MATCH REPORT: Wimborne Town 0-1 Farnham Town

Wimborne Town left the Wyatt Homes Stadium empty handed after their narrow 1-0 defeat to high-flying Farnham on Good Friday.

The Magpies went into this one with confidence after their dramatic three-goal-turnaround at Uxbridge last Saturday, and would have hoped to build on it against Farnham.

When Wimborne faced Farnham early on this season, the Magpies earned a point away from home in what could, have and maybe should, have been more after ‘The Town’ were awarded a late penalty to equalise in stoppage time.

Tim Sills stuck with the two-striker formation, which seemingly made the difference at Uxbridge, with Will Fletcher and Rafa Ramos leading the line, with Ethan Sills and Oscar Abbotson also returning to the lineup. Seung-Woo Yang also returned to the bench for the first time in six months, after rupturing his PCL in Wimborne’s FA Cup victory against Bath City in September.

The hosts started the stronger, creating a few promising chances early on and looking the likelier to break the deadlock, with Ramos, Sills and Cam Munn all going close and testing Michael Eacott. Sills in particular came incredibly close, when his free kick from just outside the 18-yard box soared just wide.

‘The Town’ started to play their way back into the game on the stroke of half time, showing their class which sees them sitting in the playoff places. Wimborne, however, had matched this quality in the first half, and looked the likelier to make one of their many chances count.

Abbotson made a phenomenal double stop just before the whistle to preserve a 0-0 scoreline at the break; at full stretch to parry away a header, before sprawling at the feet to deny an almost certain tap-in.

Ramos came close to converting early into the second half, when Bustamante’s cross bobbled to his path, but his shot was fired over.

The Magpies would regret their missed opportunities, when against the run of play, Farnham found the eventual winner in the 66th minute. Clifford picked up the ball outside the box, took a quick burst forward before curling a whipped shot into the top right corner. It was a fantastic strike, the third time in three games where the Magpies have conceded to some sort of ‘wonder goal’ which may leave the Magpies scratching their heads, after what else have been very positive performances.

The largest cheer of the afternoon was for Seung-Woo Yang’s return off the bench, who made an impressive cameo appearance in his 15-minute return.

The Magpies had two very late chances to level things up, with the first attempt being a Lewis Williams free kick, which was tipped round the post by Eacott and out for a corner. Just moments from time, the following Williams’ corner found Sam Jackson at the back post, whose effort was tipped brilliantly on to the post, and all but confirmed a frustrating afternoon of missed chances.

Wimborne now sit five points clear of the drop zone, with five games left to play and will be aiming to convert some of the many chances they are creating. Next up for the Magpies is the short trip to rivals Poole Town on Easter Monday, in what should be a great watch with both sides needing three points at either side of the table.

MAGPIES XI: Abbotson; Thomas, Walker (Yang 78'), Edmondson (Ryan 86'), Jackson; Carmichael (Williams 74'), Munn, Sills (Burchall 74') Bustamante (Eccott-Young 67'); Fletcher, Ramos. 

Match Report: Tom Whittick

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