Our last fixture of a tumultuous 2024 is the first visit of Gloucester to Wimborne. The Tigers were relegated from National North last season, but are making a determined effort to bounce straight back to Step Two.

Mike Cook’s team sit 3rd in the table with a W12 D6 L3 GF 39 GA 30 record. On their travels their record is W3 D5 L2. Dig a little deeper and we’ll find that those away results include three of the most remarkable scorelines of this season. On the opening day of the campaign, Gloucester travelled to Taunton, who were relegated from National South and under new management. The Tigers found themselves 3-0 down within half-an-hour of the season starting, but a half-time team talk and three goals in seven second-half minutes, with skipper Joe Hanks bagging a brace, rescued a point. Then, just over a month ago at Walton & Hersham, The Tigers found themselves in a more dire situation, 4-0 down just after the half-hour mark. Another half-time team talk, another three goals in 12 second-half minutes, another brace by the skipper with an equaliser in additional time. Then, in their last away game last Saturday, The Tigers found themselves in an even more dire situation – 6-0 down after 71 minutes at Plymouth Parkway. No amazing recovery this time, but a remarkable scoreline because Mitchel Beardmore scored all 6. Manager Cook said of his team’s performance: “We were so far off it.” But his team resumed their excellent home form on Boxing Day coming from behind to beat Supermarine 3-1 with Kieran Phillips bagging a brace in front of a crowd of 1,467. A familiar face among Cook’s coaching staff is John Brough who previously managed Bishops Cleeve, Cinderford and North Leigh.

Gloucester’s away wins have come at Marlow (2-1), Tiverton (1-0), and Winchester (4-2); the defeats at Dorchester (0-1), and Plymouth. Cook’s most recent addition to his squad is midfielder Jake Evans on loan from National South Chippenham.

In the FA Cup The Tigers knocked out Paulton 2-0 before losing 0-2 at home in a replay with Gosport. In the Trophy they knocked us out on penalties (8-7) after a 2-2 draw, before bowing out at home to Coleshill (2-3). That was the second time we’d visited The Tigers this season. In our second away game in August we lost 1-0.

After last Saturday’s disappointing home 2-4 defeat by Winchester, Tim’s team scored a second league win on their travels with a determined display at Sholing on Boxing Day. Billy Walker’s goal, and a clean sheet lifting Wimborne to 15th with a W7 D3 L10 record; at the Wyatt Homes Stadium our record is W5 D2 L3. With just 48 hours between games, Matty Burrows’ early substitution on Thursday is a worry. Will Tim stick with the same starting XI or will he bring in fresh legs? However, two players who will be missing are Lewis Beale who has left for Bognor, and Harry Baker who has gone on loan to Melksham.

Gloucester have been in the top three since late August. On the two occasions I’ve seen them, they play fast, expansive football, and have technically good players. The Magpies pushed The Tigers all the way on both previous encounters. This fixture has all the ingredients of being a competitive cracker with both teams wanting the points. Come on down to the Wyatt Homes Stadium for some fresh air, friendly faces, fabulous food, and a feast of football – after all, it’s what Saturday afternoons were made for!

There’s plenty of parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, but if you do decide to park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.

The Morebus no.13 runs along Leigh Road from and to The Square in the town centre with stops at the bottom of Parmiter Road.

There is a bike park to the left of the players’ entrance.

Admission: adults £14, concessions £8, U18s £5, U13s £2.

Average att: 640

An 80-page packed, printed programme will be on sale. But remember, the programme is a double-header for both the Winchester (21st) and Gloucester (28th) matches so if you bought one last Saturday bring it along for this game too.

Weather forecast: misty; 8oC; <5% chance of rain.