MATTY Holmes declared himself “absolutely delighted” with Wimborne’s late 2-1 win at Corinthian-Casuals to round off their pre-season schedule.

The Magpies trailed the Isthmian League side after a Josh Uzun strike, although Tony Lee quickly hit back to equalise.

The game looked to be heading for draw until Wimborne’s summer signing Kieran Roberts smashed home a free-kick from 20 yards to seal victory with around five minutes to play at King George’s Field.

Speaking to Radio Wimborne, Holmes said: “It was a good challenge, that’s why we put it into the pre-season programme.

“They’re at the same level as us, but obviously in a different region.

“We knew it would be a physical test, we knew that it’s a level similar to ours and that’s what you want leading into the first league game.

“I’m absolutely delighted overall with the result. We’re not used to winning away from home, so hopefully this is a good benchmark ready for the season.”

The first half passed with little in the way of clear-cut chances, althoughWimborne tried their luck early on when Roberts headed wide from a Luke Burbidge cross. both Lee and Luke Holmes saw goals ruled out for offside before the half was out.

Lee, who netted in last weekend’s draw with Horsham, had the ball in the net again on 10 minutes, but the flag was up for offside.

Luke Holmes also went close before Roberts also just strayed beyond the last defender to see an effort chalked off.

The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes after the restart when Uzun let fly from distance, smashing a free-kick in off the post past goalkeeper Cameron Plain.

But the Magpies responded instantly as Lee delicately chipped a shot, which may have taken a nick on its way in.

Plain made two good stops midway through the half to keep the scores level and that allowed Wimborne to snatch victory in the closing minutes as Roberts stepped up to fire past goalkeeper Danny Bracken with an impressive strike.

The win rounds off Wimborne’s pre-season, which has seen them bag four victories and a draw since beginning the summer with a narrow defeat to Weymouth.

Asked if he has his starting XI in mind for the opening game of the Southern League South season against Hartley Wintney at Cuthbury on Saturday (3pm), Holmes said: “I think it’s roughly there but I think what we’ve got this year is strength in depth so you can rotate.

“We’ve got a heavy start. You go Saturday then Tuesday, a couple of lads playing against their old team (Blackfield & Langley) on the Tuesday so you might want to mix that about a little bit. and bring in personnel because The lads coming in are just as strong as the ones on the pitch.

“That’s the difference this year, we have got a strong squad to rely on.”

  • POOLE Town conceded two late goals as their pre-season programme ended with a defeat to Southern League South rivals Salisbury.

The game was goalless until the 85th minute when left-back Josh Sommerton turned in.

And the hosts sealed the 2-0 win soon after as former Dolphin Warren Bentley found the net.

Adam Grange, Harry Baker and Sam Jackson came closest to scoring for Poole before Salisbury’s late surge.

Dolphins begin their league campaign on Saturday, away at Farnborough (3pm).
During the summer, Tom Killick’s charges beat Swanage, Merley and Yeovil, but lost to Chelsea, Weymouth and Salisbury.