After victories in the FA Cup at Bishops Cleeve, and in the league at Berkhamsted on Saturday, Wimborne have a third away trip in 12 days – this time along the M27 to face Gosport Borough on their newly installed 3G at their terrific stadium.
The Borough finished 12th last season, but their large and vociferous support, both home and away, will be hoping for a challenge for a play-off spot this time around. Danny Hollands’ team have had a mixed start to their campaign: an opening day 4-2 loss at Gloucester, a 3-3 home draw with Farnham, a 3-1 home win over Berkhamsted, a 2-1 loss at Uxbridge, a 2-0 home loss to Walton & Hersham, and, on Saturday, a 1-1 draw at Yate; all of which leaves them sitting 17th in the embryonic league table. In the FA Cup, they knocked out Basingstoke 2-1 to set-up an intriguing tie with Poole Town on Saturday with the return of former joint managers Lea and Suraci.
However, Gosport’s opening six league opponents have included three of the teams expected to be challenging for honours: Farnham, Gloucester, and Walton & Hersham. And for comparison, you probably noticed that Gosport have played four teams which Wimborne have also faced.
After that disappointing opening-day 2-0 loss at Basingstoke, Tim Sills’ Wimborne are six games unbeaten: a 3-1 win over Havant & Waterlooville, a 2-2 draw with Uxbridge, a 1-1 draw at Farnham, a 3-0 Dorset derby win over Weymouth, a 5-2 FA Cup victory at Bishops Cleeve, and Saturday’s excellent 3-0 win at Berkhamsted. Manager Sills has been carefully rotating his small squad so will be pleased to have Sam Roberts back in contention. But his players will only have three days recovery before Saturday’s potentially lucrative cup tie with Bath City at the Wyatt Homes Stadium.
Looking at registered squad sizes, Gosport’s is ten more than Wimborne’s. Amongst their signings during the close-season, Hollands and Glenn Howes brought in Ethan Taylor and Adam Tomasso from Totton, and Trevor Caborn from Winchester. Charlie Wassmer in defence, and Dan Wooden in attack have bags of experience. And a couple of familiar names in the squad are Charlie Gunson and Kaya Tshaka who have both been Magpies.
In terms of other connections between the clubs, Wimborne’s Josh Carmichael and Tim Sills both played for The Borough in the FA Trophy final at Wembley in 2014 under boss Alex Pike. They will have fond memories of playing at Privett Park, but that’s not the case for Wimborne as a team during their Southern League days. In Division One South and Premier South we’ve played there five times, and last season, when Will Fletcher scored a late equaliser, was the first time we’ve bagged a point. Although we have won four and drawn one of the six league matches at home, including last season’s 1-0 when Matty Burrows scored early.
If the first month is anything to go by, this division is going to be really intriguing, with every game a different challenge. And this fixture, at a proper non-league stadium, has all the ingredients for being another cracker. If you can get there, Tim’s team will appreciate your support.
Gosport’s Ground: Privett Park, Gosport, Hants PO12 3SX – circa 50miles
Average Attendance: 954
Admission: Adults £14; concessions £9, U16s £5, U12s free
Weather Forecast: cloudy; 17oC; 70% chance of rain.
