The Magpies’ first match in the second-half of the season is the “El Stourco” derby with The Dolphins. The reverse fixture, on a hot August Bank Holiday Monday, was decided by a 45th minute goal by Poole’s Charlie Davis in front of a crowd of 1,615. That result left Steve Tully’s team sitting 5th, while Tim Sills’ team were 14th.
That turned out to be as good as it’s been for Poole as their current seven game winless run has seen them slip to 17th with a W6 D7 L9 GF 23 GA 37 record. It’s also left them at the foot of the current form table. However, their two results over the festive period have given positive indication of an upturn in form: a 1-1 home draw with Tommy Killick’s 5th-placed Dorchester, and an excellent 2-2 draw at Totton when Tony Lee bagged a brace to rescue a point for his high-flying team. The Dolphins’ away record is W3 D4 L4 – those victories were at Marlow (2-1), Frome (3-2), and Basingstoke (3-1).
In the congested middle of the league table – three points cover the eight teams from Chertsey in 10th to Poole in 17th – Wimborne are currently 16th as one of five teams on 25 points. The Magpies’ record this season is W7 D4 L10 GF 24 GA 35. Finding the net seems to have been a problem for Dolphins and Magpies alike, only struggling Frome and Tiverton have scored fewer. At their Wyatt Homes Stadium, Wimborne’s record is W5 D3 L3 with victories over Hanwell (1-0), Hungerford (2-1), Gosport (1-0), Tiverton (3-0) and Taunton (3-0). On Saturday skipper Sam Jackson’s dramatic 95th minute equaliser against 3rd-placed Gloucester will have raised spirits of players and supporters alike.
What of previous encounters at Cuthbury and New Cuthbury since we’ve been in the Southern League from 2010 onwards? There’s just been five. There were two in Division One – Poole winning both: 1-0 in 2011-12, and 2-0 the following season. Our first season in Premier South in 2018-19 saw another Poole win, this time 4-0. The following season was our only victory, Curtis Young scoring in time added-on for a 2-1 win – however, that was in the first of the non-completed expunged seasons. The last home encounter was in April 2022 when Poole came from behind to win 4-2 with a certain Tony Lee bagging not only a brace of goals but also a brace of yellow cards.
There’s always been movement of players between the two clubs. In recent times these include Will Fletcher, Oakley Hanger, Toby Holmes, Cameron Plain and Harvey Wright.
Apart from having local bragging rights, both teams want the points to move them up the table. It’s a difficult one to predict, but, despite both teams playing four games in a mere twelve days, we can be sure that players on both sides will give their all in this one. It has the makings of being a cracker which you won’t want to miss. After all, it’s what New Year’s Day Bank Holiday afternoons were made for!
As a large crowd is expected, and the clubhouse couldn’t accommodate everyone, segregation of fans is necessary for safety reasons, as it was for the Torquay and Frome fixtures last season. Additional toilet and catering facilities will be available for ‘away’ supporters. All you need to know about arrangements can be found on the Club’s website:
There’s limited parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, so if you do decide to travel by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours. However, if you can use alternative methods of transport or share lifts that would be helpful.
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, a 5-minute stroll from the ground.
There is a bike park to the left of the players’ entrance.
Admission: adults £14, concessions £8, U18s £5, U13s £2.
Average att: 657
A printed programme will be on sale.
Weather forecast: cloudy; 9oC; 70% chance of rain.
