Wimborne Town 1
AFC Bournemouth Development Squad 4
Sat 3rd Aug 2024
After struggling to contain the young Cherries in the first-half, Wimborne improved after the interval with Will Fletcher scoring a late consolation goal.
The Bournemouth line-up included three youngsters familiar to Magpies’ supporters who had played for us on loan over the past 18 months: Lewis Brown, Remy Rees-Dottin, and Jonny Stuttle.
After Drew Eccott-Young had blocked an early shot then dispossessed his flying winger, it was Stuttle who gave the visitors the lead on eleven minutes. Clever inter-play took the Cherries into the box before pin-ball soccer ended with the striker firing the loose ball into the net. A second followed four minutes later when a delicate chip across Ross Flitney’s goal was headed home. At the mid-point of the half, Fletcher headed Sam Jackson’s free-kick towards the top corner but it was an easy save for the keeper. Wimborne were unable to take advantage of their superior physical presence at a string of corners only for the Cherries to score from one on forty-one minutes when the ball fell to a surprised William who netted from close range.
After Tim’s team talk, the Magpies started the second-half on the front foot. Trialist B, who looked lively on the right-wing, forced a far post save; Jez Bedford went on a trade-mark slaloming run; Fletcher shot from 25 yards; Matty Burrows tried a snap shot; trialist B hit the post from Cam Munn’s pass; Sam Roberts’ header from a corner was tipped over; and Harry Baker headed wide. However, the Cherries took advantage of Wimborne’s pressing forwards with a fast counter-attack for the impressive left-back Boutin’s low cross to be turned past Flitney with ten minutes left. But Wimborne kept going and on eighty-four minutes the two trialists combined for a pull-back from the right by-line which Fletcher slammed into the net. The young defenders were convinced an offside flag should have been raised, and with passions running high a robust challenge lead to a fracas with Bedford and Winterburn being sent for first dibs of the shower gel.
The young Cherries were impressive. They were all confident on the ball, pressed together, attacked together, and defended together. The Magpies struggled to cope in the first-half, but will look to take their second-half showing into the first league game of the season. It’s on Saturday at our Wyatt Homes Stadium against Hanwell Town. You won’t want to miss our return to Step 3.
Wimborne: Flitney, Eccott-Young, Cocklin, Wright, Jackson, Carmichael, Neale, Bedford, Trialist A, Munn, Fletcher 2nd half subs: Baker, Burrows, Roberts, Trialist B
Att: 535
