Wimborne Town 1

Poole Town 2

Tue 12th March 2024

Goals: Hoey

This county cup-tie, re-arranged to Wimborne’s 3G pitch, appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot-out in the eighty-ninth minute when Jack Hoey equalised Toby Holmes’ first-half strike. However, Harvey Wright broke Magpies’ hearts deep into time added-on when he headed home a corner, so it’s the Dolphins who progress to the semi-final.

Manager Tim Sills made eleven changes from Saturday’s league line-up, bringing in players who needed game time, and more of Christer Warren’s young Reserves side. Poole made eight changes, leaving Toby Holmes, Kaya Tshaka and Harvey Wright among their Under 23 lads.

After Ben Rodwell had made the first save of the game, Poole’s Will Butler was in the right place to save Harry Baker’s point-blank shot from a corner on eleven minutes. The next opportunity fell to ex-Magpie Holmes who blasted over the bar as he came in from the right. Just after the mid-point of the half, Tyler Forbes tricky run down the inside-right channel released Holmes who slotted home. A rampaging run by Harvey Wright resulted in a free-kick just outside the box, but the defensive wall stood strong and repelled Harry Hutchinson’s effort.

It was entertaining fare as play flowed from end-to-end. Sonny Pike found Baker who rounded the keeper only for his effort to be cleared off the line; Rodwell denied Holmes with an excellent save; George Griffiths made a vital tackle on the edge of the area to stop a Poole attack; Finn Toghill crossed from the left by-line for Josh Carmichael sliding in at the far post, but he couldn’t get enough contact to steer the ball into the gaping net; Josh Hall retrieved a lost cause for Toghill to shoot; and Rodwell made another good save from Holmes. With both teams full of attacking intent, the only surprise was that we reached the interval with only one goal on the scoresheet.

After Rodwell had denied Forbes from close range, Wimborne made the better chances at the beginning of the second period. Griffiths found Baker who could only find the side-netting; another Baker shot was deflected for a corner; a snap-shot by Carmichael was held by Butler; Scott Arnold and Jack Hoey combined to give Baker another shot – another save by Butler; Toghill found Addwell who fired a cross into the danger area; and Baker crossed from the by-line. At the other end, Connor Cocklin made a typically brave block to deny Kaya Tshaka.

Then, on eighty-nine minutes, came the equaliser that had been threatened. Ryan Watkins made the tackle of the evening to stop Forbes on the right wing just inside Wimborne’s half. The full-back was quickly to his feet, strode forward, picked the pass of the evening for Jack Hoey who slammed the ball past Butler’s right hand – it was a cracking goal!

A penalty shoot-out beckoned. But the visitors had other ideas, and they restored their advantage in the fourth minute of time added-on. Wright, who had won every header all game, made room inside the goal area to stoop and head home Forbes’ left-wing corner. There was still time for Addwell to have a shot blocked, Hoey likewise, and Baker’s header to be saved. After seven added-on minutes, the final whistle was blown, and Poole celebrated.

It was an exciting cup-tie with plenty of good football played. Despite the disappointment of defeat, Wimborne can take many positives from the game – the future looks bright, the future looks black and white!

Wimborne: Rodwell, Hall, Pike (Arnold 69), Cocklin, Watkins, Carmichael (capt), Griffiths (Sheehy), Hoey, Chipangura, Baker, Toghill (Whetton 88)