Two goal hero Jon Blake (courtesy of Simon Carlton)
Wimborne Town FC earned another valuable three points on the road this weekend, but were made to work hard for it by a struggling Bishops Cleeve side.
After starting as underdogs against Frome Town last Saturday, Wimborne had to deal with the burden of expectation this time out, starting as heavy favourites. The hosts had not won a league game this season, but ultimately their performance belied their league position, and it took every ounce of Wimborne’s resilience to come out on top in the ensuing seven goal thriller.
Wimborne started slowly, and some ponderous defending gave the hosts an unexpected 2–0 lead, until Jon Blake and Billy Maybury struck to level the score before half-time. Blake bagged his second to put Wimborne into the lead in the opening minutes of the second half, before Wimborne stopper Jason Harvell conceded a penalty and was sent off. Bishops Cleeve duly levelled again, but Mark Gamble struck through another spot-kick to give ten-man Wimborne victory, propelling the side to second in the Southern League Division One South and West standings.
After a succession of fruitful away games, Wimborne finally return home to face Tiverton Town at Cuthbury next Saturday. Kick off is 3pm. The following weekend the Magpies head to league leaders Stratford Town for a potential top of the table clash.
