Match Preview: Tavistock AFC vs Wimborne Town

Lambs return to action to face high-flying table toppers Wimborne Town.

By Luca Sperti

Tavi will be looking to continue their unbeaten run when they welcome tittle favourite’s Wimborne, to Langsford Park .The Lambs last played on Wednesday in an emphatic 3-3 draw with Larkhall Athletic in hectic conditions in Devon. Tavi took the lead in the encounter thanks to a goal from inform Exeter loanee Alfie Cunningham before Larks went 1-3 ahead in a ten-minute period. Larkhall equalised the game up in the 10th minute after a Jack Camm ball was tapped home by left-winger Max Williams. Before a Jack Camm brace put the Larks two-goals ahead, thanks to excellent work from Larkhall forward Archie Ferris who was heavenly involve in both goals. In rainy conditions Tavi pulled a goal back in the 36th minute thanks to a beautiful curling effort from top scorer Alex Battle. The Lambs equalised in the 68th minute, after a lovely Alfie Cunnigham cross was flicked into the corner, with his head, by former Yate Town man, Joe O’Loughlin. The flicked header was the midfielders second goal in as many appearances and fourth for the club. Wimborne last played on Saturday 23rd March, where they beat a resilient Westbury United at New Cuthbury in front of a crowd of 908 people during non-league day. The Magpies opened the scoring in the fixture thanks to a goal from defender Connor Cocklin, which was the defenders second goal of the season. The League Leaders then doubled their lead in the encounter thanks to goal from Matt Neale who was found by Harry Baker. In the second-half, Westbury remained positive and got their just reward through Jasper Jones in the 61st minute, which was the attackers fifth goal of the season. However, Wimborne reinstated their two goals advantage only seventh minutes later, after AFC Bournemouth debutant loanee Jonny Stuttle found the net following a through ball by Wimborne winger Matty Neale. Westbury did pull another goal back through Jasper Jones, but Wimborne held on for another crucial victory in their aims for promotion.

Wimborne are currently on a five-game winning streak which has seen them beat the likes of Melksham Town, Malvern Town, Mousehole AFC and of course Tavi at the start of March Wimborne’s victory at Malvern saw the Magpies take the lead in the encounter in the 64th minute, when substitute Harry Baker controlled a long-ball and pulled the ball back to Jack Lovell, who rolled the ball into the net. Malvern then equalised four minutes later, through Jordan Annear after a Jack Watts’ shot was blocked. However, in the 87th minute the Dorset based outfit retook the lead. The man who got the assist for the first Baker, smashed the ball into the far-corner, from the left to give the Black and White outfit all three-points. Wimborne also picked up a crucial victory against Mousehole AFC, in their last five victories, with the Magpies coming out 1-3 winners in Cornwall. The Dorset based side opened the scoring in the encounter through former AFC Totton loanee Matty Burrows. The Seagulls then responded with Kyler Fraser finding the back of the net in the 44th minute. However, in the second half, goals from Cameron Munn and Billy Walker wrapped up the victory for the black and white stripped side.

Wimborne currently lead the way in the Southern League Division South, four points ahead of fellow promising chasing Frome Town, who have played one game less than Tim Sills’ side. The Magpies have played 30 games this season winning an impressive 20 matches, as well as drawing six and losing four matches this season. Wimborne have also scored the most goals this season in the League( in 65) as well as conceding the least amount of goals (in 35). The Magpies currently sit on 66 points and even defeat at Langsford Park on Saturday wouldn’t see the Dorset based outfit leave top spot in the table. The well-supported side also have won the most away games in the League this season in eight, which is one more than Frome Town who have won seven away matches this season. Tavi are unbeaten in three matches and despite sitting in 13th place the Lambs, only see themselves outside the playoffs by five points, at the time of writing. Stuart Henderson’s side have won eleven, drew five and lost twelve of their 28 games this season accumulating 38 points in the process. A win on Saturday and with other results going their way, Tavi could see themselves move as high as ninth place in the table and only two points outside the playoffs.

The return fixture between the two sides only occurred in the beginning of March, with Wimborne coming out 3-2 winners in an eventful fixture. The table topers started the game of well and after constant pressure opened the scoring in the 35th minute, through midfielder Matty Neale. However, against the run of play, two minutes later Tavi equalised through Jacob Bowker who capitalised on a mistake by Wimborne defender Ben Scorey. The Magpies retook the lead two minutes into the second half through a Billy Walker powerful header. But the Lambs didn’t lie down and equalised the game up again through Liam Prynn, with the help of a slight deflection off the unfortunate Scorey. The Dorset based side then retook the lead, through a beautiful curling freekick from substitute Josh Carmichael. The Lamb’s defeat was compounded, when left-back Jack Endacott was sent off in the 89th minute for a second bookable offence.

