MATCH REPORT: Wimborne Town 0-0 Tiverton Town

Wimborne Town shared the points with Tiverton Town in a 0-0 stalemate at the Wyatt Homes Stadium on Saturday.

Despite a dominant second-half for the hosts, the Magpies were unable to break down a staunch Tivvy defence.

Debutant Ethan Sills, son of manager Tim, had Wimborne’s best chance of the match after striking the post, with Tiverton going closest themselves after a shot inside the box was denied by a superb stop from Oscar Abbotson with only seven minutes gone.

There were two changes made from the 3-2 loss away at Plymouth Parkway on Tuesday night, with Tyler Edmondson coming in for Sam Roberts and Will Fletcher replacing Lewis Williams.

The Devon outfit, sitting rock-bottom of the table, started the game the better side, with Karim Coulibaly’s close-range effort saved by the glove of Abbotson.

Tiverton continued their pressure in the opening stages, with Jacob Wellington forcing Abbotson again into action, this time with a double save to keep the game level.

Wimborne responded with a chance of their own, Sam Jackson hitting a right-footed volley that fizzed just past the post.

Moments later, a long throw from Owen Roundell picked out Fletcher who, with his back to goal, worked a shooting angle and tested John Ross in the Tivvy goal.

Fletcher found himself with another opportunity 15 minutes later after intercepting a back pass and holding up the ball, before firing a low shot that was comfortably stopped.

As the match edged towards the break, Josh Carmichael won the ball high up the pitch and cut inside to Cam Munn who turned past a defender and opened up space for a shot that went inches wide of the post.

Just before half-time, Owen Roundell looked to have landed awkwardly from a challenge which meant he couldn’t continue and was replaced by debutant Sills.

Wimborne continued their dominance of proceedings into the second 45, with Billy Walker powering a diving header towards goal that was saved well, before the visiting stopper denied Sills from distance.

In the 55th minute, Sills was involved again, dribbling brilliantly past three Tiverton players and then unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box that clattered against the post.

Substitute Williams was next to go close, his shot from outside the box was saved by Ross before Jackson headed over from a whipped cross.

The Magpies hit the woodwork for a second time in the 63rd minute after a delivery into the box from Harry Thomas was flicked on by Fletcher and hit the outside of the post.

With full-time steadily approaching, there were a barrage of Wimborne corners that threatened to break the deadlock, notably with Walker getting on the end of a scramble, but Tivvy able to clear away to safety.

The last chance to grab all three points for the Magpies came the way of Fletcher who got on the end of Jackson’s tempting cross and looped a header that was ultimately claimed by the Tiverton stopper.

As the referee’s whistle sounded, it confirmed a frustrating result against a valiant Tiverton side. Next up for the Magpies is a return to the Wyatt Homes Stadium on Tuesday to welcome league leaders Walton & Hersham.

Wimborne XI: Oscar Abbotson; Sam Jackson, Billy Walker, Tyler Edmondson; Owen Roundell (Ethan Sills, 45+6’), Josh Carmichael, Harry Thomas, Cam Munn; Ajani Burchall (Lewis Williams, 53’), Will Fletcher, Max Bustamante (Joe Ryan, 69’)

Unused Subs: Drew Eccott-Young, Sam Roberts

Match Report: Euan Thomas