Match Preview: Southern League Premier South
Wimborne Town vs Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 10th January 2026 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Wyatt Homes Stadium, 16 Ainsley Road, Wimborne, Dorset. BH21 2FU
Wimborne Town (The Magpies), 2025-26 Current League Position 10th
Following our fourth, deserved win on the bounce, beating Hanwell Town 3-2, with goals By Tom Blake, Ore Bello & George Reid, now appear to have the momentum to push further up the league table.
Tomorrow we play the return fixture against Wimborne Town, who we comfortably defeated 2-0 back at the start of the season. Goals that day were by George Reid & Charlie Austin’s only goal for the club, from the penalty spot.
Our Opponents
The Magpies (Wimborne’s version) continue to be managed by ex-Basingstoke player Tim Sills. Sills who made nearly 700 appearances in his 20-year playing career, which included two stints at Basingstoke. He was appointed manager of Hamworthy United in October 2019 and guided them to promotion to the Southern League and FA Vase semi-final in the 2021-22 season. He joined Wimborne in October 2022, and then they won the Southern League Division One title two years ago.
Wimborne had their midweek match called off due to a frozen pitch, so their last game was last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at lowly Weymouth. With Basingstoke’s midweek victory, the two teams switched places in the league and the Magpies now sit in tenth with a record of Pld 22 Won 8 Drawn 8 Lost 6 and 30pts. Their home record is a decent 6 wins, 4 draws and just 1 loss. They are however one of the lower goal-scoring sides in the league with just 34 goals. With this their leading goal-scorers are strikers Will Fletcher & Joe Smith with eight goals each. Fletcher, rejoined the Magpies last season, having spent time at Poole Town, Hamworthy Utd and Dorchester Town. Joe Smith has scored numerous goals initially at Downton FC, then Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Lewis Williams, has seven goals this season, after a breakthrough season at Andover New Street, having come through Eastleigh’s academy. Max Bustamante, has added five goals, and was a Chilean international at youth levels, previously played for step 3 teams, Berkhamsted and Sholing last season.
The midfield starts with Cameron Munn who established himself under Sills at Hamworthy Utd, then rejoined him at Wimborne. Also returning is Scotsman, Josh Carmichael, who in his youth was capped by Scotland at U16 and U19 levels, and made four appearances for the Cherries after coming through their academy. He has also played for numerous clubs at this level including Poole, Salisbury, Torquay, Weymouth and Totton. 35-year-old Josh McQuoid, joined the Magpies in June 2025 after spending six of the past seven seasons at Weymouth. He brings a wealth of Football League experience, with an impressive playing CV including the likes of AFC Bournemouth, Millwall, Burnley, Coventry City, Luton Town, as well as earning five caps for Northern Ireland.
The defence returns the main body of its players from last season including their captain Sam Jackson, who is in his third season at the club having spent time at Poole Town, Bashley and Dorchester. Drew Eccott-Young is also be back for another season. Drew has previously played for Hamworthy United where he won “Young player of the season“ under Tom Sills. He then made 23 appearances for Dorchester before joining the Magpies. Owen Roundell has also rejoined the club after making over 300 appearances for Sholing. Billy Walker is another defender back for another season and is regarded as a hard-working central defender having been captain for both Christchurch & Hamworthy United before joining the Magpies. Tyler Edmondson, is a commanding young central defender who came through the ranks at Southampton’s academy, before joining Eastleigh, and has since played for Sholing, Bognor Regis, and then Bashley, before joining Wimborne. Their current goalkeeper is Bastian Smith, regarded as a promising young goalkeeper on loan from Peterborough United, who previously spent time at Portsmouth.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
Well what a difference three weeks can make, with maximum points from out last four games, and ten goals, our league position looks in a much more positive view, with us looking up rather down. Goals in back-to-back matches by Tom Blake, let alone is whole game performances, have been a part of this rejuvenation in the team. A goal for Ore Bello in a surprise return, and George Reid’s eighth goal this campaign, earned us the win, in what was a performance that was better than the final result.
With this latest win we now sit in ninth place with our record now at Pld 24 Won 10 Drawn 3 Lost 11 and 33pts. Our away record is 3 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses. The one downside of Tuesday’s win was the knock to Robbie Gallagher, as he got a knee to the jaw, and although it looked serious at the time, I’m sure he would want to start tomorrow, but medical advice will likely deter that. This would leave George Reid & Joe Barough to lead the line, as Ore Bello who picked up a lower leg injury also on Tuesday, may not be ready to go. This leaves Dan Rowe who has missed out the last two weeks, as an option, and Cheick Lysalla as potential option on the bench.
The midfield, now without Rudy Allen, has now seen the loss of Connor Barratt, who chose to leave the club, to get some proper gametime elsewhere. This saw the likes of Josh Green, Tom Blake and the ever-improving D’Andre Brown, step up Tuesday as they controlled large parts of the game. James Dickson was a very late substitution, so could be close to a start very soon. Next in line is Ben Cook and potentially Conor Harris, if his dual reg deal is still valid.
The defence were strong once again and apart from the late, late goal, looked secure. What we have seen is the superb performances by James Clark & Scott Armsworth in recent games, and with our captain Billy Upton (currently on five goals), still at his high standard, let alone a season-long strong performance by Joe O’Loughlin, it makes it difficult for our Manager to make changes. Those in waiting are defensive back Elliott Legg and centre-back Jack Ball, who may be still a week away according to him, gives us a good sound basis of defence for the rest of the season. Simon Grant will don the keepers jersey as usual, and made two good saves Tuesday night, and had little chance with the opening Hanwell goal that screamed past him with little hope to react.
So in just under twenty-four hours-time, we travel to Devon to take on a Wimborne side, who are difficult to beat on their own park, but Basingstoke will be full of confidence and some momentum with them, have for the first time in many years, a chance to win five games in a row in the league.
The weather is mean’t to be dry from now until game-time, so why not make the trip and get behind your Basingstoke side.
Let’s go Stoke !
Match Preview by Martin French..
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