SEEMINGLY doomed Wimborne Town put up little resistance as they were thumped 5-0 at home by playoff-chasing Yate Town, reports Graham Dunn.

Yate raced into a 2-0 goal lead after fourteen minutes, putting the game into a stranglehold.

The Bluebells added three more in the second half to inflict a humiliating defeat on the Magpies at New Cuthbury.

Manager James Stokoe made one change from the team which gave such a battling performance against Truro on Saturday, with goalkeeper Gerard Benfield fit again to re-take his place at the expense of Lewis Gunstone-Gray.

The start was delayed by five minutes due to the late arrival of the visitors, but they wasted no time in asserting themselves.

It was no great surprise when Yate took the lead on nine minutes, as Mark Jamison tried to head a cross clear only for the ball to hit a fellow defender. James Harding was onto the rebound in a flash and fired low past Benfield.

With Yate’s midfield running into space behind and between Wimborne’s back-line, they scored a second five minutes later.

Harding was again first to a ball over the defenders and coolly lobbed Benfield as he raced from his goal.

Full of confidence, Harding backed himself for the fastest hat-trick at New Cuthbury only for Wimborne’s defensive wall to block his shot from a central free-kick.

The Magpies did have the occasional foray into Yate territory. Curtis Young galloped round the visiting defence before firing over, whilst Dan Bartlett’s cross was just too high for Young at the far post.

Yate continued to look the more likely to score, especially when tall central defender Matt Bower trundled forwards to use his physical attributes to great effect.

Scott Arnold had to head a dangerous ball over his own bar, before Benfield made the save of the game in the 40th minute.

The home defence played themselves into trouble instead of clearing the ball which was laid back to Oliver Mehew, whose stinging shot was brilliantly turned behind by the shotstopper.

In the early stages of the second-half, Young had a half-chance from Harry Morgan’s header; Bartlett’s dipping cross fell between two defenders; and Young’s individual charge was stopped by the last man.

But the away side were quick to press and weathered the mini-storm.

On 63 minutes, it was Yate who scored the crucial third goal.

A long throw from the right resulted in a blocked shot, with Harding once again well-placed to pounceon the rebound for his hat-trick.

Yate’s fourth came on 81 minutes, this time Harding was the provider as he flicked a cross on for Mehew to score from 6 yards.

The fifth and final goal came three minutes later when Luke Hopper was first to a cross from the left, turning quickly to fire home.

Wimborne did fashion a couple of chances in the closing minutes when Morgan first headed Bartlett’s free-kick goalwards, then had two shots blocked.

Referee Iain Parsons drew proceedings to a close to save the Magpies from further embarrassment.

Wimborne: Benfield, Gidaree, Arnold, Jamison, Morrison, Roberts, Kellaway (Bosma 66 (Mason 80)), Bartlett, Morgan, Young (Bedford 62), Beale

Unused subs: Gunstone-Gray, McWilliams

Attendance: 200