Wimborne Town Key Players:

Matty Neale- The winger started his career in the academy of AFC Bournemouth where he impressed for the U18 and academy side but did not make a first-team appearance for the club. Whilst contracted to the Cherries, Neale spent time out on loan at Wimborne in the 16/17 season, where he impressed due to his versatility and work rate. The winger left Bournemouth the following season and joined near neighbours Poole Town. Whilst at Poole, Neale made a total of 20 appearances in all competitions scoring once in the National League South against Havant and Waterlooville. Whilst at Poole in step-two of non-league, Neale played in a few different positions, including playing on either flank. At Poole in the National League South Neale played against the likes of Concord Rangers, Wealdstone, and Gloucester City. After leaving Poole, Neale went on to play for Hamworthy United where he impressed in his few seasons at the club. In the 22/23 season Neale found himself at Dorchester Town. Whilst at the Magpies, Neale made 42 appearances last season in all competitions scoring five goals in the process. The wingers goals included strikes against Tiverton, Metropolitan Police and Harrow Borough. The winger also scored a brace for Dorchester last season, in the Dorset Senior Cup against Shelbourne. Neale moved to Wimborne at the start of the season, having previous work under Manager Tim Sills at Hamworthy. This season has seen Neale score four goals and get five assists in 34 games this season. The winger has scored against the likes of Westbury and Paulton Rovers this season. However the winger may also be a familiar name to Lambs fans, after the winger scored the opener goal for Wimborne against the Lambs back at the start of the month.

Jez Bedford- The 25-year-old midfielder started his career at Portsmouth as a youngster but did not make a first team appearance for the club. However, the midfielder spent time out on loan from Portsmouth at Poole Town in the 17/18 season. Whilst on loan at Poole, Bedford made 32 appearances scoring five goals in the National League South. Following his release from Portsmouth in the summer of 2018, Bedford returned to Poole on a permanent transfer ahead of the 2018/19 season. In the Premier Division South, following Poole’s relegation, Bedford made a total of 48 appearances in all competitions scoring an impressive nine goals from the centre of the park. These goals included strikes against Wimborne, Frome, and Staines Town. The next season due to an injury, saw Bedford play 17 games in a deeper number six role. Whilst in the deeper position the former Pompey man, scored once in a 1-3 win away at Hendon. Returning from the covid season in 21/22, Bedford made 14 appearances at the start of the season at Poole, before in November moving to Wimborne, who were in the same league as Poole at the time. In his first half-season at Wimborne, Bedford made 30 appearances as an all action-midfielder impressing in the middle of the park on a number of occasions. However, Bedford’s good performances were not enough to prevent Wimborne from going down. In what was Bedford’s second relegation of his short career. Last season saw the talent midfielder make 42 appearances in more of a higher role, where the attacker scored an impressive seven goals. This season has seen Bedford make 22 appearances so far, with the midfield scoring three goals. The midfielder has played a more attacking midfield role this season which he has excelled in.

 

Tavistock AFC Last five results:

Wednesday 27th March- Tavistock AFC 3-3 Larkhall Athletic

Saturday 23rd March- Cribbs FC 2-2 Tavistock AFC

Wednesday 20th March- Tavistock AFC 2-0 Malvern Town

Saturday 9th March- Wimborne Town 3-2 Tavistock AFC

Wednesday 6th March- Tavistock AFC 1-1 Melksham Town

 

Wimborne Town last five results:

Saturday 23rd March- Wimborne Town 3-2 Westbury United

Saturday 16th March- Malvern Town 1-2 Wimborne Town

Saturday 9th March- Wimborne Town 3-2 Tavistock AFC

Saturday 2nd March- Mousehole AFC 1-3 Wimborne Town

Tuesday 27th February- Wimborne Town 2-1 Melksham Town

Saturday 24th February- Wimborne Town 2-2 Cribbs Fc

 

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults: £10

Concessions (13-17 & over 65): £6

Under 12s accompanied with an adult:

FREE Limited parking is available within the car park at Langsford Park. Cash or card can be used on the turnstiles, tea hut and “The Lambing Shed.

Club Shop: We have a top of the range Club Shop, located near the Lambing Shed which features Hats, Scarves, pin badges, keyrings, and mugs. We also have a wide range of Programmes, some which are over 20 years old.