Southern League Premier South – Saturday 10th January 2026
Wimborne Town 1 vs 1 Basingstoke Town Attendance 698
Where: Wyatt Homes Stadium, 16 Ainsley Road, Wimborne, Dorset. BH21 2FU
Manager Dan Brownlie went with a line-up of: 1. Simon Grant, 2. James Clark, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Josh Green, 5. Scott Armsworth, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Thomas Blake, 8. D’Andre Brown, 9. Ore Bello, 10. Joe Barough, 11. George Reid
On the bench: 12. Cheick Sylla, 14. Dan Rowe, 15. Ben Cook, 14.Connor Whiteley, 17. Elliott Legg
Referee – Robert Ablitt
With Robbie Gallagher rested as expected, the game got underway in bright sunshine, and controversy was to strike in the opening minutes, as a through ball saw a hesitant Wimborne keeper allow Ore Bello get a touch on the ball, before the keeper brings him down, only for the referee to take two seconds before waiving it away. Thirty seconds later and the Stoke fans behind the goal, still amazed by the decision, the referee awarded Wimborne a penalty.
But the penalty saw Simon Grant, correctly dive to the left, and he pushed the ball away, and the Magpies had to settle for a corner.
Stoke then attacked through Tom Blake, as he cut along the byline, but his cross was met by aw Wimborne defender who cleared.
Ten minutes in and George Reid found Blake, who went past two players, but his shot was always rising over the bar.
Wimborne then had a call for another penalty waived away, and two minutes later they took the lead, as they broke down our left, and the low cross was forced home at the near post. Wimborne 1 – 0 Basingstoke
Twenty-five minutes in, and it was clear that whilst Stoke were trying to build attacks via passing movements, the homeside, were content on thumping the ball upfield, forcing the Stoke backline to defend them deep.
Wimborne came close to doubling their lead, as the long ball saw them break clear, and the ball was clipped over the outcoming Grant, only for Scott Armsworth, to make a last gasp clearance off the line.
Wimborne continued to be the team on top, and had two chances, but both were blazed wide.
Stoke were then forced to make its first substitution of the day, as D’Andre Brown had picked up an injury and was replaced by Ben Cook (32 mins).
Stoke were to have the next two minutes of play around the Wimborne penalty area, but failed to put anything of note on the Wimborne goal.
Stoke continued to have the momentum going into the last five minutes of the game, and good work by Blake, saw the ball cleared out to Bello, but his shot lacked power and the keeper made the save.
The referee allowed just one minute of added-time, and Stoke went into the break behind by the one goal.
Halftime Score: Wimborne Town 1 vs 0 Basingstoke Town
With Stoke making its second change at the break, as Ore Bello was replaced by Dan Rowe, the game got back underway, and it was Stoke who were to immediately strike back, as James Clark found Reid, who slid the ball to Joe Barough, who then cut across the middle of the pitch going past two defenders, before he unleashed a left-foot shot from twenty-five yards that beat the keeper, as it found the bottom corner of the right-hand net GOAL! Wimborne Town 1 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Barough 48 mins)
Wimborne had the next attack, but a shot from inside our six-yard box was blocked away for a corner.
Just before the hour-mark, Stoke create another half-chance, but Dan Rowe’s shot took a slight deflection out for a corner.
Wimborne continued to push for a second goal, but Stoke continued to defend well, with notable blocks by James Clark & Billy Upton.
The goalmouth action had subsided for a while, and Stoke made its third change of the day with the welcomed return of Cheick Sylla who replaced George Reid (69 mins).
A number of substitutions by the homeside, signalled a slight lull in chances, as we moved into the final ten minutes of the game.
Stoke had another good move, through Barough and Josh Green but that final pass was missing.
Very little to note, apart from two Stoke players (Rowe & Grant), going in the book, as we entered four minutes of added-time, which were played out with little to note, and Stoke leave Dorset with a deserved point.
Fulltime Score: Wimborne Town 1 vs 1 Basingstoke Town
Bustamante 13 mins, Barough 48 mins,
Match Thought’s
We extend our unbeaten run to five games, as we battled for a well-earned point against a Wimborne side who play that kick & rush style football, that seems to work for them. Tom Blake continues to impress with his performances and the defence as a whole looked strong for most of the game. Good to see Joe Barough get his first goal for the club, which was an impressive run and finish.
Most Stoke fans will be happy with the point as we move up one place to eighth in the table.
Up Next:
Back on the road we travel to Berkhamsted next Saturday (17th) with a 3pm KO
Match Report by Martin French..
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