Recap
Match Report
The Peacocks gained their first win at the Cuthbury since March 2014 with an accomplished display. The home side had the better of the early exchanges but once the Peacocks settled there was only going to be one winner.
Wimborne keeper Cameron Plain was called into action early on, saving from Andrew Neal and palming away a deflection off his own defender Sam Poole, while Jamie Short arrowed a left footer just over the angle and then forced Plain to save another 20 yard strike. In response Franklyn Clarke fired a shot wide of the post.
The opening goal came after 20 minutes and it followed a Shane White corner. Bristol City loanee Zac Smith curled a ball into the far post where Bradley Webb headed against the woodwork, the loose ball finding Matt Wright to force the ball home between Plain and the near post. The goal was adjudged to have just crossed the line so credit to the assistant referee who was perfectly positioned to make the judgment.
Wimborne had the chance to equalize after 35 minutes but skipper Billy Maybury’s close range attempt following a corner went over when it looked easier to score. Town punished their hosts when they doubled the lead just a minute later. Harry Kite won the ball from Luke Holmes on the edge of the box, lobbed over Plain before being forced wide but did well to compose himself and cross into the path of last season’s top scorer Andrew Neal, whose powerful finish gave him his first goal of the season.
The visitors continued to push forward and did not want the half time whistle to go but they carried on attacking in the second half. Wright played Neal through on the left and his half volley was pushed wide by Plain while the Peacocks’ skipper himself tried his luck from just outside the box but saw his shot go wide. He then had an even better chance to double his tally on 67 minutes when he headed against the post after getting on the end of White’s inviting cross in from the left.
The away supporters only had to wait another three minutes for another goal though and it came from the penalty spot after substitute Dan Sullivan’s first real attack resulted in a foul by Wimborne defender Josh Buck. Having opened his account for the season earlier in the game Neal made no mistake from the spot and the points were heading back to Somerset.
Wimborne rarely threatened, the loss of prolific goalscorer Toby Holmes to rivals Salisbury over the summer reducing their attacking potency, and the Peacocks were able to see out the game and earn their first clean sheet of the season.
Game Details
Match: Wimborne Town vs Taunton Town
Date: August 24, 2019
Competition: Southern League
Venue: Cuthbury
Kick Off: 3.00pm
Attendance: 365
Line-Ups
Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Jamie Short, Bradley Webb, Ben Adelsbury, Ed Palmer, Jamie Price, Shane White, Harry Kite, Matt Wright (captain) (Dan Sullivan 66), Zac Smith (Ollie Chamberlain 71), Andrew Neal (Jack Rice 77). Unused subs: Lewis Hall, Ryan Brett
Wimborne: Cameron Plain, Billy Maybury (captain), Josh Buck, Sam Davidson, Sam Poole, Carl Pettefer, James Stokoe (Sam Bayston 84), Luke Holmes (Tony Lee 63), Kieran Roberts (Curtis Young 63), Luke Burbidge, Franklyn Clarke. Unused subs: Joe Byrne, Stefan Penny
Officials
Referee: Iain Parsons (Salisbury)
Referee’s Assistant 1: Kristian Guyett (Salisbury)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Timothy Bunt (Salisbury)
Match Photos
The Albert Goodman Man Of The Match
Jamie Short being presented with his award by Peacocks’ supporter John Bull.