MATCH REPORT: Wimborne Town 3-3 Bracknell Town

Wimborne Town overturned a two-goal deficit, with two goals from Will Fletcher and a volley from Harry Thomas, to earn a point at home in a thrilling last game of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Magpies came into the final game with survival already guaranteed and Bracknell also having little left to play for after already securing a mid-table finish.

Tim Sills made three changes to the starting lineup that drew away at Sholing last weekend, with Ben Rodwell, Drew Eccott-Young and Ajani Burchall returning to the starting lineup.

The Magpies started the game on the front foot, with Joe Smith narrowly missing a one-on-one attempt with Callum Miles, as well as several half-chances in the opening 10 minutes.

However, it was the visitors who got off to a flying start, when in the 16th minute, Bracknell talisman Giovanni McGregor found space down the left and slotted past Rodwell with a great finish.

The Robins made the most of this early advantage, and quickly doubled it. Just two minutes later, Gabe George capitalised on a great ball from Connor Harris and made no mistake with the finish from the centre of the box.

However, Wimborne started their fight back almost immediately, when Will Fletcher’s looping header from Max Bustamante's cross found the back of the Robins’ net, pulling one back for the hosts and reducing the deficit to one.

Smith made great connection with a header to an Ethan Sills free kick, but the effort soared just over the crossbar. It must have been very tight, but moments later Smith was also flagged offside after rounding Miles one-on-one.

Three goals in quick succession made for a very entertaining first half, however the visitors had one more surprise in store before the break when Harry Murphy made it three with a carbon copy of Bracknell's second goal, and at that point seemed to put the game beyond doubt.

However, the Magpies half-time oranges must have worked their magic, when they made the game come alive once again. A loose ball bounced into the path of Fletcher, who grabbed his brace with a remarkable strike from outside of the box that left keeper Miles rooted to the spot. Those two goals saw Fletcher claim the golden boot for the second year running, with the number nine finding the net 17 times this campaign, matching last season's tally.

Smith also latched on to Max Bustamante’s deep cross early into the second half, but the volley flew just over. 

The two-striker partnership between Smith and Fletcher worked wonders, causing problems all afternoon for the Robins defence. Rafa Ramos would also be brought on later to cause some late chaos for Bracknell.

Cam Munn appeared to be clipped in the box in the 69th minute after a great run, with the entire home end appealing for a penalty, but the referee saw differently and believed he dived.

Wimborne wouldn’t have to wait long to level the score. In the 77th minute, Harry Thomas’ strike from outside of the box with the outstep of his weak foot found the top left corner, levelling the score in style. A stunning way to open his account for the Magpies.

In the remaining 15 minutes, the Magpies looked the likelier to grab a late winner, something that seemed out of sight in the first half, with Joe Ryan finding space down the right and zipping a shot past the far post. 

Both sides made this match a very entertaining watch, with a great game for all 898 fans in attendance to enjoy at the end of the season. 

The 42nd, and final, league game of the season ended in the points being shared. Both sides will now start preparing for the 2026/27 campaign, once more in the Southern Premier South, after a well-deserved break over summer. Thank you for your incredible support this season, Magpies!

MAGPIES XI: Rodwell; Eccott-Young (Yang 56'), Edmondson, Roberts, Jackson; Burchall (Munn 64'), Sills (Ramos 87'), Thomas, Bustamante (Ryan 74'); Fletcher, Smith (Williams 58')

Attendance: 898

Match Report: Tom Whittick

Match Stats: