Ah, the magic of the FA Cup! For teams in the lower levels of the non-league pyramid, the dream is to reach the First Round Proper; for those higher up the pyramid, the dream is to reach the Third Round Proper. Wimborne have achieved the former just once, in 1982 when, as the lowest ranked team left in the competition, they lost 4-0 at Fourth Division Aldershot; Bath have achieved the latter six times, most recently in the 1993-94 season when they lost in a replay to Second Tier (it was called the First Division back then) Stoke City.
On their way to the First Round in 1982, Wimborne had beaten Bridport (3-2), Falmouth Town (2-1) and St.Blazey (3-2) before being given a home draw in the Third Round Qualifying against…. Bath City. At the time, Bath were in the Alliance Premier League, one step below the Football League. The Magpies were four levels below that, in the Western League First Division along with Bath City Reserves! A crowd of 527 filled Cuthbury to see Billy Cannie’s fifth minute goal win the tie for The Magpies – it was the only time the two teams have played against each other. In the next round Wimborne defeated Merthyr Tydfil, again 1-0 to clinch that dreamed-of spot in the First Round.
Forty-three years later, Darren Way’s Romans are sitting 17th of 24 in National South with a W2 D3 L3 GF 7 GA 10 record; they are undefeated on their league travels: Worthing (1-1), Salisbury (1-0), Ebbsfleet Utd (1-1), and, on Saturday, Chesham Utd (0-0). Will Jenkins Davies is their leading scorer in the league with two.
Some illustrious players have donned The Romans’ shirt in the past including Tony Book, Stan Mortensen, and Alan Skirton. And Malcolm Allison’s first management position was in charge of Bath in the early 60s. The club’s history will make fascinating reading in our matchday programme.
After Wednesday evening’s 1-0 loss on Gosport’s sodden 3G surface, Wimborne are currently 8th of 22 in Southern League Premier South with a W3 D2 L2 GF 12 GA 7 record; they are undefeated at their Wyatt Homes Stadium home: Havant & Waterlooville (3-1), Uxbridge (2-2), and, on Bank Holiday Monday, Weymouth (3-0). In the league Will Fletcher has netted four, and Joe Smith and Billy Walker two each. In the previous round of this competition Tim Sills’ team knocked out Bishops Cleeve (5-2) with Lewis Williams bagging a hat-trick.
If scores are level after 90 (ish) minutes, there will be a replay at Twerton Park on Tuesday. The 80 winning teams from this round will battle it out in the next round before being joined by teams from the National League for the Fourth Round Qualifying.
In this round last season Wimborne were knocked out by National South Weston-super-Mare (2-0), while Bath defeated Merthyr 2-1, then Salisbury 2-1, before losing 2-1 at Aldershot in Fourth Round Qualifying.
Of course, the history of the two clubs is full of interest, but what matters now is how the teams play on Saturday. Wimborne are the underdogs, with all the pressure on their higher-league opponents. This has all the ingredients to be a cracker of a cup tie. So come on down wearing some protection from the likely rain, and cheer on Tim’s team. After all, it’s what Saturday afternoons were made for.
There will be additional catering facilities available on Saturday as a large crowd is expected.
As there’s limited parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, if you can travel by bus, bike, or on foot it would be really helpful. However, if you do decide to travel by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.
- The Morebus no.13 runs along Leigh Road from and to The Square in the town centre with stops at the bottom of Parmiter Road, a five-minute stroll from the ground.
- There is a bike park near the players’ entrance.
- A packed printed programme will be on sale.
- Admission: adults £14, concessions £8, U18s £5, U13s £2.
- Please note that season tickets are not valid for FA competitions.
- Weather Forecast: Sunny intervals; 16oC; 60% chance of rain.
