The team we’ve played the most since joining the Southern League is Saturday’s opponents Taunton Town. Since 2010-11, for 12 seasons including the Covid years, we were in the same division, even being promoted together from Division One to Premier South at the end of 2017-18. Then in 2021-22, our fortunes couldn’t have been more different: The Peacocks won promotion as champions to strut their stuff in National South, while The Magpies finished bottom of the pile and were relegated to scavenge what they could from Div One. However, two seasons later the trajectories of the two clubs were reversed: Taunton finished 22nd of 24 and were relegated; Wimborne were promoted as champions. So now we’re back together again.
Taunton changed manager during the summer, bringing in Richard Luffman from Cribbs. He recruited heavily and his squad continues to evolve – just this week he’s brought in Harry Gardner, and Latrell Humphrey-Evans on loan from Bath. Like most teams in this division, the manager will have been frustrated by inconsistent performances, but currently Luffman’s lads are top of the current form table with a six-game unbeaten run (W4 D2) which has lifted them to 7th in the table that matters with a W9 D8 L7 GF 42 GA 37 record. At their well-attended Wordsworth Drive home the record is W5 D4 L2. Those victories were over Marlow (5-2), Supermarine (3-1), Poole (2-0), Hungerford (2-1), and on Tuesday evening Gosport (3-1). The Peacocks have scored in every home game, but have kept just one clean sheet there, against The Dolphins.
It’s difficult to pick one danger man as nine different players have scored in Taunton’s five games since Christmas, including skipper Tom Smith who has had a major impact since joining from Bath. Experienced goalkeeper Josh Gould, who joined from Totton mid-season, is proving another good signing.
Wimborne have an even more experienced keeper in Ross Flitney. His recent form has seen him concede a mere two goals in our three games since Christmas: a 1-0 win at Sholing; a 1-1 draw with 3rd-placed Gloucester; and last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Marlow. Latest signing Owen Roundell looked good when he came off the bench on Saturday and will have made the manager’s selection choices more difficult. And striker Toby Holmes will want to show his former club what they’re missing. Five different players have scored in Wimborne’s latest four games leaving The Magpies sitting 12th in the current form table with a W2 D2 L2 record. In the table that matters we’re 14th with a W8 D4 L10 GF 27 GA 36 record, that’s seven points behind The Peacocks with two games in hand.
How have we fared at Wordsworth Drive in previous seasons? If you’re of a nervous disposition you might want to skip this paragraph. Having gained promotion to the Southern League in 2010-11, we played The Peacocks for eight consecutive seasons in Division One – drawing three and losing five there. But who could forget that late, late Billy Maybury free-kick which earned us a 3-3 draw in 2018? In the Premier Division, including the expunged Covid seasons, we’ve played there three times in the league. We lost 4-2 in 2018-19, 3-0 in 2019-20, and 3-1 the following season. When you include an FA Trophy replay in 2020, which we lost 4-1, this will be our 13th visit looking for our first win in Somerset. But it’s not all doom and gloom – after all Tim’s team are in the habit of breaking records and breaking losing runs.
There’s no doubt that this is going to be a tough challenge, but then all away games in this division seem to be. Wimborne will definitely be the underdogs. However, there are reasons to be cheerful:
- We won the reverse fixture 3-0 at The Wyatt Homes Stadium just two months ago;
- We won our last away game at Sholing 1-0;
- We’re unbeaten in three for the first time this season.
Both teams like to play proper, exciting football, and both will want to keep their unbeaten runs going. It could be a competitive cracker. Come on you Maggies!
Ground address: Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, Somerset TA1 2HG approx 70 miles
There may be places on the team coach – contact Paula if you’re interested.
Admission: Adult £14; concession £11; U16 £5; U6 free with paying adult
Average attendance: 663
Weather forecast: cloudy; 7oC; <5% chance of rain.
