MATCH REPORT: Wimborne Town 0-1 Berkhamsted

After the excitement and euphoria of Monday’s Dorset derby demolition of The Dolphins, this bruising battle with Berkhamsted was a real let-down for everyone at Wimborne, and it won’t linger long in the memory. On their first visit to Wimborne, the play-off chasing Comrades extended their winning run to six of the best with the excellent Luke Andrews scoring the vital goal on 10 minutes.

Wimborne’s Assistant Manager Luke Hardy, in charge for the day, not surprisingly sent out the same starting XI who had performed so effectively five days ago. Joe Ryan came in on the subs bench.

Although it was a scrappy opening as the teams came to terms with each other, the blustery conditions and the rock-hard pitch, Berko looked a side full of confidence. The ball seemed like a hot potato for The Magpies who sent it soaring towards the housing-estate end as soon as they could, but the visitors were neat and tidy in possession, looking to start rapid attacks. Some theatrical shouts and rolling around helped convince Referee Harrison to award the visitors early free-kicks, and it was from one of these, to the left of the corner of the penalty box, that the all-important goal came. Berko’s captain Lacey sent the ball high into the box; a half-clearance, and a miss-kick left the ball at the feet of full-back Andrews whose low grubber shot from near the penalty-spot eluded flailing legs and Abbotson’s dive.

At the mid-point of the half, Wimborne put together a first passing move. The ball was shifted across field to the willing Sam Jackson whose cross to the far post was well caught by keeper Horlock. Berko responded with a clever short-corner routine ending with a shot poked inches wide of the post. And two minutes later they nearly doubled their advantage: the gusting wind deceived defenders to allow Harding through on goal only to be denied by a brilliant sprawling save by the Wimborne stopper.

On 33 minutes, the hosts had their only goal attempt of the half: Ethan Sills free-kick was headed towards the net by Sam Roberts, only for keeper Horlock to catch the ball high to his right. But it was The Comrades who looked the more likely to score: Lacey’s curling free-kick from the top of the “D” beat the wall, and the post – but only just; full-back Hyde sent a hanging cross into the danger area; Lacey blasted over the bar at the end of a rapid counter-attack; and Watkins was beaten by Abbotson in a foot-race to a through ball.

For Wimborne it was a half full of perspiration but little inspiration. Surely things could only get better.

After Berko’s enterprising one-twos down the right wing was stopped near the by-line by Cam Munn shortly after the re-start, Wimborne stacked up the goal attempts: skipper Jackson fed Max Bustamante whose first shot was blocked, and the rebound acrobatically sent over the bar; another swinging Jackson cross fell to Bustamante whose blasted shot was bravely blocked; Munn and Sills combined to set-up Lewis Williams for a shot from the edge of the box which was also blocked; Williams’ low free-kick from just outside the box was cleared; Joe Ryan picked up a loose ball on the right and had just one thought – but blasted over; Will Fletcher headed Tyler Edmondson’s cross agonisingly wide; Jackson’s header from Josh Carmichael’s cross was an easy catch for the keeper; and Ajani Burchall volleyed over deep into time added-on.

In the middle of all that, on 74 minutes, Berko were reduced to ten men when Watkins was sent for first dibs of the shower gel after being shown a second yellow during an altercation with Bustamante in front of the dug-outs. With six minutes added-on by referee Harrison, the visitors variety of time-wasting tactics didn’t endear them to the home support.However, credit to The Comrades, they came with a plan, executed it well, and defended like Trojans with Gurteen a man mountain in the middle of it.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Wimborne, which makes Tuesday’s re-arranged visit to already relegated Tiverton absolutely vital. A win on their difficult pitch will make all the difference. COYM!

MAGPIES XI: Abbotson, Thomas, Roberts, Edmondson, Jackson, Carmichael, Munn (Seuny 79'), Sills (Burchall 76'), Bustamante (Ryan 86'), Fletcher, Ramos (Williams 63')

Unused Sub: Eccott-Young

Attendance: 575

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