Skipper Sam Jackson rescued a point for Wimborne with a header from Matt Neale’s corner deep into time added-on to equalise Gloucester’s opener straight after the interval.

Manager Sills made two changes to his starting line-up from the Boxing Day victory at Sholing bringing in Jez Bedford and Toby Holmes.

The opening half-hour of Gloucester’s first-ever visit to Wimborne was an engrossing, yet cagey affair. The visitors dominated possession but were unable to find a way through the hosts’ resolute defence. The nearest either side came to a goal during that period was Harry Morgan’s fifth minute free-kick which beat the defensive wall but was a comfortable save for Thompson.

Then, on 34 minutes, the contest really came to life. Morgan’s languid run into the visitors’ box led to a pinball scramble as shots by Jez Bedford, Toby Holmes and Morgan were saved or blocked. The resulting corner was headed narrowly over by Walker. After a twinkling Bedford dribble, The Tigers re-asserted their authority on the game but were denied shooting opportunities by Sam Jackson’s header, Josh Carmichael’s sliding clearance, and Harvey Wright’s strength. Wimborne’s solid defence had safely negotiated the first-half without keeper Ross Flitney having to make a save.

But all that changed in the first minute after the interval. Gloucester were gifted the ball deep into Wimborne’s half on the right, it was quickly shifted to Smalley who drifted across the box to make room to fire past Flitney from near the penalty spot. It was the same player who had scored the only goal of the reverse fixture. Chances came and went as play flowed from end to end. First the energetic Pinchard ghosted in to meet a left-wing cross and force Flitney into a terrific reaction save at the near post; then, just before the hour mark, Morgan’s clever control and turn ended with a shot into the side netting; back came the visitors as Smalley headed a driven cross over the bar; then Joe Ryan’s run inside his full-back was met with a last-ditch well-timed tackle.

Gloucester had been playing sensibly as they recycled the ball when attacks broke down. But after Flitney had saved Williams’ low attempt, and Smalley’s shot went wide following a scramble, it was Wimborne who were exerting pressure as they chased an equaliser, although clear-cut chances were at a premium as the visitors defended in depth.

Then, when five minutes of additional time were signalled, The Magpies turned the pressure up a couple of notches. Coming in from the left, Ryan’s shot was blocked; the ball fell to Fletcher who desperately tried to get the ball down before a defender got his boot in; Matt Neale delivered a free-kick from wide on the left into the densely populated penalty area; as the ball was half-cleared Cam Munn then Wright dried to dribble through the forest of legs; then, with four of those five minutes already gone, Wright’s goal-bound shot was deflected for a corner on the right. Flitney made his way into the box. Neale’s in-swinging delivery was on the money! At the far post skipper Jackson rose highest to head into the top corner. The crowd massed at the housing estate end went wild. Just after the re-start referee Mitchem gave his whistle a final blast and brought our 2024 to an end.

Gloucester are a decent side and sit comfortably third in the table, so for Tim’s team to take a point off them is a good result. You can’t fault the effort The Magpies put in, and to keep going right to the end after that strength-sapping performance just 48 hours earlier is a testament to their fitness and commitment. Next up is the “Stourco” derby on New Year’s Day. What a way to start 2025!

Wimborne: Flitney, Wright, Walker, Roberts, Jackson, Scorey (Fletcher 67), Carmichael (Neale 73), Bedford (Munn 81), Lovell (Ryan 60), Morgan (Biss 89), Holmes

Attendance: 829

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