Match Preview – Wimborne Town vs Poole Town (DSCup)
Please note that the venue for this tie has been changed to the New Cuthbury 3G.
In his post-match interview after Saturday’s 3-2 win at New Cuthbury over Tavistock, Wimborne Manager Tim Sills was open in saying that his main priority is the league. He’ll use this cup tie as an opportunity “to give playing time to the boys who need it”, and to have another look at some of Christer’s Reserves Team who have been playing so well this season. It’s possible that we could see Scott Arnold, Harry Baker, Josh Carmichael, Connor Cocklin, Jack Hoey, Addwell Chipangura, George Griffiths, Sonny Pike, Ben Rodwell, and Luke Sheehy – and what an exciting team that would form the basis of.
It will be interesting to see what Poole’s approach to this game is. Manager Matt Tubbs resigned last week after a disastrous run of seven consecutive league defeats, with James Ellis stepping up to be named interim Head Coach. His first game in charge saw a turnaround in fortunes as Toby Holmes and Jake Scrimshaw scored in a terrific Wednesday night win at Gosport. However, they suffered another reverse at home on Saturday, losing 1-3 to Walton & Hersham when Toby was sent off in time added-on for collecting a second yellow. That leaves the Dolphins sitting mid-table, eleven points below the play-off spots and ten points above the relegation zone with twelve games left to play. So will Ellis send out a strong side to get some momentum going, and move closer to winning a trophy in his first couple of months in charge, or will he rest key players and focus on the league campaign? As well as Toby, Poole have a couple more former Magpies in their squad – Billy Lowes, and young Kaya Tshaka who was with us on loan from Eastleigh last season.
Whichever players are in the starting line-ups, they will view this as an opportunity to show “the boss” that they deserve consideration for the bigger games. And this competition represents a great opportunity for players and clubs to bag some silverware. Wimborne last won the Dorset Senior Cup in 2018; Poole are the current holders.
The story of the Dorset Senior Cup so far this season …
- Thirteen teams entered.
- Three were given a bye straight through the first round into the quarter-finals – Dorchester, Hamworthy United and Poole.
- The other ten teams played in five first round ties – Wimborne vs Weymouth was the last of those games to be decided.
- That would have left eight teams in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately Hamworthy United then dropped out, leaving seven. One of those, Hamworthy Recreation were then given a bye straight through the quarters into the semi-finals.
- Two of the quarter-finals have already been played: Bridport beat Sherborne 3-1, and Shaftesbury won 1-0 at Dorchester.
- In their semi-final, Hamworthy Rec beat Bridport 2-1.
- The winners of our tie will visit Wessex Premier Shaftesbury in the other semi-final on 9th April. The Rockies’ most recent signing is the experienced Stuart Green from Bemerton.
Please be aware that there is no seating or covered areas by the 3G pitch at New Cuthbury.
Ticket prices: £5 – adult, £3 – concession, £2 – Under 18
Weather forecast: cloudy; 11oC; 20% chance of rain.
