WIMBORNE Town boss Tim Sills hailed his side’s “controlled” and “professional” display as they swept aside Bashley 4-0 at New Cuthbury.

A bumper crowd of 1,229 were in attendance for Magpies’ final match of 2023.

And they were treated to a resounding home victory, courtesy of goals from Sam Jackson, Billy Walker, Ben Scorey and Sam Griffin.

It means Wimborne have now completed the league double over Bashley, having lost twice to the New Forest side last campaign.

Speaking to Magpies’ media, Sills said: “Earlier in the season away we kind of exorcised that ghost from last year a little bit.

“(Saturday) was all about trying to make sure we got an impressive six points against a side that have sometimes been a thorn in ours.

“I thought it was a controlled, measured, professional performance.

“I didn’t think we were at our best. That’s the frightening thing really, the fact there’s still room to improve in areas.

“We were much more clinical, which was nice, and we could’ve had another two or three goals.

“But fantastic to do it in front of such a big crowd as well.”

Wimborne sit top of Southern League Division One South, although second-placed Cribbs are level on points with a game in hand.

Ollie Cherrett’s Bashley are down the other end of the table, just six points clear of the relegation zone.

“I think in the first 10 minutes we really struggled to settle into the game,” said Sills.

“I said to the boys at half-time, I didn’t think we were doing the nasty stuff well enough in terms of winning the first and second ball and getting around it.

“We just looked a little bit nervy maybe.

“We settled into it once we started playing our football.”

He added: “It’s good that we’re creating chances, good we’ve started taking them and it’s good for the goal difference.”

Magpies go to rock-bottom Exmouth Town on Saturday (3pm).