MATCH REPORT: Wimborne Town 3-2 Tavistock

Wimborne Town 3

Tavistock 2

Sat 9th March 2024

Goals: Neale, Walker, Carmichael

Att: 626

In a game they dominated, Wimborne had to dig deep to finally quell a resilient Tavistock side who equalised twice before succumbing to Josh Carmichael’s superb late free-kick. Manager Tim Sills made one change from the team who had played so well at Mousehole, Lewis Beale replacing the recalled Matty Burrows.

As you’d expect from a team on a seven-game unbeaten run, Wimborne started full of confidence as their slick passing game sliced through Tavistock’s midfield. Sam Griffin’s cross from the left was headed over by Jack Lovell; Cam Munn fired wide of the far post after a scintillating four-man move through the middle; Lewis Beale’s electric run down the right resulted in a super save by Dearing; and Sam Jackson’s dipping cross eluded Lovell and Beale. Billy Walker’s cushioned header gave Harry Morgan and Munn the next opportunity to go forwards; then Jackson, Griffin and Lovell combined. Attacks were coming down the right, down the left, and through the middle. It was fabulous football – all that was missing was a goal!

After Prynn reminded everyone that there were two teams on the pitch when his shot was deflected for a corner, the Magpies came even closer to that opening goal on twenty-eight minutes. Sam Jackson’s header from Matty Neale’s corner was blocked on the line, only for the follow-up to go over the bar. To much relief, that opening goal came on thirty-five minutes, not from fancy football but from sheer determination deep in Tavistock territory on the right-hand side. First Beale worked hard to dispossess his full-back; then Neale did the same to another defender before firing through keeper Dearing into the far corner from an acute angle. However, the lead was to last just four minutes. Slack play on Tavi’s left gave away a cheap throw-in, then a missed attempt to clear before a cross became loose for Bowker to stab home from close-range. It was a poor goal to concede.

Two minutes after the interval, Wimborne’s lead was restored at the housing estate end. Beale’s sprint down the right wing resulted in a corner. Neale played it back to Oakley Hanger who whipped a trade-mark cross into the danger area for Walker to head home. It seemed just a matter of time before Wimborne wrapped up the points. Beale’s fierce shot brought a juggling save form Dearing; Munn and Morgan played exhilarating one-twos into the box before being crowded out; Griffin set-up Beale for another shot which was well saved. Jackson was having a commanding game at the heart of the home defence, and was always available to receive the ball when we had to start again.

But you couldn’t write-off the Devon side. On sixty-six minutes they produced a cleverly worked corner on the left which was played to Prynn on the left of the box. His low shot seemed destined to find the net inside the near post only for Ross Flitney to produce the save of the game as his long arms somehow grabbed the ball on the line. Jackson then had to race across to stop a quick counter-attack before the visitors equalised again on seventy-five minutes. That man Prynn tricked his way to the right by-line for Battle to steer the ball beyond Flitney.

Eight minutes later Wimborne went in front for a third time. Neale went on one of his mazey runs through the middle, played a delightful one-two and was up-ended inches to the right of where the “D” intersects with the penalty area. Perhaps too close to get up and over the tall wall (which was the shortest 10 yards away I’ve ever seen!). Who we gonna call – Carmichael!. To be honest, Josh hadn’t been at his sharpest since coming on as sub, but his free-kick was an absolute ripper just inside the post! Look out for it on the recorded highlights.

Tavi’s Endacott was given first dibs on the shower gel for a second yellow card, as Wimborne controlled the last few minutes. A fourth goal nearly came on ninety-five minutes when Beale was set clear on the right. He rounded the keeper only for Scarff, who had a terrific game, to race back and acrobatically clear off the line.

At this stage of the season, the result is all important. Wimborne conceded two disappointing goals, and should have scored more. But what excitement, what drama, what a cracking game of football. This is what Saturday afternoons were made for.

My final word is for the half-dozen Tavi supporters behind Flit’s goal who sang and chanted their way through the game – respect!

Stats

Wimborne: Flitney, Hanger, Walker, Jackson (capt), Scorey, Griffin, Neale, Morgan (Hoey 90+4), Munn (Carmichael 68), Beale, Lovell (Baker 78)
Unused subs: Arnold, Cocklin

Attendance: 626