Wimborne Town Women Development faced off against Poole Borough Women’s Firsts at the Wimborne Town FC ground on 15 December 2024, with kick-off at 4:00pm under the floodlights. The home side delivered a commanding performance, securing a comprehensive 4-0 victory that showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, rounding off 2024 on a positive note.
Wimborne lined up in a 3-2-3-2 formation, designed to balance both defensive stability and attacking flair. Millie Shearing took her position in goal, while the back three comprised Chloe Dover in central defence, flanked by Poppy Harris on the right and Lauren Ellery on the left. In midfield, Mya Richardson, making her first start, and Alice Cunningham-Smith operated centrally, providing both defensive cover and support to the attacking players. The attacking midfield trio featured Ava Dove on the right, Acacia Rogers in the centre, and Daisy Garbutt on the left, with Bay Woods and Georgia Mitton leading the line as forwards. The substitutes for the match included Molly Collins, Ellen Bader, Alannah Aldridge, and Lucie Oliver.
The match began with an explosive start as Wimborne pressed to score an early goal. Chances were created by matched by the Poole Borough goalkeeper.
In the tenth minute, a blow for Wimborne occurred when Bay Woods had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury, with Molly Collins coming on to replace her. This change did not disrupt the flow of the game, as Wimborne continued to press forward.
Georgia Mitton opened the scoring in the 24th minute, capitalising on a long pass from Poppy Harris to slot the ball home inside the box. This goal set the tone for Wimborne's dominance throughout the first half.
As the half progressed, Alice Cunningham-Smith was substituted off for Ellen Bader in the 30th minute, followed by Mya Richardson making way for Alannah Aldridge five minutes later. These tactical adjustments allowed Wimborne to maintain their momentum and control of the match.
The first half concluded with Wimborne leading 1-0, but they were far from finished. Just two minutes into the second half, Alice Cunningham-Smith found the net, again assisted by Poppy Harris, who delivered another precise long pass that allowed Cunningham-Smith to score from inside the box.
Wimborne's attacking display continued to flourish, and in the 50th minute, Georgia Mitton scored her second goal of the match, tapping in after a clever flick from Alice Cunningham-Smith. This goal further extended Wimborne's lead and demonstrated their cohesive attacking play.
In the 56th minute, Daisy Garbutt had a goal flagged offside, a decision that was later deemed incorrect, but it did little to dampen Wimborne's spirits as they continued to dominate possession and create chances.
The scoring was rounded off in the 66th minute when Georgia Mitton completed her hat-trick with a well-executed team move, showcasing the fluidity and teamwork that had characterised Wimborne's performance throughout the match.
As the final whistle blew, Wimborne Town Women Development celebrated a resounding 4-0 victory over Poole Borough Women’s Firsts, a result that highlighted their attacking capabilities and solidified their position in the league. The referee, Richard Batchelor, oversaw the match, although his performance drew some criticism from the stands. With this emphatic win, Wimborne will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures in 2025.
