Match Preview – Wimborne Town vs Paulton Rovers

 

This will be the third match between the teams this season, and our second visit to Winterfield Road. Back in August the teams played out a goal-less draw in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at New Cuthbury when  goalkeeper Bert White starred. Three days later, in front of 196 spectators, Tim’s team came out on top 2-0 in the replay thanks to first-half goals by Lewis Beale and Matt Neale.

 

There’ll be a different look to the personnel in the home dug-out this time as the experienced and prolific striker Kyle Tooze took the reins of the Somerset club at the beginning of November. Remarkably, in his first game as player / manager, Tooze bagged a hat-trick at Westbury to lead his team to a 4-3 win – not a bad start to your management career!

 

 

Here’s what Tooze said: “My philosophy is simple; my players have to work harder than the other team, win their individual battles and, most importantly, be confident on the ball. It’s also important to have a good team spirit around this, knowing that the players will run through brick walls for their team-mates.”

 

His other two league games in charge haven’t gone quite as well: a 2-4 home loss to Bishops Cleeve, and, last Saturday, a 0-4 loss at Larkhall.

 

 

For a club of Rovers prestige, they sit disappointingly just one place above bottom side Exmouth with a W3 D2 L8 GF 14 GA 28 record. Surprisingly, on the road, their record of W2 D2 L3 mirrors Wimborne’s. It’s results at their home ground that have let them down: W1 D0 L5. The one victory was over Willand on Bank Holiday Monday at the end of August; the defeats have been against Melksham (0-1), Bideford (0-1), Frome (2-7), Tavistock (0-2), and two weeks ago Bishops Cleeve. As well as beating Willand, they did win at home when knocking Isthmian League Thatcham out of the FA Cup in early August (5-1).

 

And it was Bishops Cleeve, on their 3G pitch, who dumped Rovers out of the FA Trophy 6-1.

 

 

Tuesday’s 2-1 comeback win over Larkhall, gives Wimborne a W7 D1 L0 record at home, where New Cuthbury has become a fortress for Tim’s table-topping team. But if they’re to stay in contention, that record on their travels needs improvement. The two away wins were at Bishops Cleeve (5-2) and Bashley (2-1), two goal-less draws at Evesham and Bemerton, and the defeats against Westbury (2-3), Bideford (1-3), and most recently Cribbs (1-2).

 

Jack Lovell is a striker in form with four from two games. And with competition for places hotting up, manager Tim Sills has to decide whether to keep with the same starting line-up for the third game running, or introduce some changes.

 

Wimborne’s record at Winterfield Road in the Southern League is mixed. We’ve visited eight times, winning three, drawing one, and losing four which includes two 7-0 thumpings. But it has improved under Tim, with Jez Bedford scoring in a 1-1 league draw in March, and August’s 2-0 FA Cup win.

 

As we’ve seen this season, on their day any team is capable of beating any other. And Tooze’s team will want to put right their last two performances. Tim’s team will need to be at their best to bring the points back to Dorset. It has the makings of a competitive game, and one worth watching if you can get there.

 

There are a few places available on the team coach for supporters – contact Paula.

 

Paulton’s ground: Winterfield Road, Paulton, Somerset  BS39 7RF  – 56 miles.

Their clubhouse is one of the best in our division.

If you’re driving, make sure you head west and not to Paultons Park in the New Forest!

Admission is by ticket purchased at the bar.

Adults £10; Concessions £8; Under 18’s £3, Under 12’s admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Weather forecast: sunny intervals; 2oC; <5% chance of rain – it looks like layers and long johns for me (or is that too much information).