MATCH REPORT: Wimborne Town 2-0 Portland United

It was such a hot afternoon that your match reporter needed a hydration break before the game started. Credit to both sets of players for putting on a good competitive game in stifling conditions on the ‘roasting’ 3G surface - for both a first pre-season run-out.

After a flurry of early Blues’ attacks, Josh McQuoid took control of the game pinging inch-perfect passes left, right and centre, to pick out the willing and energetic runs of wide-men Max Bustamante and Lewis Williams, and Cam Munn and Charlie Wooding as they burst forward from midfield. Cam Sullivan, at left back, was neat and tidy as he looked to get forward, while Kester Wilson, on the right, looked assured against the Southern League Div One South opposition.

Wimborne really came alive when Fin Toghill was introduced after half-an-hour. The flying left-winger soon got to the by-line to fire a low cross into the area which the free-running Wooding turned into the net from close range. Toghill was a constant threat as McQuoid, Munn, and Wooding picked out his runs, but the winger was also aware of his defensive duties and twice raced back to clear danger.

In the unforgiving conditions, the fitness of Tim’s team told in the second-half as they dominated possession. A second goal came on 61 minutes when a corner was headed against the bar and Angel Younger showed great technique to rifle the rebound into the net from 12 yards.

Will Fletcher, Cam Munn, and Joe Smith all had good efforts saved, blocked, and fly inches wide. Lewis Williams drew gasps when, after being shepherded to the by-line, he dribbled towards his own goal before turning between two defenders and curling a shot towards the top corner which brought a spectacular save. Taylor Broadley’s speed and trickery on the right wing spelled danger every time he received the ball, and with clever inter-play through the middle to carve through the hard-working Blues’ defence, it was exciting fare for the supporters who braved the hot conditions on the 3G.

Manager Tim Sills was flexible with formations, and rotated players to get game minutes into hot legs. It was a very encouraging afternoon for The Magpies.

A final word about the four Academy youngsters (winger Taylor Broadley, defender Archie Williams, full-back & midfielder Kester Wilson, and midfielder Angel Younger) who acquitted themselves well in Southern League company - if they are examples of the “player pathway”, then it’s working for me!

Team: Rodwell; Wilson, Roberts, Scorey, Sullivan; McQuoid, Wooding, Munn; Bustamante, Smith, L.Williams – used subs: Broadley, Carmichael, Fletcher, Roundell-Prince, Toghill, A.Williams, Younger

Your reporter’s man-of-the-match: Fin Toghill

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