MATCH PREVIEW: Wimborne Town vs Portishead Town

Wimborne Town FC | 03 September 2026 | Copy link
Ah, the magic of the FA Cup! For non-league clubs outside the National League, the dream is to reach the First Round Proper. Wimborne have achieved that just once, in 1982 when, as the lowest ranked team left in the competition, The Magpies lost 4-0 at Fourth Division Aldershot.

 

Saturday equals Portishead’s best run in the competition, they also reached the First Round Qualifying ten years ago.

 

Given that it’s only the first Saturday in September, the Possett have already played ten times this season – five in the Western League Premier Division (they’re currently fourth - W4 D0 L1), once in the FA Vase (knocking out Mendip Broadwalk 7-1), and four in the FA Cup. Those FA Cup ties were: Extra-Preliminary Round vs Ardley Utd (Combined Counties Premier North, Step5) 0-0 (a), 3-1 (h) in the replay; Preliminary Round vs Larkhall Ath (Southern Div One South, Step4) 2-2 (a), 1-0 (h) in the replay.

 

Portishead’s overall record so far in this campaign is W7, D2, L1, GF 30, GA 10; they’ve failed to score just once, and have kept three clean sheets; and that one defeat? – 2-1 at Saltash on August 1st, since when Posset are seven unbeaten. One to watch is striker Ethan Feltham who set a club record of 55 goals in the 2023-24 season, it was he who scored the winner against Larkhall.

 

After lifting the Western Premier title in 2024-25, Portishead competed last season in Southern League Div One South, their first-ever season at Step 4. And they took the division by storm, finishing second to champions Frome with a W30 D5 L7 record; they banged in 110 goals, the best in the division, and conceded a miserly 37, second best defensive record behind The Robins. However, controversially, they were not allowed to compete in the play-offs on ground grading issues, and suffered a double-whammy when they were demoted back to the Western Premier at Step 5. Manager Kye Mountford retained most of that squad for this campaign.

 

Wimborne’s action has all been in the league so far, W1 D3 L2. After Saturday’s battling goal-less draw at early table-toppers Uxbridge, Tim’s team are unbeaten in four, and on a roll of three consecutive clean sheets. The problem has been at the other end of the pitch where converting the numerous chances created has not come easily. Those two tough games in 50 hours last weekend will have taken its toll on Tim’s squad, but Harvey will be back to bolster numbers. However, finding seven for the bench will probably mean calling on some of the Academy youngsters.

 

In last season’s FA Cup, The Magpies knocked out Bishops Cleeve and National South Bath City before bowing out to future National South champions Worthing at The Wyatt Homes Stadium.

 

Club Historian Ken Fergus has no record of us having played Portishead before; a match against a club new to us is always special. We look forward to welcoming everyone involved with the Posset – officials, players and supporters - to New Cuthbury.

 

So just four wins are needed for either side to reach the First Round Proper! And what a cracker of a tie we have in store to start our journey as two good teams battle for a place in the next round. Wimborne will want a win in front of their fans; while Portishead are poised for a potential cup upset. Come on down to The Wyatt Homes Stadium for your fix of FA Cup footie and find out who comes out on top. After all, it’s what Saturday afternoons in September 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 5-minute stroll from the ground.
  • There is a bike park near the players' entrance.
  • A packed printed programme will be on sale for £3.
  • Admission: Adults £14, Concessions £9, U18s £5, U13s FREE with paying adult. Half-time admission £5. Please note that season tickets are not valid for games in the FA competitions.
  • Weather Forecast: Sunny intervals; 21oC; <5% chance of rain.
  • Prize Money: Winners £2,250; Losers £750
  • If scores are level at the end of ‘normal’ time, there will be a replay at Portishead on Tuesday.