Match Preview

Wimborne Town are the visitors to the Sports Ground on Saturday in Southern League Division One South & West.

A Brief History of Wimborne Town
Wimborne Town were founded in 1878 and became founder members of the Dorset County Football Association in 1887. They played Dorset League football until becoming founder members of the Dorset Combination League in 1957 but returned to the Dorset League a year later. Wimborne moved back into the Dorset Combination League in 1973 but after three seasons switched back to the Dorset League. The Magpies joined Western League Division One for the 1981/82 and finished top ten in all of the six seasons they competed there. They joined the Wessex League in 1987. In 1991/92 Wimborne were Wessex League Champions and also won the FA Vase after beating Guiseley 5-3 at Wembley. They would win two more Wessex League titles in 1993/94 and 1999/00 before finishing as runners-up in 2009/10 and being promoted to Southern League Division One South & West. After struggling with two league finishes of 19th Wimborne achieved their highest league finish of 12th in 2012/13 followed by two finishes of 13th place. Last season they finished in 17th position.

Form
Like Bideford, Wimborne Town are having an inconsistent season but sit quite comfortably in mid-table (Pos 11th W13 D5 L13 Pts 44). Although they've lost five of their last ten all of those defeats have been by the odd goal against the likes of Salisbury, Swindon Supermarine and Taunton Town. Recently they have scored comfortable wins over AFC Totton and Bridgwater Town and also drew 2-2 away to champions-elect Hereford, one of only three teams to avoid defeat at Edgar Street this season.

Wimborne Town's last six (LLWDLW)
18/02/17 Wimborne Town 2 Bridgwater Town 0 (League)
14/02/17 Taunton Town 2 Wimborne Town 1 (League)
11/02/17 Hereford 2 Wimborne Town 2 (League)
04/02/17 Wimborne Town 3 AFC Totton 0 (League)
28/01/17 Mangotsfield United 2 Wimborne Town 1 (League)
21/01/17 Barnstaple Town 1 Wimborne Town 0 (League)

Bideford's season best run of six games without defeat came to an end on Tuesday night in the Devon St Luke's Bowl at Tiverton Town. The changes made to the side at Ladysmead made it clear that the league game against Wimborne took priority over the county cup tie. Bideford remain unbeaten in six in the league and will be hoping to stretch that run to seven on Saturday. Matt Bye returned to the side on Tuesday after an extended absence and the likes of Kevin Squire, Chris McGrath and Dan Harrison will return after missing the game at Tiverton.

Bideford's last six (WDWWWL)
21/02/17 Tiverton Town 3 Bideford 1 (St Luke's Bowl QF)
18/02/17 Shortwood United 1 Bideford 2 (League)
11/02/17 Bideford 2 Yate Town 0 (League)
04/02/17 Larkhall Athletic 0 Bideford 1 (League)
28/01/17 Bideford 2 Didcot Town 2 (League)
14/01/17 Bideford 1 Slimbridge 0 (League)

Previous meetings:
2016/17 Wimborne Town 0 Bideford 4 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
2011/12 Bideford 3 Wimborne Town 1 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
2011/12 Wimborne Town 0 Bideford 3 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
2010/11 Bideford 1 Wimborne Town 2 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
2010/11 Wimborne Town 1 Bideford 3 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
2010/11 Bideford 1 Wimborne Town 2 (FA Cup PR)
2007/08 Bideford 1 Wimborne Town 0 (FA Vase R3)
2001/02 Bideford 1 Wimborne Town 0 (FA Cup Q1)
1990/91 Wimborne Town 3 Bideford 2 (FA Cup PR)

Bideford vs Wimborne Town
Southern League Division One South & West
Saturday 25th February 2017
3:00pm kick off
Sports Ground, Bideford

Wimborne Town FC
Web: http://www.wimbornetownfc.co.uk
Twitter: @WimborneTownFC