MATCH REPORT: Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0-0 Wimborne Town

Bemerton Heath 0

Wimborne 0

Sat 5th November 2023

Att: 284

With both sides wanting to avoid defeat, this top-of-the-table clash of few clear-cut chances ended in a goal-less stalemate which won’t linger long in the memory. Credit to the hosts’ groundstaff who produced a very good playing surface given the recent rainfall.

Manager Tim Sills made one change to his starting line-up, restoring Jack Lovell to play up front with Harry Baker.

After Ross Flitney had raced out of his area to clear an early through ball, the game was ten minutes old before either goal was threatened. Oakley Hanger’s free-kick from wide on the left was well gathered by keeper Creese as the ball bounced in front of him. Josh Carmichael’s cross from the left just eluded the on-rushing Lovell, before his first corner was headed against the tall keeper at the far post by Connor Cocklin. Bemerton’s tactic was to counter-attack at speed, but Jez Bedford was on hand to perform his defensive duties well following Wimborne’s second corner. Billy Walker stood firm at the near post to clear when Robinson cut in from the left, and Cocklin levitated a long leg to dispossess Jatta. Wimborne continued to probe for gaps, sensibly retaining possession until an opportunity to attack appeared. Carmichael was having an excellent game, and was at the heart of the visitors’ approach play. Sams Jackson and Griffin combined well down the left to send crosses into the danger area, and the effervescent Bedford whipped a ball across the face of the goal after Cocklin had won another midfield battle. Bemerton’s only goal attempt of the half came on forty-two minutes: skipper Jamie Henry, a former Magpie, hit a free-kick into Flitney’s well-positioned defensive wall.

Play moved from end-to-end at the start of the second half, and there were a few half-chances. For Bemerton: Walker threw himself in the way of Jatta’s shot; Jackson headed a corner clear; Lovell cleared another corner; Britton had a shot blocked as he came off his right wing; and Bedford again completed his defensive duty. For Wimborne: Lovell headed Griffin’s cross wide; substitute Cam Munn’s shot was saved at the foot of the post by Creese; and Lovell headed Hanger’s free-kick wide.

Then, as the clock ticked into time added on, Wimborne had their best two opportunities of the game. Ben Scorey created space for Munn on the edge of the penalty area, but the striker’s side-foot flew agonisingly wide. Then, from a final corner, a header and then Scorey’s shot were somehow blocked on the line. And it was the home side who celebrated when referee Taylor, who had a good game, gave a last blast on his whistle.

Before the game, a point at second-placed Bemerton would have seemed a good return. But at the final whistle, both on and off the pitch, there was a sense of “two points lost”. Another clean sheet is a definite positive from the day, as was the terrific travelling support which helped to swell the crowd to double Bemerton’s league average.

Match stats:

Wimborne: Flitney, Hanger, Walker, Cocklin, Jackson (Capt), Carmichael (Scorey 60), Bedford, Neale, Griffin (Beale 77), Baker (Munn 66), Lovell

Unused subs: Morgan, Roberts

Attendance: 284