After two cup ties in the last week, it’s back to Southern League action for The Magpies – and what a mouth-watering prospect it is as two of the division’s top form teams go head-to-head on Tuesday evening at The Wyatt Homes Stadium.

With just a third of the league season played, this will be Wimborne’s first reverse fixture. You’ll recall that two months ago, on a saturated 3G surface, in a match that didn’t linger long in the memory, a 75^th minute goal by Rafa Ramos gave Gosport all three points at Privett Park.

For Borough that was the start of a run of seven wins, one draw, and one defeat in nine league games which has lifted them to fifth in the table with a W8 D3 L4 GF 34 GA 25 record. A month after our Wednesday evening visit, Danny Hollands resigned to leave Glenn Howes in sole charge. The players have responded to his “more attacking philosophy”, scoring 18 times in their last six games: Hungerford (3-2), Basingstoke (3-4), Bracknell (6-1), Sholing (2-2), Poole (1-0), and their most recent game on 8^th November, away at Taunton (3-2). Since losing both their away games in August, Gosport are an impressive six unbeaten on their travels – four wins and two draws. Although Michael Fernandes bagged a brace at Taunton, and Ben Greenwood, a set-piece specialist, did likewise at Sholing, Ethan Taylor with nine and Rafa Ramos with six are The Borough’s leading league scorers.

As impressive as Gosport’s away record is, Wimborne’s undefeated league record at the Wyatt Homes Stadium, five wins and two draws, is even more so. The last three of those matches have seen Tim Sills’ young guns score 11, by six different players, and concede four – Plymouth Parkway (3-2), Yate (4-1) and Chertsey (4-1). In the past week The Magpies have played two cup ties: last Tuesday, Sills sent out a very young side, captain Ben Scorey was the oldest at 24, to hammer a full strength Hamworthy Recreation team 5-2 in the Dorset Senior Cup. Then on Saturday, against full-time Isthmian Premier Chatham Town in the FA Trophy they suffered the heartbreak of a 90+10 minute winner for the visitors after dominating the first-half.

Since our return to the Southern Premier, the three games between The Magpies and The Borough have been tight affairs: last season a Matty Burrows goal gave Wimborne victory at The Wyatt Homes Stadium, followed by a late Will Fletcher equaliser at Privett Park; and this season there was just the one goal between the teams in September.

Manager Sills will have to check how well his players have recovered after Saturday’s gruelling encounter. Cam Plain will be missing which means Kai Crampton, who performed so assuredly against Chatham, will be in goal again.

The scene is set for a competitive league game between the teams lying second and third in the current form table. There’s always a special atmosphere under the floodlights, and Gosport’s travelling support is always in good voice. The weather forecast is for a chilly evening. So wrap up warm, come on down, and get behind Tim’s team.

Match Info:

• 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.
• Weather Forecast: Light cloud; 7oC; 50% chance of rain.