Ah, the magic of the FA Cup. First-half goals by Josh McQuoid and Lewis Williams were enough for Wimborne to knock National South Bath City out of this year’s competition. Although the visitors pulled a goal back to set up a nervous last 15 minutes – plus the 11 referee Read added-on – Tim Sills’ team deservedly held on to secure their spot in Monday’s draw.

Manager Sills moved the versatile Owen Roundell-Prince into central defence to partner Billy Walker, and brought Josh McQuoid and Seung Woo-Yang into midfield.

The higher league team made a bright and confident start only to find Cameron Plain also in bright and confident form. First the young keeper made a super reaction save from Ash’s instant close-range shot; then he clutched Tomlinson’s header from a corner; before being well-placed to save another shot from Ash – and all with just eight minutes on the clock. Having weathered that storm, the home team began testing the Bath defence: Will Fletcher won two headers in midfield; Seuny crossed into the danger area from the left; Joe Ryan’s chasing forced a rushed clearance; Josh Carmichael played Fletcher through one-on-one with keeper Wiles-Richards who bravely blocked the striker’s effort; Carmichael sent Drew Eccott-Young racing down the right on an overlap; and Ryan’s shot from Seuny’s pass was saved for a corner.

Just after the mid-point of the half, and after Sam Jackson had crucially blocked a shot by the lively Jenkins Davies, The Magpies took the lead with a quality goal. Carmichael found Eccott-Young wide on the right; the full-back stepped inside, beat his man, and sent an inviting cross into the box for Josh McQuoid to cleverly cushion his header beyond the keeper. The Romans immediately responded: Beardmore was played around the top of the box before unleashing a shot which hit the bar, Fisher netted the rebound but was adjudged off-side; Owen Roundell-Prince stopped a rapid counter-attack; and Billy Walker cleared a quickly-taken throw-in.

On 37 minutes, Wimborne doubled their lead from a throw-in on the half-way line on the left. Fletcher flicked the ball on, and in the ensuing scramble the ball was loosely played back towards the Bath goal. Lewis Williams was onto it in a flash; his speed took him clear, and after he rounded the keeper the flying winger gleefully hammered the ball into the net for his fourth goal in FA Cup ties this season. Again Bath responded immediately, but Plain was alert to catch a looped cross from the by-line by Raynes.

Wimborne have not found it easy to defend a 2-0 lead going into the second-half, but today they managed the game well, and took the attack to their opponents. Williams’ speed on the left made room for a hanging cross; Ryan crossed from the right; and Jackson crossed from the left. Bath’s only attack of any note in the first 20 minutes of the half drew a brilliant flying tip-over save from Wimborne’s shot stopper, but the move was adjudged offside. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that Bath had a first legitimate attempt on goal of the half which Plain gathered with ease. However, three minutes later he was beaten by Jenkins Davies’ 25 yard drive from right of the “D” which whistled through a crowded area into the bottom corner.

Wimborne’s determined defenders, all eleven of them, restricted Bath to a couple of off-target headers in the remaining 14 minutes, and the additional 11 minutes which became 12. At the housing estate end, Ben Scorey and Cam Munn set-up Ryan for a dangerous cross; Joe Smith’s cross was half-cleared to Roundell whose optimistic shot went wide; and Smith twisted and turned to make room for a shot which was well saved for a corner. With the clock showing 102 minutes, referee Read gave a final blast, and Wimborne were through.

In Tim Sills’ first two full seasons in charge, his team had lost out to National South clubs at New Cuthbury at this stage of the competition. Today it was third time lucky – no, let me change that – there was nothing lucky about this deserved victory. Wimborne matched their higher league opponents, took their opportunities, and limited Bath to few clear-cut chances.

The only time Wimborne have played Bath before was in the FA Cup third round qualifying in 1982, winning 1-0. In the next round they knocked out Merthyr Tydfil 1-0, to reach the First Round Proper for the first and only time. Football can be a funny old game, and maybe, just maybe…..

Wimborne: Plain, Eccott-Young (Scorey 73), Walker, Roundell-Prince, Jackson, McQuoid, Seuny (Munn 50), Carmichael (Roberts 66), Ryan, Williams (Borges 97), Fletcher (Smith 80)

Attendance: 682

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