MATCH PREVIEW: Wimborne Town vs Chichester City

Wimborne Town FC | 09 August 2026 | Copy link
Wimborne’s first league fixture for this campaign at The Wyatt Homes Stadium is also our first-ever fixture with Chichester City.

 

Like The Magpies, The Lillywhites won promotion to Step 3 at the end of the 2023-24 season. Playing in the Isthmian League South East Division, Chichester finished fifth, 20 points behind runners-up Ramsgate, but defeated them in the play-off semi-final, and then trounced Three Bridges 5-0 in the final. In 2024-25 in the Isthmian Premier, Chichester finished a very creditable sixth, just three points off the last play-off spot; then last season they finished twelfth of 22 with a W14 D13 L15 GF 57 GA 63 record – winning more points on their travels than at their Oaklands Park 3G home. You may recall that in the last campaign we were knocked out of the FA Trophy at home in Round Two by Chatham who looked a very good side. Well, Chatham were in Chichester’s division last term and finished fourth. Impressively, The Lillywhites took four points off The Chats, drawing 2-2 at home in West Sussex, but winning 3-2 in Kent.

 

Like The Magpies, Manager Miles Rutherford’s team lost the opening league match on Saturday 2-1 at home against Poole. The Dolphins took a two-goal first-half lead before Joe Clarke scored a late consolation in front of 410.

 

After friendly fun in the sun, The Magpies lost on Saturday – 2-0 at Frome. Manager Tim Sills had to make late changes to his starting line-up with Billy Walker playing his first 90 minutes of 2026-27. Wimborne created some great opportunities but were denied by a ‘keeper in fine form and some narrow misses. Mentioning the men between the posts, young goalkeeper Kai Crampton is back on loan from AFCB while Cam Plain continues to recover. Skipper Sam Roberts suffered an arm injury on the hard Badgers Hill pitch on Saturday, and must be considered a doubt.

 

Both Chichester and Wimborne will want to bag a first point or three of this campaign. Under the Wyatt Homes Stadium floodlights this fixture will be competitive, it will be combative, it will be compelling – you won’t want to miss it. So come on down and get behind The Magpies - after all, it’s what Tuesday evenings in August were made for.

 

Match Info:

  • As there's limited parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, if you can travel by bus, bike, or on foot it would be really helpful. If you do decide to travel by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.
  • The Morebus no.13 runs along Leigh Road between The Square in the town centre and Ferndown and Bournemouth with stops at the bottom of Parmiter Road, a five-minute stroll from the ground.
  • There is a bike park near the players' entrance.
  • A packed printed programme will be on sale. At £3 it’s less than the cost of a coffee, and will literally last longer.
  • Admission: Adults £14, Concessions £9, U18s £5, U13s £2 – U16s must be accompanied by an adult. Half-time admission £5.
  • Weather Forecast: Clear skies; 23oC; <5% chance of rain.