Another home game, another victory – that’s four on the bounce at The Wyatt Homes Stadium. The move of the game led to Will Fletcher’s goal just before half-time to extend Wimborne’s undefeated run to eight games. Once again The Magpies’ back-line was in excellent form and keeper Cam Plain rarely had a save to make.

Manager Tim Sills made one change to his starting XI, Jack Lovell coming in for Jez Bedford. Harry Baker was on the bench after returning from his loan move to Melksham.

Despite the overnight rain, the pitch was hard and bobbly which made it difficult for both sides. Wimborne made a promising start. On seven minutes, at the housing estate end, Cam Plain’s clearance was flicked on by Will Fletcher for the racing Matty Burrows whose shot was saved by keeper Rutter, Jack Lovell headed the loose ball back into the danger area before a follow-up shot was blocked for a corner, that ended up with Sam Jackson who crossed for Burrows to fire narrowly wide.

Three times Owen Roundell-Prince launched his prodigious long throws into the danger area. From the third, on 14 minutes, Josh Carmichael’s 20-yard volley dipped inches over the bar. Will Fletcher was having a great battle in the air with his defenders (winning most of the time), while Sam Roberts was having a right physical ding-dong with Parkway’s experienced centre-forward Matt Wright. And it was that man Wright who gave the visitors their only shooting opportunity of the half when he robustly challenged Plain for a high cross only to see Hall wildly fire the loose ball high and wide.

It was the home side who were creating, and spurning, the chances: Carmichael fired wide from distance; Cam Munn’s clever feet made room for a shot which he pulled wide; and Lovell headed Carmichael’s free-kick over. Chances were spurned until the 42nd minute, and a contender for goal-of-the-season. In the inside-right channel Carmichael, with the outside of his right boot, hit an inch-perfect volleyed pass to Munn wide on the left, his first-time arrowed cross was crashed home by Fletcher from close range. It was as good a goal as you’ll see at any level – look out for the video replay – three brilliant touches. It was a stunning goal!

Parkway made the better start after the break but couldn’t take advantage of a Plain miss-kick, and a free-kick at the top of the “D” which Dean blasted over the wall, over the bar, and very nearly over the roof. Harvey Wright made a great tackle in the area, Jackson raced back to intercept, and when Billy Walker replaced the bloodied Harvey Wright, he made a couple of trade-mark clearing headers and a tackle which stopped an attacker in his tracks.

But Wimborne continued to make the better chances: Fletcher sent Burrows through only to be denied by an excellent save from the Parkway keeper; Fletcher’s header from Matt Neale’s corner was saved low down; Jez Bedford’s brilliant control and turn in the centre-circle sent Burrows through only for the excellent Rutter to get a hand to the ball as the flying winger tried to go round him; and Burrows danced in from the right before forcing the shot-stopper into another fine save.

The visitors were still in the game and launched a number of high balls into the area, but Plain’s handling was secure. And he had to use his whole body to deny Thomson when he was played through the inside-left channel on 89 minutes. The keeper then easily caught Thomson’s header from the resulting corner. Wimborne almost doubled their lead in the third minute of the five referee Harrison added-on. Bedford went on a twinkling run through the inside-right channel which left floundering defenders in his wake before his shot cannoned off the far post. Shortly after came a final blast of the official’s whistle and Wimborne had bagged another three points.

To be honest, Wimborne weren’t at their best for this Non-League Day fixture. Parkway are a decent team, and battled all the way. But Tim’s team did what they had to do to secure the points, and as you’ll see from the match stats, deserved the points. Oh, did I mention that the boys are now eight games undefeated, have only conceded four goals in those eight games, have recorded 11 league clean sheets, and have won four consecutive home games. The win moves Wimborne up to eighth in the table.

Wimborne: Plain, Eccott-Young, Roberts, Wright (Walker 61), Jackson, Roundell-Prince, Carmichael (Neale 66), Munn (Morgan 79), Lovell (Bedford 52), Burrows (Baker 88), Fletcher

Attendance: 785

Match stats: