Match Preview –  Wimborne Town vs Paulton Rovers

 

 

Four Saturdays to go, and this season is heading for a tumultuous climax. Two teams battling for that one automatic promotion spot. Then thirteen teams in with a realistic chance of a play-off place: for example Bashley, in fifteenth with 37 points from their 29 games, would go a point above current fifth Bishops Cleeve if they won their 3 games in hand.

 

At the other end of the table, Saturday’s visitors Paulton Rovers are five points adrift of next bottom Westbury with five games left. It’s disappointing to think that a club with such a fine ground and clubhouse, and who were in the Premier Division as recently as 2015-16, could be lost to the Southern League next season. But it’s results on the pitch, not facilities, that count, and Paulton’s have not been good enough this season.

 

Here’s their form:

 

Craig Loxton started the season as Rovers’ manager, but his ten games in charge ended with a W2 D2 L6 record. Next, the experienced striker Kyle Tooze was appointed as player / manager. But his noteworthy start, scoring a hat-trick in his first game at the helm in their 4-3 win at Westbury, didn’t last, and he was replaced following his W3 D1 L11 record. Paulton’s third manager of the season is former Melksham boss Richard Fey. He started with a 1-2 home loss to Bashley, then three games unbeaten (0-0 at Evesham, 4-4 at home to Bemerton, when flying winger Ed Butcher bagged a brace, and 0-0 at Bideford) which gave hope of a revival. However, two losses over Easter weekend (0-1 at home to Cribbs, and 0-3 at Yate on Monday) means three consecutive games without a goal and leaves Rovers with a mountain to climb to avoid relegation. Their overall record is W5 D6 L20 GF 31 GA 71 – the goals for and goals against totals are both the worst in the division.

 

In-form Frome leapfrogged over inactive Wimborne over the Easter weekend to go two points clear at the top of the tree, albeit having played one game more. The Magpies last game was a 3-2 win over Westbury at New Cuthbury on Non-League Day with goals by Connor Cocklin, Matt Neale and debutant Jonny Stuttle. The statistics for Tim’s team this term are impressive: unbeaten in ten; won their last five; unbeaten at New Cuthbury (W12 D3); have the best defensive record; and scored the second highest number of goals. Their overall record is W20 D6 L4 GF 65 GA 35. Wimborne are guaranteed to finish in the top three, and need five more points from the remaining six games to be certain of a top two finish.

 

 

Manager Tim Sills built a squad of starters, so he has difficult decisions to make when he selects his starting XI for Saturday. Jez Bedford and Sam Roberts could be nearing inclusion after injuries; Harry Baker, Jack Lovell and recent signing Jonny Stuttle have all made a strong case for inclusion up front; Josh Carmichael and Ben Scorey deserve a place in front of the backline. And will there be a role for Club captain Scott Arnold who is so close to matching the most appearances figure of the legendary Jamie Sturgess. Who’d be a manager!

 

This will be the fourth time the Magpies have faced Rovers this season. Back in August the teams had a goal-less draw at New Cuthbury in the FA Cup before Lewis Beale and Matt Neale scored the goals in the replay. Then we repeated that 2-0 scoreline in January at Winterfield Road in the league with goals by Harry Morgan and Cam Munn.

 

Just three more home games in the regular season for Wimborne, you won’t want to miss any of them. It’s school holidays, so bring the children and grandchildren to see what’s likely to be an exciting game. After all, it’s what Saturday afternoons were made for.

 

With the race for promotion entering the final furlong, it’s likely that there’ll be another large crowd. If you are travelling by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.

 

The changed Morebus no.13 route is now operational and runs along Leigh Road from and to The Square twice an hour.

Admission: adults £12, concessions £8, U16s £5, U13s £2.

A packed printed programme, with special features on captains, will be on sale. If you’ve never bought one, give it a try – it’s a proper job.

And talking of proper jobs, the new tea hut should be open so pop along and see what a great job Chairman Tony and the team have done to provide us and the hard-working Ann, Elaine and Trish with a fantastic facility.

Weather forecast: light cloud; 14oC; 10% chance of rain.