After Max Bustamante had given Wimborne a first-half lead, a resilient backs-to-the-wall performance by the mighty Magpies came within two minutes of inflicting a first defeat of the season on title favourites Farnham. Substitute Great Evans converting a second penalty deep into time added-on.

Manager Tim Sills gave first starts of the season to Owen Roundell-Prince and Seung-Woo Yang in midfield.

Farnham, having taken seven points from their opening three games, started full of confidence forcing three corners in the opening ten minutes as they tried to make their possession count. For a while their pass and move fluent football threatened to over-run the visitors. Their best early chance came when Kinnane’s long diagonal sent left-back Mason scampering forwards, he passed inside to Obi whose shot was met by a brilliant reaction save from Cam Plain.

Having weathered that early storm, the Magpies began to create their own chances. Joe Smith’s header inside was taken off Joe Ryan’s foot as he was about to shoot; and Roundell and Drew Eccott-Young combined to send Josh Carmichael charging down the inside-right channel to force a corner, and then a second. And when that was hit to the far post, in the 25^th minute, Billy Walker rose highest to send the ball back into the danger area, Bustamante’s shot hit Smith, but he reacted quickest to stab the ball into the net from close-range.

Ben Scorey stopped a Farnham attack with a great sliding tackle; Walker cleared a cross from the right by-line; Scorey headed clear; Walker headed clear. But there was action at the other end too: Smith went on a scintillating run into the area and made space for a shot which was an easy save; Ryan forced his way to the by-line for another corner; and on 41 minutes Smith appeared to be tripped in the area, but got back to his feet to cross the loose ball, and referee Harris waved “play-on”. Five minutes later, at the other end, the referee did award a penalty when the impressive right-back Dean burst to the right by-line and went down easily under a challenge. Taylor went down the middle, but his spot-kick flew over the bar.

You may recall that last Saturday Uxbridge grasped the initiative from the re-start. Well, this time it was Wimborne who did just that, forcing five corners in the opening six minutes of the second-half. From the first of Carmichael’s excellent deliveries, Seuny ran from deep and his header forced a flying tip-over from keeper Oualah. Bustamante was brought down as he raced across the edge of the area following another; and Carmichael’s 25-yard curler was clawed away by the shot stopper. On 71 minutes the keeper made another good save from Smith’s fierce drive only for Cam Munn’s follow-up to hit the post and roll across the face of the goal to safety.

Farnham were patient in possession as they probed for openings, and when one did appear their slick one-touch football took them into the danger area – only to meet Bill and Ben – those magnificent men. But our heroic central defenders needed help occasionally: Eccott-Young cleared off the line on 75 minutes; and Plain made two more crucial saves – one-on-one with Dean when he was cleverly played through, and a point-blank save to deny Jackson on 85 minutes.

Then six minutes into the eight added-on at the end of the game, Mason was played to the left by-line, his low cross came back to him off a defender, he shook off a tackle then went to ground. To the incredulity of the Wimborne team, referee Harris readily pointed to the spot. Substitute Evans wrong-footed the keeper and stroked the ball into the corner of the net. After Walker had made yet another clearance, the final whistle went.

This was a very good point on the road. Farnham have some super individuals, played some fast-flowing football, and are expected to be near the top of the table. However, manager Sills got his tactics spot on, and his team did what they were asked to do. When you look at the stats, although Farnham dominated possession, you’ll see that both teams had the same number of goal attempts. Referee Harris had three difficult “penalty” decisions to make – did he get them right? Have a look at the highlights to see what you think. That’s four penalties given against us in our four games. Your reporter could talk about the terrific contribution each and every member of Tim’s team made. But this was a proper team performance from Cam to final substitute Fin Richardson. They came so close to taking all three points, and were clearly disappointed not to have done so. A performance for we supporters to be proud of.

Wimborne: Plain, Eccott-Young, Walker, Scorey, Jackson, Roundell-Prince, Carmichael (Munn 58), Seuny (McQuoid 70), Bustamante (Williams 63), Ryan (Borges 81), Smith (Richardson 87)

Attendance: 657

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