MATTY Holmes has called on his Wimborne players to "give me a reaction" when they head to neighbours Poole Town tomorrow (3pm).

Magpies suffered a heavy home defeat yesterday, going down 3-0 to Taunton Town at Cuthbury thanks to a Rocky Neal brace and Matt Wright's early strike.

The loss leaves Wimborne down in 19th in Southern League South with just two points from their four matches so far.

And boss Holmes admits he was disappointed with his side's performance at Cuthbury.

He told Radio Wimborne: "Taunton is a tough team and we know they're going to be up there at the end of the season.

"But at home we expected a bit more from our lads, especially on the ball. We gave it away too cheaply and in the end they ended up winning at a canter.

"It was just one of those days. They were physically better than us, technically as well and sometimes you've got to hold your hands up.

"We're not going to be judged on this performance over the whole season of where we want to finish.

"Taunton are a top-five team. That's what you've got to deal with in this league and if you're not quite at it, which we weren't, then you get turned over.

"It's a ruthless league. If we're not at it and we're not organised, like Saturday, then you get found out."

Carl Pettefer, James Stokoe and Sam Davidson were all brought into the Wimborne line-up, with Connor Doe among those to miss out.

But it was the visitors who got off to the bright start with goalkeeper Cameron Plain called into early action.

Wimborne struggled to retain possession and Taunton took the lead on 20 minutes when Wright reacted quickest to turn in from a corner.

Stokoe shot wide for the Magpies before Billy Maybury wasted the clearest opening of the half for the hosts, blazing off target.

The miss was punished just two minutes later when Harry Kite teed up Neal, who made no mistake.

And the win was sealed 18 minutes from time through Neal again, lashing in from the penalty spot following a foul by Josh Buck.

Wimborne are quickly back in action, heading to Poole on Bank Holiday Monday with Holmes demanding more from his players.

"I'm quite pleased that the game is Monday up there," said Holmes.

"They've got to give me a reaction. If they don't then I know that we've got to make big changes pretty quickly.

"They've got to now go out and react and get a result for the football club. I hope we've got an honest group, which I feel we have. That's why they were brought in.

"You're not going to get judged by losing against Taunton. It's no embarrassment at all. It's a shame we've lost at home, we lost at home to Poole Town this time last year 4-0 and we only had I think four points from our return. We've got two at the moment.

"We've got to stick together and just keep going."

Magpies: Plain, Maybury, Buck, Davidson, Poole, Pettefer, Stokoe (Bayston, 86), Holmes (Lee, 65), Roberts (Young, 65), Burbidge, Clarke.

Unused subs: Byrne, Penny. Attendance: 365