Match Preview – Wimborne vs Paulton Rovers

 

This fixture was originally scheduled for early December only to be postponed because of a frozen pitch. With the current forecast for less severe weather, we’re optimistic that this third match between the teams this season, and our second visit to Winterfield Road, will go ahead.

 

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, The Magpies 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!

 

Before then Rovers had amassed a mere eight points from their first ten games. With Tooze in charge they’ve done slightly better, taking a further ten points from their next ten, but still sit disappointingly just one place above bottom side Exmouth with a W5 D3 L12 GF 22 GA 46 record. Their goal difference of minus 24 is the worst in the division: they’re the joint lowest scorers (with Bashley); and have conceded the second highest number of goals (Exmouth have let in one more).

 

However, there had been signs of recent improvement, particularly at Winterfield Road where Rovers had an unbeaten run of three games – victories over Exmouth (2-1) and Yate (1-0), and a 3-3 draw with Mousehole (Rovers were leading 3-1 with ten minutes left) before Saturday’s 1-3 home loss to Bristol Manor Farm.

 

It’s been a stop-start two months for The Magpies – just five games played since the end of November. A 2-2 draw at Frome was followed by victories at New Cuthbury over Bishops Cleeve (1-0) and Bashley (4-0) in December. Then In January Tim’s team won 4-1 at Exmouth, before losing 1-3 at Larkhall. Injuries have side-lined Sam Roberts, Connor Cocklin, and Jez Bedford; while Dan Bartlett, Jamie Johnson and Ben Satterley have departed. The eighteen day break since the bruising encounter on Larkhall’s field should have hopefully given injuries to Sam Griffin, Jack Lovell, and Ben Scorey time to heal, and the boys will be eager to get their push for promotion going again. Frome and Cribbs both won by the odd goal on Saturday to go above Wimborne in the table.

 

 

The Magpie’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. With just one team to be relegated, Tooze’s team will want to gain a point or three from their game-in-hand over Exmouth. Tim’s team will want to return to the number one spot. This has the makings of a competitive game.

 

 

It’s really close at the top of the table. We’ve sixteen games left to play – that’s sixteen cup finals! We’re the best supported team in the division, so let’s make that count. Can you be 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.

Average league attendance: 200.