Match Preview – Wimborne vs Bemerton Heath Harlequins
At last! Six weeks after beating Bashley 4-0 in front of a 1200 plus crowd, the boys are back in town. Since then a 4-1 win at Exmouth, 1-3 loss at Larkhall, and last week wins at Paulton (2-0) and Manor Farm (2-1) have brought Tim’s team a nine-point haul to kick-off 2024.
Just like Wimborne, Bemerton’s last game of 2023 was also a victory over Bashley (3-2). The Southern League fixture scheduler gave the Harlequins just about the toughest start to 2024 you could have – playing the top six teams: Frome away (lost 0-3), Yate away (lost 0-3), Evesham away (lost 1-2), Bideford home (won 2-0), Cribbs home (lost 0-2), and now Wimborne away. Despite such a difficult run of games, Bemerton are still just two points off the play-off spots in seventh place with a W10 D3 L10 GF 36 GA 38 record. On their travels, like Wimborne, they’ve won five: Tavistock (2-1), Exmouth (4-0), Larkhall (2-1), and Willand (4-2), but only Bashley (3-2) on Boxing Day in the last two months. Their complete away record is W5 D0 L7.
Given that this is Bemerton’s first season at Step 4 after being promoted from the Wessex Premier as runners-up to Horndean, Shaun Hale’s team are having a terrific season which has included home wins over Frome and Yate as well as Bideford on 30th January. Danny Young is leading scorer with 6, while the experienced Stuart Green has bagged 5. Their squad includes two former Magpies – Jamie Henry and Henry Lander.
Wimborne sit at the top of the table with a W14 D4 L4 GF 47 GA 25 record (at the time of writing, the SL website table still does not include the result at Larkhall). At New Cuthbury our record is W9 D1 L0. We’re the second highest scorers in the division, behind Bishops Cleeve, and have the second best defensive record, behind Cribbs.
Harry Morgan’s three goals in those two games last week brings his total for this season up to seven. Ahead of him in the race for our “golden boot” are Lewis Beale (8), Jack Lovell (9), and Harry Baker (13). However, if we consider which member of our current squad has scored the most in their WTFC career, then it’s Skipper Scott Arnold! Arnie’s first two starts this season, both last week, resulted in two wins – he’s now reached 612 appearances for the Magpies. Injuries will once again deprive manager Tim Sills of Jez Bedford, Connor Cocklin and Sam Roberts. But Jack Hoey, Cam Munn, and Ben Scorey will all be wanting to catch the gaffer’s eye in training and a place in the starting XI.
The reverse fixture on 4th November was a goal-less draw in front of 284 spectators – that was the day our announcer Denis bravely cycled to and from the ground through floods and gales as a fund-raiser. Since then the Harlequins have conceded at least two goals in eleven of the twelve league games they’ve played – the exception being that 2-0 win over Bideford who were on an unbeaten run of seven games.
With both teams wanting all three points, Bemerton’s first visit to Wimborne in the Southern League is set to be a competitive game that you won’t want to miss. Put the rugby on record, and come on down to cheer on the boys who are back in town. After all, it’s what Saturday afternoons were made for!
With AFCB and Poole both playing away, there could be another large crowd. If you are travelling by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.
Admission: adults £12, concessions £8, U16s £5, U13s £2.
A packed printed programme will be on sale.
Weather forecast: sunny intervals; 10oC; 10% chance of rain.
There’s plenty of rain in the weather forecast for the rest of this week, so do check the Club’s social media channels in case of a pitch inspection.
