Paulton Rovers 0

Wimborne 2

Tue 30th January 2023 

Goals: Morgan, Munn

Att: 168

 

 

A goal in each half by Harry Morgan and Cam Munn, and a workmanlike team performance, were enough to send Wimborne back to the top of the table on a chilly evening in Somerset.

 

Manager Tim Sills made three changes from the team beaten at Larkhall eighteen days ago bringing in the substitutes he used that day – Scott Arnold, Harry Baker, and Lewis Beale (they’re also the first three players on our squad list in alphabetical order).

 

Wimborne had had a lacklustre opening thirty minutes in the last game at Larkhall, but it was clear from the first whistle that Tim’s team were determined it would be different this time. And it was! With Harry Baker leading from the front with his busy chasing, the Magpies immediately asserted control on the bobbly surface which “took a good stud”, taking the lead on nine minutes. With his back to goal near the penalty spot, Harry Morgan controlled a high ball, swivelled, and shot low past keeper Phillips into the net.

 

The visitors were making good progress down the left flank as Sams Griffin and Jackson combined. On twenty minutes, Lewis Beale’s pile-driver from outside the box was saved by the flying Phillips, but Griffin’s looping header from Oakley Hanger’s cross was an easier catch. Beale, playing wide on the right, came inside to bamboozle defenders before his shot was blocked. 

 

Paulton occasionally threatened but found Billy Walker in uncompromising form, and Jackson reading the game well to intercept and clear. The three times Rovers did make it into the penalty area, firstly Ross Flitney was quickly out to block a threaded through ball, then Scott Arnold was in the right place to clear Langlais’ pull-back from the by-line, and Beale was on defensive duty to head a corner away.

 

However, most of the action was at the other end. Morgan’s dinked lob created space for Baker’s shot from a tight angle to deflect off the far post; Morgan’s shot across the face of the goal was deflected for a corner which Walker acrobatically hooked back for Beale to fire over; Matt Neale stole the ball from a defender only for his driven cross to be bravely blocked.

 

Rovers did improve after the break. Player/manager Tooze set the example with a run to the left by-line; Cottle’s cross was cleared by Arnold; and a strong challenge from Walker stopped another promising attack. When an incisive move from right to left involving Baker, Josh Carmichael, Jackson, and Griffin lead to a shot by Neale, it seemed just a matter of time before the Magpies would increase their lead. That second goal came on seventy-four minutes. A cross from the left was volleyed goalwards by Beale from the right of the box for substitute Cam Munn to make his first touch a scoring one!

 

Beale and Morgan combined in a clever one-two; Beale shot over the bar when well-placed; Jack Hoey and Morgan combined on the right before a dangerous cross was cleared; and Griffin’s close-range shot in the seven minutes of added-on time was well saved. Wimborne saw out the game, and fully deserved the three points which returned the team to the top of the table.

 

It wasn’t a game which will linger long in either short-term or long-term memory, but the boys got the job done to bag an important three points which sent the large travelling contingent of supporters home happy. A first goal for Munn, a first start of the season for the skipper, and a welcome return for Hoey made those three points taste even sweeter. And how good to see Jez Bedford on the team coach supporting his team-mates. Fifteen games to go – players, management, and supporters, we’re in this together! 

 

Match stats:
Wimborne: Flitney, Hanger, Walker, Arnold (capt), Jackson, Carmichael, Neale (Munn 73), Beale (Hoey 83), Morgan, Griffin, Baker (Lovell 68)
Unused subs: Griffiths, Pike

Attendance: 168

	Magpies	Rovers
Goal attempts on target	6	1
Goal attempts off target	6	2
Goal attempts blocked	1	1
Corners	3	3
Fouls conceded	12	12
Offside	4	4
Cards	2Y	1R, 4Y