Southern League Division One S&W

Bridgwater Town 1 Wimborne Town 0

NEVER mind the quality, feel the width - and it was the width of the crossbar which enabled Town to record the double over financially stricken Wimborne, writes Mark Hollidge. 

Twice the visitors beat Jake Viney and Town had to be grateful for the sturdy woodwork behind him.

However the visitors’ profligacy in front of goal came back to bite them when Shaun Anthony poached a late winner.

Over the course of the 90 minutes Wimborne certainly had more possession and created more danger than Town managed.

They had their first chance on 10 minutes when Mark Ford’s cross seemed to catch powerful centre forward James Stokoe by surprise and he chested the ball wide.

Ten minutes later Town went close - Josh Wadham was sent clear by a sublime pass and as he closed in on goal from the right flank, he set himself for a measured low shot to keeper Patrick O’Flaherty’s right, but the tall keeper showed great agility to push the ball aside.

The crosswind was making it difficult for the players but the game, although a bit scrappy, had enough in it to interest the fans.

Wimborne had a strong spell leading up to half time and Town were fortunate to reach the sanctuary of the dressing room still level.

Sam Bayston missed to the right as Viney rushed towards him and Ford scuffed the ball straight at Viney from 12 yards.

On 42 minutes Ford’s 20 yard drive struck the underside of the crossbar and Stokoe knocked in the rebound - but Stokoe had been loitering in an offside position.

Right on half time Viney again denied Ford.

Ford had yet another chance early in the second half when a missed tackle allowed him to race clear again. Viney again narrowed the angle and Ford shot wide of the near post. He was never going to score today.

Town, after a flat period, now got their game together for an encouraging spell of activity.

They were still somewhat shot shy but Jamie Adams had a go and thumped his long ranger about a yard too high.

Then Ibrahima Diallo, who had a constructive game, curled a left footer just outside the post.

Town’s two substitutions added some impetus and both replacements featured in the goal.

Matt Connick fed Reeko Best on the left flank, he burst through an attempted tackle and then looked up to see Shaun Anthony in space and alone.

His pass was perfect and Anthony swept the ball in confidently from 10 yards.

Could Town hold out for their eighth league win of the season?

Unfortunately the task was made more tricky when Wadham got sent off two minutes after the goal.

The referee had a good view of a two footed tackle and the red card was produced.

Town generally managed this final, testing period well but there was one worrying moment when a header from a corner kick hit the crossbar and bounced down in the heart of a crowded penalty area.

Town’s defence closed ranks rapidly, smothered the danger and hung on for three precious points.

Town: Viney, Hopkins, O’Sullivan , Adams, Palmer, White, Best, Byrne, Reid (Anthony 66), Diallo (Connick 74), Wadham: