down to the Wyatt Homes Stadium to watch what’s likely to be a Christmas cracker of a game between two proper footballing sides. After all, it’s what a Saturday afternoon on the day following Boxing Day was made for!
Match Info:
- All match info can be found HERE
- 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.
Merry Christmas everyone! There’s seven Christmas no.1 song titles included in this preview. Did you spot them all?
