MANAGER Steve Cuss marvelled at the stellar support from his new recruits as threadbare Wimborne Town thrashed previously unbeaten Yate 4-1 last night.

Sam Griffin and Ian Oliver put Magpies two up at the break before Mark Gamble’s second-half brace sandwiched Lewis Haldane’s solitary strike for the hosts.

Cuss’s side, who climbed to fourth in Southern South & West courtesy of the result, has been decimated by injuries to key personnel in recent weeks.

Jon Blake, Patrick Wilson, Jamie Davidson and James Stokoe have all been sidelined and the boss praised summer signings Andy Powell and Tom Biles for stepping up to the plate.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “It was a really good team performance. We were strong defensively and clinical up front. I couldn’t have asked for more.

“We have a core of players with Southern League experience but I have been particularly impressed with the contribution from the likes of Tom and Andy. They have settled really well and done a great job so far.”

Cuss revealed that Wilson would require surgery on his damaged Achilles and could be ruled out until the New Year.

“It’s a real blow for us,” added Cuss. “Patrick had been in exceptional form since taking up his new midfield role.”

Magpies: Harvell, Arnold, Costello, Oliver, Brimson, Biles, Webb, Maybury, Kemble (Phelps, 85), Griffin (Powell, 89), Gamble (Burton-Hemmings, 88). Unused sub: Field (g/k).

Elsewhere, struggling Bashley lost 3-1 at Clevedon Town. Nuno Pereira netted a late consolation for the visitors.

  • Bournemouth Poppies exited the Hampshire Senior Cup with a 5-2 defeat at Wessex League rivals Petersfield Town.

Goals from Will Robinson and Connor Doe had seen Poppies fight back from two down but a pair of quick-fire goals midway through the second half ended their hopes of progress.

Tom Price was on target as Hamworthy United drew 1-1 with Fareham in the Wessex Premier.

Poppies: Vaughan, Ayrton, Sullivan, Makhloufi (Hales, 70), Jacobs (Nhemachena, 83), Doe, Toy, Robinson (Pearce, 66), Pekun, Fairbrother, Khider. Unused sub: Burgis.