Match Preview – Tavistock AFC vs Wimborne Town

 

 

You wait thirty weeks for a league game against Tavistock, and then two come along in twenty-two days. That first fixture earlier in March was a five-goal thriller: twice The Lambs equalised goals by Matt Neale and Billy Walker before Josh Carmichael’s eighty-third minute stunning free-kick finally wrapped up the points in front of a crowd of 626. 

 

Since then, Stuart Henderson’s Tavistock are unbeaten in three: a 2-0 home win over Malvern; a 2-2 draw at Cribbs who equalised in the 87th minute; and a 3-3 draw at home to Larkhall on Wednesday evening – the Larks were 3-1 ahead after 17 minutes. That leaves Tavistock sitting 13th with a W11 D5 L12 GF 51 GA 56 record. At Langsford Park it’s W5 D4 L5. Those five home wins were over Cribbs (5-4) and Bishops Cleeve (3-1) in 2023, and Frome (6-2), Paulton (2-1) and Malvern (2-0) in 2024. This season The Lambs have failed to score in only two home league games, and have scored at least two in each of their last four games. Players to keep an eye on include perennial goalscorer Liam Prynn, Alex Battle who has scored three in three games, and Joseph O’Loughlin who has bagged two in two. At the other end of the pitch, Tavi have only kept two home clean sheets.

 

 

 

Meanwhile Wimborne have won twice more since that game three weeks ago – a 2-1 win at Malvern and a 3-2 win over Westbury at New Cuthbury in front of 908 spectators on Non-League Day. Those victories have kept Tim’s team at the top of the tree. The Magpies are unbeaten in ten; have won their last five; have won five consecutive games on their travels; are the division’s leading scorers; and have the second best defensive record behind Evesham.

 

Manager Tim Sills made four changes to his starting line-up on Saturday with AFCB loanee Jonny Stuttle scoring the winner on his debut. There’s six games left in this season – will Tim keep to the same line-up; will he keep to the same formation? Jez Bedford and Sam Roberts remain injury doubts.

 

 

Last season, the first time the Magpies and the Lambs had been in the same division, Wimborne completed a league double. On our first visit to Langsford Park in November, goals by Dan Bartlett and Harry Baker resulted in a 2-1 win; two months later goals by Jez Bedford and Baker sealed a 2-0 victory.

 

Tavistock are very much in the mix for play-off spots – they’re five points behind fifth-placed BMF with two games in hand. Wimborne are in a battle with Frome for that one automatic promotion place. Both teams want all three points on Saturday. Both teams are in the habit of scoring goals. This game has all the ingredients for being a cracker.

 

Tavistock’s ground: Langsford Park, Crowndale Road, Tavistock  PL19 8JR

– approx 120 miles, 12 miles north of Plymouth.

There are a few places available on the team coach – contact Paula if you’re interested.

Average attendance: 169

Weather forecast: sunny intervals; 12oC; 10% chance of rain.