Wimborne Town left it late to secure a spot in the Second Round of the FA Trophy thanks to an injury time winner from Max Bustamante.
In a game that will not live particularly long in the memory, the second half substitute’s fine late finish proved the difference to see The Magpies progress.
With Tim Sills keen to manage minutes and legs, he made four changes from the side that convincingly beat Dorchester last week, with Ben Scorey, Cam Munn, Alex Borges & Joe Smith coming in for Billy Walker, Josh McQuoid, Max Bustamante and Will Fletcher.
Despite both teams coming into the match with a good win last time out, the game was a slow burner. Neither the hosts nor the visitors seemed to be causing much threat at either end, and penalties almost seemed like a certainty from the start.
The early exchanges saw both sides trying to figure each other out with the odd long ball over the top, but the windy conditions were making this a difficult task.
Other than a wide shot from Joe Smith in the 14th minute, as well as a free kick from Lewis Williams late in the half which flew narrowly over the crossbar, the first half ended as it started, with the score goalless.
The second half wasn’t much different, with the Magpies trying to get forward, and Portchester happy to frustrate, sit back and make crosses and set pieces count.
From one of those set pieces, AFC Portchester nearly took the lead after centre half Jack Lee rose highest from an in-swinging cross but nodded the ball just wide of the far post.
With much perspiration rather than inspiration, it took until the second minute of injury time for the deadlock to be broken. Will Fletcher flicked on a header to Cam Munn, with the midfielder’s pass locating the oncoming runner Max Bustamante. The in-form Bustamante travelled into the edge of the area, composed himself, and slotted the ball into the far corner.
In doing so, Max also doubled his FA Trophy goal tally to two goals in two matches after his opener in the previous round against Weymouth. Interestingly the Magpies two FA Trophy games have been decided late on, with all three goals coming after the 77th minute.
There was still time for one last chance for Portchester to equalise though and in the seventh minute of injury time, Plain had to be at full stretch to tip a header over for a corner – it was a fine stop.
The full-time whistle came soon after and saw the Magpies advance into the Second Round of the FA Trophy for just the second time, thanks to a moment of magic which lit up an otherwise dull affair.
Next up for Wimborne is a home league match with Chertsey next Saturday, with the FA Trophy Second Round taking place on 15th November; the home league fixture due to take place with Taunton that day will be rearranged.
Plain; Eccott-Young, Scorey, Roberts (Walker 73’), Jackson; Roundell, Carmichael (Fletcher 58’), Munn; Borges (Bustamante 64’), Williams, Smith (McQuoid 84’)
Attendance: 572
Match Report: Tom Whittick
Match Stats:
| Magpies | Royals | |
| Goal attempts on target | 1 | 4 |
| Goal attempts off target | 2 | 3 |
| Goal attempts blocked | 0 | 4 |
| Corners | 0 | 7 |
| Fouls conceded | 11 | 11 |
| Offside | 0 | 4 |
| Cards | 1Y | 0 |
