MATCH REPORT: Sholing 2-2 Wimborne Town

Wimborne Town made it four away games unbeaten with a 2-2 draw at Sholing, with a point securing their Southern Premier status for another year.

Tim Sills made one change from the side which breezed past Tiverton midweek, with Charlie Philpott coming into the side between the sticks to replace the unwell Oscar Abbotson.

The Magpies made the trip down the A31 knowing that a point would make them mathematically safe, whilst Sholing were looking for a vital victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Magpies got off to a fantastic start, when in just the second minute Will Fletcher’s pass was flicked on by Joe Smith into the path of Max Bustamante, with the former-Boatman firing past the stranded Turner and into the Sholing net.

The visitors arrived quick out of the blocks, testing the Sholing defence in the early stages. Ethan Sills free kick was met by a powerful Sam Roberts header, but it didn’t test the keeper. Fletcher did find the net with a great strike; however it was the one protecting the clubhouse rather than between the posts, with his shot sailing over.

The Magpies number nine wouldn’t be waiting long to get on the scoresheet though, as in the 13th minute the ball was lofted over a disarrayed Sholing defence, with Fletcher rising highest and nodding home to double the lead.

All the pressure in the opening half hour was from the away side, testing the Boatmen's defence time and time again. The Magpies were denied a third by the tightest of margins when a scrap for possession in the Sholing six yard box lead to a triple chance, with skipper Sam Jackson, Fletcher and Bustamante all denied by blocks and bodies in the goalmouth.

Joe Smith was next to have a crack at goal, when his one on one attempt with Turner was well saved by an outstretched boot and flicked around the far post.

However, this early dominance became frustration over missed chances, when in the 33rd minute Sholing pulled one back. A moment of pinball in the Wimborne box fell to Folivi, who struck past Philpott and reduced the deficit to just one.

The Magpies were far and away the dominant side in the first half, but the clinical nature of Sholing made the game all to play for once again. Things would become more tense for the visitors when just after the break, the score was all tied up. Dan Mason held the ball up well before finding Tommy-Lee Higgs with a well-timed pass to set up the strike to draw the game square.

Wimborne had a fantastic chance to grab the lead when a looping Jackson cross found Fletcher at the back stick, it was a fantastic effort, but his header rattled the woodwork. Your match reporter is still trying to figure out how that one stayed out.

Sholing would soon reply by hitting the woodwork themselves, this time striking the underside of the bar from inside the box in the 69th minute, causing a lot of nerves for the travelling fans.

The Boatmen had some big chances during a 10-minute dominant period, with Philpott making a fantastic full-stretch save to parry a strike from range, denying the hosts a late lead.

The Magpies defence were phenomenal, making block after block, dealing with a barrage of crosses, and playing tirelessly against one of the league's best attacking forces.

Bustamante came so close late on to claiming the winner, when three minutes from time his half volley flew inches over the bar from just outside the 18-yard box.

However, it all came crashing down when in the 95th minute Sholing were awarded a penalty after a supposed push in the box. Folivi stepped up to take it, with the potential to grab his second of the afternoon and send Sholing into the playoffs. However, his shot fired off the inside of the post and away with what was practically the last kick of the game, securing Wimborne’s place in the league next year and sending Sholing’s promotion fight to the final day.

The travelling support was superb with a sold out supporter's coach, thank you all once again for your fantastic support on the road this season! We next face Bracknell Town back at the Wyatt Homes Stadium next Saturday for the final game of the 2025/26 season.

MAGPIES XI: Philpott; Thomas, Roberts, Edmondson; Bustamante (Ryan 89'), Munn (Eccott-Young 67'), Carmichael (Yang 46'), Sills (Burchall 74'), Jackson; Smith (Williams 63'), Fletcher

Match Report: Tom Whittick

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