A record evening attendance at the Wyatt Homes Stadium watched the latest “Stourco” derby with the result being more important than performance for two teams desperate to pull away from a relegation dogfight. There were two key moments in the game: on 39 minutes referee Harrison deemed Charlie Davis’s tackle dangerous and immediately flourished his red card; and on 88 minutes Josh Carmichael’s corner was deflected into the net, maybe by Will Fletcher, maybe off a Poole defender. It wasn’t a fixture full of flowing football, but it was tense and dramatic as both sets of players gave everything for their cause.

Manager Tim Sills made two changes to his starting XI: Owen Roundell-Prince protecting the back-line, and Jez Bedford wide in midfield.

After kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes to allow the large queue of spectators entry, both teams took time to settle. Jez Bedford’s snap shot on 11 minutes was the first of the evening but went well wide at the housing estate end; at the other end Davis’s 30-yard central free-kick was blocked by the hosts’ defensive wall. Gradually The Magpies gained control: Owen Roundell’s 25-yarder was inches wide of the target; Toby Holmes’ shot on the turn was blocked by Staunton; Matty Burrows and Harry Morgan combined down the left to instigate pin-ball in the Poole area before Bedford’s goal-bound drive from 12 yards was brilliantly blocked on the line by Thomas; and Cam Munn’s “now you see me, now you don’t” dribble resulted in Bedford blasting over the bar.

Then, with just over five minutes of the half remaining, Davis jumped into a reckless challenge on skipper Sam Jackson right in front of referee Harrison. The official had no hesitation in flourishing his red card. Matty Burrows, whose runs were unsettling the Poole defence, launched the free-kick from wide on the left; it bounced in the penalty area with keeper Taylor making a spectacular finger-tip save to divert the ball for a corner. The Dolphins’ determined defenders blocked Sam Jackson’s shot, and the keeper made another fine save from the follow-up.

The second-half opened in near dramatic fashion: at pace, Holmes gathered Jackson’s over-the-top pass only to be thwarted by the legs of keeper Taylor who was fast becoming Poole’s man-of-the-match. With a man short, The Dolphins allowed The Magpies copious possession in their own half as Jackson, Sam Roberts and Harvey Wright moved the ball, and the Poole midfield, from left to right and back again, before breaking forwards. That man Taylor made a sprawling save at the feet of Holmes; Bedford’s cross from the by-line was scrambled away; Whisken bravely blocked Morgan’s shot; Roundell and Burrows combined to send Morgan charging into the box from the right ending with the side-netting billowing; Will Fletcher’s shot from an acute angle brought another fine finger-tip save from Poole’s shot-stopper; and Burrows shot on the run from a short corner flew wide.

With time running out, Wimborne made the breakthrough from their 11th corner. Fletcher leapt for Josh Carmichael’s inswinger with a couple of defenders and the ball ended up in the net. You’ll have to watch TBTV’s highlights for a definitive answer on who scored, but, as you’d expect, a hungry striker claimed the goal, and your match reporter isn’t going to argue with big Will.

Referee Harrison signalled an additional six minutes. Poole’s Diaz launched a long throw into the danger area, keeper Taylor launched a free-kick from the half-way line from which Hewlett’s shot was bravely blocked – this was Poole’s first attempt on goal of the half. At the other end, another Burrows’ run ended with a wild shot, and Jack Lovell went past Taylor but could only find the side-netting.

You’ll see from the stats below that Tim’s team deservedly bagged the bragging rights, but, more importantly, a precious three points which lifts them to 15th. More tough challenges await, but four points from the league leaders and a tense local derby will do very nicely. It’s going to be an exciting last third of the season.

Wimborne: Flitney, Eccott-Young, Roberts, Wright, Jackson, Roundell-Prince, Morgan (Walker 90+2), Munn (Carmichael 58), Bedford (Lovell 61), Burrows (Neale 90+3), Holmes (Fletcher 66)

Attendance: 2,094

Match stats: