MATCH REPORT: Poole Town 1-2 Wimborne Town

It was derby day delight as Wimborne Town beat play-off chasing local rivals Poole Town 2-1 at Tatnam Stadium on Easter Monday.

Two first-half goals from Sam Roberts and Ethan Sills ensured the Magpies claimed all three points, and a first away win in the league since a 2-0 win over Dorchester Town in October. Jamie Whisken pulled a goal back for the Dolphins in injury time, but Wimborne’s defence stood firm and atoned for the 2-0 defeat suffered against Poole at home in December.

Manager Tim Sills made only one change from the narrow loss against Farnham on Good Friday, with the injured Billy Walker making way for Roberts. Joe Smith returned to the bench after a month out with a hamstring injury.

The Magpies made a strong start to the match, with Rafa Ramos getting the first chance after his shot was fired straight at Adam Parkes in the Poole goal.

The hosts thought they had found the lead in the 11th minute after a ball was played across goal by Billy Lowes for Shaquille Gwengwe to poke in, but the linesman flagged for offside.

Moments after, Max Bustamante dribbled well down the right-hand-side and finished off with a shot towards goal that forced a corner, the resulting delivery was headed just over by Roberts. Four minutes later, Cam Munn picked up the ball on the edge of the box and turned to beat two Poole defenders before firing his effort over the bar.

The home side responded with a break down the left and a shot that flew just wide of the far post, a sign of the threat the Dolphins still offered despite most of the football being played in their half. Will Fletcher then had a chance of his own after unleashing a curled shot that flew wide.

Twenty five minutes in, Wimborne had a huge chance to take the lead after Bustamante had more joy on the right wing, getting the better of his man again and putting in a good pass to Ramos who couldn’t get proper contact on the shot, as the ball sailed away.

Two more opportunities came the visitors’ way in the ten minutes that followed, with Munn testing Parkes for a second time and Ramos seeing his shot at goal blocked well by a Poole defender.

The deadlock was deservedly broken in the 40th minute after a corner from Sills was initially flicked on by Roberts but hooked clear by Harvey Slade, the ball was put back in and headed onto the bar by Ramos before falling to Roberts who fired a volley low into the back of the net.

Things got even better for the Magpies only two minutes later as Roberts launched a ball forward towards Sam Jackson on the left, who pulled the ball back into the box and was missed by Ramos but curled into the bottom left-hand corner by Sills for his first Wimborne goal.

After a jubilant five minutes, Abbotson made a fantastic save right at the end of the half to ensure a 2-0 advantage at the interval, and leaving Poole little option but to come out better in the second half to try and rescue something from the match.

The 48th minute saw an effort from Slade blasted well over the bar before Bustamante pulled shot wide from a tight angle at the other end of the pitch. The Dolphins pushed for a goal and recorded a succession of corners, which were all dealt with well by a strong backline determined to get the result over the line.

Thirty minutes from time, Gwengwe got away from Roberts for the first time in the match, but lifted his effort from inside the box over the bar.

After a fair share of chances for Poole, it was Wimborne’s turn to threaten once more. On 63 minutes, Sills found space and took a shot at goal that was blocked into the hands of Parkes. The Poole stopper was called into action again a minute later, saving a close-ranged attempt from Fletcher.

There then was a return to the pitch for Joe Smith after a spell out, replacing Ramos and joining the striker duo with Fletcher. His partner forced yet another brilliant reaction save from a flying Parkes, after Fletcher directed a powerful header at goal from a well-delivered corner.

Lowes then recorded two chances of his own, with the first whizzing past the post from distance and the latter a header comfortably saved by Oscar Abbotson. Seung-Woo Yang was brought on amidst those chances as he makes his way back to full fitness following a long injury.

As the clock ticked closer to full-time, Abbotson had to readjust well to keep out an awkward cross before the resulting corner ended up safely in his hands. He then caught a Gwengwe header straight down the middle of the goal.

The five minutes of additional time at the end allowed substitute Whisken to head into the net and spark a few nerves in the away crowd. However, after Smith was taken off for Lewis Williams to run down the clock, the full-time whistle sounded and signalled a fantastic and fully-deserved win for the Magpies in this local derby.

A special word to the travelling fans in the packed away end, who were loud, proud, and full of passion singing the Magpies over the line. Next up for Wimborne is a home match against Berkhamsted at the Wyatt Homes Stadium on Saturday.

MAGPIES XI: Oscar Abbotson; Sam Jackson, Sam Roberts, Tyler Edmondson, Harry Thomas; Josh Carmichael, Cam Munn, Ethan Sills (Seung-Woo Yang, 74’), Max Bustamante (Drew Eccott-Young, 80’); Will Fletcher, Rafa Ramos (Joe Smith, 65’, Lewis Williams, 90+2’)

Unused Sub: Burchall

Match Report: Euan Thomas