WIMBORNE Town rose to the top of the Southern League Division One South table after a narrow 1-0 victory over Yate Town.

450 brave souls watched on in miserable conditions as Harry Baker notched his 10th league goal of the campaign in the first half to hand Magpies all three points.

Following a 3-1 defeat away at Bideford, manager Tim Sills made four changes.

Goalkeeper Ross Flitney was restored to the starting line-up following his return from injury, whilst Sam Griffin and Cam Munn were handed first starts since joining from Hamworthy United.

Fellow former Hammer Billy Walker was also drafted in, with Bert White, Sam Roberts, Jack Lovell, and Lewis Beale all making way.

The away side quickly tested Flitney in the Wimborne goal, Callum Hutton’s long-range drive drawing a low stop from the veteran.

Wimborne’s early forays largely stemmed from full-back Oakley Hanger, who delivered balls into the Yate box that could not be turned goalwards.

The wet pitch at New Cuthbury was not conductive to free flowing football, the conditions asking questions of both teams.

A huge clearance from Aaron Sainsbury in the Yate goal found its way to the other shot stopper, Flitney tracking back to collect the ball before it could travel over the line.

Wimborne came close to an opener midway through the half, Connor Cocklin’s header from a Josh Carmichael corner cleared off the line.

But another corner would produce the game’s only goal, shortly before the break.

This time the deliverer of the dead ball was Matty Neale, who swung the ball into the box.

Sam Jackson arrived to thunder a header onto the bar, with Baker reacting quickest to nod home.

Yate used the entirety of the second period to hunt for an equaliser, with Wimborne unable to alleviate the pressure by testing Sainsbury at the other end.

But in truth, Yate we unable to convert their possession into chances that threatened Flitney and the Magpies’ goal.

Ryan Lewis-Hillier smacked the foot of the post in added time, the most potent opportunity the away side could muster.

Thanks to fellow promotion rivals Bemerton Heath Harlequins defeating previous league leaders Willand Rovers 4-2, Magpies now sit in first after 10 games.

Magpies: Flitney, Hanger, Walker, Cocklin, Jackson; Neale, Carmichael, Bedford, Griffin (Beale, 85), Baker (Lovell, 73), Munn (Scorey, 60).

Unused subs: Satterley, Roberts.

Booked: Cocklin, Hanger, Munn, Flintney.

  • Elsewhere, Poole Town’s FA Trophy clash at home with Bracknell Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The game has been rearranged to Tuesday, October 31.