The New Cuthbury faithful came for their first look at Tim’s new team on the main pitch at The Wyatt Homes Stadium, and they liked what they saw! Although The Whites scored a consolation in time added-on, a goal in each half by Will Fletcher and Joe Ryan were enough to give The Magpies a third consecutive victory, this time over a team from National South.

Before the game started, we marvelled at the new P.A. system – thank you to everyone involved in making that happen.

Max Bustamante had Wimborne’s first attempt on goal on 18 minutes when his shot from Drew Eccott-Young’s pull-back was well saved. On the half-hour mark Will Fletcher chased down a pass-back to Salisbury’s keeper, pinched the ball, and passed into the unguarded net from five yards. In the next minute Seuny found Fletcher who controlled the ball, took a touch, and forced the keeper into a good save. Sensing a second, Wimborne asserted their authority as Bustamante headed Josh Carmichael’s free-kick into the keeper’s arms. Next Fletcher had only one thing on his mind when receiving the ball from Bustamante – another shot, another save. Fletcher was rampant, winning every header, and giving his defender a torrid time.

The Magpies continued to make chances at the start of the second-half: Joe Ryan made space for an early shot; and Fletcher won the ball in the area and set-up Bustamante for a shot which brought another brave save. Seuny hit a great ball for Joe Smith whose shot was blocked; Lewis Williams’ speed took him clear of his defender to hit a great cross; Smith chased Plain’s free-kick, made the ball his, pulled back for Cam Munn who fired over.

Then, on 82 minutes, came the second goal which Wimborne’s enterprising performance deserved. Thirty yards from goal, Seuny responded to Williams’ call, delivered an inch-perfect cross which the flying winger headed past the keeper against the bar, and Ryan took two attempts to force the ball into the net at the far post. In time added-on, the visitors took advantage of a weak back-pass to deny Wimborne’s defence a clean sheet.

This was a really promising performance from Tim’s young team. A couple of seasons ago, the manager said he was building a squad of “starters”. Well – he’s done it again! And what a versatile group they are. Each of the new signings played their part. Your reporter has just concentrated on the action in front of Salisbury’s goal. But we all saw what a class act Josh McQuoid is – his positioning was excellent, his decision-making spot on, and he hits a mean diagonal. And a special mention for trialist A at left-back in the second-half, he had a cracking 45 minutes. Of course it’s only a pre-season friendly, but the New Cuthbury faithful really liked what they saw.

Starting line-up: Plain, Eccott-Young, Roberts, Scorey, Jackson, McQuoid, Carmichael, Seuny, Bustamante, Williams, Fletcher

Used subs: Munn, Ryan, Smith, Richardson, trialist A

ATT: 515