Match Preview – Wimborne vs Weymouth

Saturday’s unwelcome late postponement means that Wimborne haven’t played for a fortnight since that 2-1 win over Larkhall under the New Cuthbury floodlights. However, they are still on top of the table with a W9 D3 L3 GF 31 GA 18 record; at New Cuthbury it’s W7 D1 L0. This Saturday coming they have a crucial league game at in-form Frome.

Last Saturday The Terras lost their third round FA Trophy tie 0-2 at Southern Premier Hendon. Their most recent league game was also a defeat 1-3 at Torquay last Tuesday, which leaves them sitting eighteenth of twenty-four, three points above the relegation places with a W5 D8 L8 GF 23 GA 31 record. This coming Saturday they too have a crucial league game when they travel to Chippenham who sit three places higher.

Both managers are likely to view this rescheduled county cup tie as welcome relief from the pressure of league games: Wimborne, aiming to stay in promotion contention in Southern League Div One South; Weymouth, trying to move clear of the relegation zone in National South, two divisions higher.

Not having played for two weeks is likely to be a factor in Tim Sill’s deliberations over what team to send out for this game. He’ll want his lads to be match fit for Frome on Saturday, but won’t want to risk injuries. And this is a great opportunity to cast his eye over lads returning from injury, like Jack Hoey; lads in the squad who aren’t getting as much game time as they’d want; lads needing to regain their form; young lads wanting to show what they can do, maybe some from Christer Warren’s Wimborne Reserves. So many factors for Tim to consider – who’d be a manager?

Difficult decisions for Weymouth’s Bobby Wilkinson too. I understand that the original plan was to play many of Weymouth’s Under 23 team, but they have a league fixture the following night so he could put out an interesting blend of youth and experience.

Whichever players both managers name, they will view this as an opportunity to show “the boss” that they deserve a shirt in the bigger games. And this competition represents a great opportunity for players and clubs to bag some silverware. Wimborne last won the Dorset Senior Cup in 2018; Weymouth in 2020.

A semi-final against Poole Town at Tatnam awaits the winners of this tie. In a pre-season game at New Cuthbury back in July, The Terras beat The Magpies 3-2.

A knock-out cup tie under floodlights always has a special atmosphere. And there has to be a result on the night. So wrap up warm and give the children and grandchildren an opportunity to watch live floodlit footie. This has all the ingredients for an exciting and entertaining evening.

Admission prices have been reduced for this game: adults £8; concessions £5; under 18s free.

There will not be a printed programme for this game.

Weather forecast: light cloud; 9oC; 10% chance of rain.