Wimborne Town march on to Southern League West play-off final

Magpies produced a sublime display in front of a crowd of 618 at Cuthbury to seal a priceless 2-0 victory over Didcot – a team who had beaten them twice during the regular league campaign.

Wimborne will go on to host Swindon Supermarine in Monday's season finale after they beat Evesham United 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in tonight's other semi-final. 

Boss Matty Holmes named an unchanged side from the team which won 5-0 against Slimbridge on Saturday to ensure the Cuthbury club earned home advantage in the play-offs.

Didcot also made no alterations to their starting XI. They included their top scorer Felipe Barcelos up front, who had scored 24 league goals for the Railwaymen this season.

Attacking down the slope in the opening period, it was Wimborne who started the brighter of the two teams.

After Toby Holmes held the ball up to find Luke Burbidge, his blocked effort fell into the path of midfielder Louis Kellaway, whose fierce strike was charged down. Billy Maybury’s shot from range was then deflected wide of the target.

Winger Burbidge continued to cause his full-back problems during the opening exchanges.

After some quick feet allowed him find a yard of space, his fierce drive flew over the bar from the edge of the box.

Referee Dale Wootton then provided the game’s first talking point on 18 minutes. After Lovell had raced into the area, he went to ground under a challenge from a covering defender.

The match official booked the Magpies forward for diving.

But just three minutes later, Wimborne were ahead.

Maybury’s driven free-kick cannoned off the wall into the path of Toby Holmes, who coolly slotted home his 60th goal of the campaign.

And four minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage.

After Toby Holmes won the ball back from Didcot’s Cameron McNeill, Burbidge teed up Lovell, who made no mistake in adding his name to the scoresheet.

Magpies were dominant in the opening 30 minutes and they almost killed off the game through midfielder Luke Holmes.

His neat turn allowed him to work Leigh Bedwell in the away goal but the stopper stood firm to thwart the effort.

Didcot’s best chance during the opening period came when Marlon Agyakwa’s pin-point cross found McNeill, who failed to keep his header down when unchallenged.

Following the break, Magpies kept up the pressure. Luke Holmes tried his luck from 30 yards out and stung the palms of Bedwell with a shot which moved dramatically in the air.

Burbidge and Toby Holmes then surged forward and somehow failed to add a third as the visitors scrambled the ball to safety.

Didcot looked to the bench and brought on midfielder Sam Barder.

His deflected shot forced Gerard Benfield in the home goal to make a fine stop diving to his right.

But Magpies continued to push men forward and Burbidge should have wrapped up the contest on 69 minutes.

He had time to pick his spot after Lovell broke clear and squared the ball across goal, only to drag wide of the post. Lovell was then guilty of failing to hit the target after skipping away from his man on the counter.

And Magpies were given a huge let-off 14 minutes from time. Barcelos blazed over the top from eight yards out after he latched on to substitute George Reid’s cutback.

But Wimborne held firm in the closing minutes to ensure Southern Premier League football was only one game from becoming a reality.

Magpies: Benfield, Maybury, Hester, Arnold, Oldring, Kellaway, Stokoe (Francis, 60), L Holmes, T Holmes, Burbidge, Lovell. Unused subs: Cole, Davidson, Bayston, Walker.

Didcot: Bedwell, Jeacock (Thomas 81) Woodley, Hayden, McNeil, Learoyd, Agyakwa, McNish, Barcelos, Murphy (Barder, 56), Williams (Reid, 56). Unused subs: Cattell, Humphries.