Wimborne came away with three valuable points with a 1-0 win against an Abingdon side which had been on a poor run of form in recent games, David Briggs reports.
New Magpies signing Shaun Brian came into the starting line-up and crowned an impressive debut by scoring the winning goal midway through the second half.
It was a poor first half with neither side settling into any sort of rhythm. Wimborne put together some promising moves, but it was the home side who had the greater number of shots, though most were well off target, and Dan Ackerman was never. really challenged.
By contrast, Wimborne seemed to be shot shy, preferring to try to get the ball to an opponent, who was generally not in any better position. They managed only three shots in the half: two free kicks from Mickey Hubbard, one not far wide of the near post, the other straight at the keeper, and a decent try from Matt Kemble who did well to get a shot in when under pressure from two defenders.
The half time team talks had their impact and the second half was much better, with Wimborne especially settling down to some positive football. A couple of good positions were wasted by being caught offside, but on 55 minutes Tom Jeffes collected a good pass from Jamal, who had an outstanding game, outside the area and beat the keeper with a low shot which went outside the post. A couple of minutes later Kemble just couldn’t make up the ground to get on the end of a curling cross by Jordan Cole.
Wimborne were comfortably on top, and their pressure paid off on 66 minutes when they were awarded a free kick by the right touchline. Hubbard laid the ball back to Tom Hill who looped it into the middle of the six yard box; Shaun Brian, the keeper and a defender all went up for the ball, and it was Brian who was credited with the touch that gave Wimborne the lead.
Abingdon responded with a header which clipped the top of the crossbar and another just wide of the post and they now came more into the game in search of an equaliser, looking more dangerous than at any time in the game.
On 90 minutes Wimborne had chance to ease the pressure when Hill squared the ball to Russell Cook, who had come on as a substitute, but with only the keeper to beat he pulled his shot wide. This set up a final onslaught by the home team, who threw all eleven men into attack, bringing back memories of the last match in which Wimborne had conceded a two goal lead in the closing minutes.
There was some frantic goalmouth action, last ditch defending by Wimborne and more goal attempts just outside the sticks, but as the ball once more just cleared the Wimborne crossbar the ref. put the whistle to his mouth and called an end to the proceedings, with a relieved Wimborne team carrying away all three points.
Wimborne Team: Ackerman, Arnold, Cole, Roast, Brian, Hill, Jamal Bajandouh, Hubbard, Kemble (Webb 77), Jeffes (Cook 74), Davidson (Magookin 86). Subs not used: Hunt, Fisher
