MATCH REPORT: Wimborne Town 2-1 Melksham Town

Wimborne Town 2

Melksham Town 1

Tue 27th February 2024

Goals: Munn, Morgan

Att: 428

After conceding an early goal, first-half strikes by Cam Munn and Harry Morgan were enough to take the points and lift Wimborne back to the top of the table. Manager Tim Sills made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Josh Carmichael and Harry Baker.

The talking point before kick-off was how the Magpies would react after that extraordinary game on Saturday when they were pegged back by a late equaliser from the eight men of promotion rivals Cribbs. After Melksham had wasted a first minute free-kick, Harry Baker set out Wimborne’s stall by fastening on to a through ball down the inside-right channel and firing across tall keeper Butler whose strong arm denied the hungry striker. However, it was the visitors, with just one point from their previous five games, who shocked New Cuthbury by taking the lead on five minutes. Retrieving a lost cause wide on the right, Hopkins and Sady combined for a shot which Ross Flitney saved only for skipper Hendy to score from the rebound. Wimborne shrugged off that set-back, and just four minutes later were on level terms. Matty Burrows electric burst on the right took him to the by-line from where his pull-back was side-footed into the far corner by Cam Munn.

Camm Munn // (C) Steve Harris Photography

Fleet-footed Burrows was to be a thorn in Melksham’s side all game, as Carmichael and the excellent Sam Jackson sought him out with diagonal passes. But it wasn’t just Burrows who was speedy; the visitors broke quickly and stretched the home back-line. On sixteen minutes, Oakley Hanger had to sprint back to disrupt a dangerous-looking attack. Then, at the other end, Hanger’s charge was crudely stopped on the edge of the area; disappointingly his free-kick sailed into the distant gloom at the sewage-works end.

It was an absorbing contest with Wimborne making most of the chances. At one end Burrows’ runs to the by-line caused chaos; at the other end Jackson and Billy Walker repelled all that came their way. Wimborne’s second goal came with ten minutes of the half remaining. Baker came in from the right and fired a rocket goalwards; Butler stopped it, only for Harry Morgan to sweep home the rebound. Ben Scorey hit a dipping cross from the left, and Walker, Morgan, Baker and Munn combined in a thrilling one touch move as the hosts looked for a third.

Wimborne looked sharp at the start of the second period too. Burrows, now taunting his full-back on the left, forced and took a corner. Lewis Beale’s diving header was deflected past the post. Baker played Beale through on the right to lob the keeper only for Molyneux to race back and acrobatically clear off the line. In our next attack, on the hour mark, Burrows speed took him to the left by-line, Beale connected with his pull-back only for the big stopper to make a brilliant save to deflect his shot onto the bar.

With just the one goal dividing the teams, Melksham came more into the game. Scorey had to make a perfectly-timed sliding challenge; twice Jackson was in the right place to clear; Morgan was back in defence to clear; the dependable Walker cleared with head and boot. Pressure was building on Flitney’s goal: Hendy’s shot was bravely blocked; and Mwaruwari’s drive from the edge was well saved by the keeper.

Having weathered the Melksham storm, Wimborne finished the game in control. Baker’s shot from Morgan’s pass billowed the side-netting; Burrows shot from distance was an easy save for Butler; and Hanger’s rasping drive went wide. There was an element of relief when referee Smith signalled the end of the additional five minutes, but Wimborne deservedly took all three points.

In his programme notes, manager Sills described this game as “the Tuesday after the Saturday before”. And his team reacted well, especially after going behind. Melksham are a decent, young side and made a competitive game of it. How good to let the football make the headlines again!

Match stats:

Wimborne: Flitney, Hanger, Walker, Jackson (capt), Scorey (Griffin 86), Carmichael (Neale 67), Morgan, Munn (Hoey 75), Beale, Burrows, Baker

Unused subs: Cocklin, Lovell

Attendance: 428