“I don’t Know how I feel about that” was the general response of the Wimborne fans after watching their team concede five goals in the first 18 minutes, but then outplay a strong Gosport team for most of the remainder of the game in an impressive but ultimately futile fight-back, David Briggs reports.
Wimborne made a truly awful start. Justin Bennett gave Gosport the lead after only two minutes, and by the 18th minute Wimborne were trailing by five goals, with Bennett having completed a hat trick. While Dan Ackerman should have done better with at least two of the goals, he was left pretty exposed by the players in front of him. He certainly could have done little with the third goal, a superb free kick by Adam Wilde which curled into the top near corner of the net.
It looked as though things could only get worse for Wimborne, but they settled in and stopped the rot. On 24 minutes Steve Cuss made two changes, with Rob Clowes replacing Mark Jamison in the back four, and Max Cream replacing Brad Magookin. The Magpies then took the initiative and were the better team for most of the remainder of the game, attacking with pace and good passing football.
Chances began to emerge, with Matt Kemble having a shot deflected outside the post and Jamie Davidson hitting a 20 yard drive not far outside the top corner of the net. On 34 minutes Jamie ran onto a great though ball to the right of the penalty area, beat two defenders and rounded the keeper before putting the ball into the net.
More chances came and another deflected shot from Kemble, which was tipped round the post by keeper Nathan Ashmore. And on 45 minutes came Wimborne’s second when a half cleared ball ran into the path of Ryan Wignall who, from 25 yards, scored with a slight deflection into the bottom corner of the net. Wimborne’s intentions were clearly demonstrated by George Webb chasing the ball into the net and running back to the half way line with it to ensure that no time was lost.
The second half started with a golden opportunity for Gosport to increase their lead, but Lee Molyneaux blazed the ball wide from a good position. But Wimborne regained control and for much of the half repeatedly threatened the home goal. The attacking play was fast and imaginative, with Max Cream posing a constant threat down the right with scintillating runs and telling crosses.
On 70 minutes Jamie Davidson was tripped as he cut inside a defender but the ref had presumably not seen th e foot to Jamie’s ankle and instead of the penalty showed the Wimborne player a yellow card. But five minutes later Jamie added his second goal with a shot from the edged of the area which deflected into the corner of the net. With Wimborne fully committed to attack, Gosport had their own opportunities, but were unable to find the target to end several promising breaks.
With eight minutes remaining, Ryan Wignall limped off to be replaced by Nathan Lynch. Almost immediately the play was held up for a lengthy period after Gosport Manager, and Wimborne legend, Alex Pike collapsed on the sideline. Fortunately, after on-site medical treatment for low blood pressure, he did not need hospital treatment, though apparently still feeling pretty rough.
The game eventually resumed with Wimborne still pressing. Lynch headed over, and Kemble had two chances around the six yard box, both of which were saved by the keeper, but in the end Wimborne couldn’t do enough to make up for such a bad start.
Wimborne Town: Ackerman, Arnold, Cole, Peprah-Annan, Jamison (Clowes 24), Magookin (Cream 24), Davidson, Webb, Kemble, Wignall (Lynch 83), Jeffes. Subs not used: Dear, Collins.
