Sherborne Town 3 Wincanton Town 0

6 April 2026

Sunny Easter Bank Holiday, so why not find some football to watch? An unexpected one, this – I had never thought I would take in a neutral game at Sherborne, one of the more remote grounds in the league, and I hadn’t even contemplated it until Sunday evening.  When I did, at first, it was almost as a joke.  But the joke put the idea in mind, and I thought – well, why not?  besides, having seen New Milton Town relegated at the weekend, the Content Adviser and I had the opportunity to play the role of ‘black spot’, Wincanton now having reached their own last chance saloon.  Seven points adrift with three games to play, this their game in hand over Poppies and a defeat would consign them to Step 6 next season.  Realistically, only a win would do… added to which, this is the closest thing the Wasps have to a derby, only 20 miles down the road (I hate to think what time they have to set off to get to Baffins, let alone a trip to the island).

A glorious sunny afternoon in north Dorset, but don’t be fooled – a stiff and quite chilly breeze, which had far more impact on the game – the ball often swirling in the unpredictable wind.  That made it slightly surprising that both teams seemed less keen on getting the ball down and playing on the floor, there were a remarkable number of headers in the match!  The match itself: watchable, plenty of chances, ultimately a comfortable and deserved home win.  Even so, a mighty fast start from the Wasps, Connor Williams crossing into the box after 14 seconds but the ball only found keeper Marshall.  Wincanton have also signed former Sherborne man Ben Wood, known to me in particular for his superb long throws, and Tom Diamond headed over one of these throws after 4 minutes… the Zebras to the other end, brilliant cross, Farthing making the perfect run only to head over, unchallenged, from 8 yards.  I can’t list all the chances and half-chances because we’d still be here tomorrow, but the best of them were to the hosts.  The impressive Herrin (understandably named man of the match) chased down his own header and charged down the subsequent clearance but fortunately for the visitors the ball bounced wide… Dec Cornish, always classy, volleyed just wide from the edge of the box… but Wincanton also had their moments, mostly featuring livewire Ash Marsh (a joy to watch), he should probably have done better on 20 minutes when he got clear down the left, took the ball past the keeper but only found the side-netting.  Williams headed in for Sherborne from a free kick but was offside… Hebbard with a shot which bobbled just wide, was probably closer than keeper Radovanovic thought… for the Wasps, Williams won the ball high up, played a neat interchange with Jarvis and saw his shot tipped over… Cornish with another cracking volley from the edge of the box, blocked… and finally, 42 minutes, the Zebras broke the deadlock, a clever pass from Farthing sent Ollie Hebbard clear in the box and he beat the keeper comfortably.  They should have scored a second before the break too, Hebbard setting up Herrin but he hooked a very good chance over the bar.  HT 1-0

 So, Wincanton, over to you: 45 minutes to keep your hopes alive.  They had the first chance of the half but Wood headed straight at Marshall from 10 yards after 53 minutes; but one minute later, the die was cast.  Sherborne won a free kick out on the right – a silly foul, pushing the player over with no attempt at subtlety – the punishment immediate, Herrin heading in unchallenged.   Herrin had another chance from a free kick shortly afterwards, this time saved by Radovanovic… 77 minutes, a Sherborne corner headed on, Tom Budden in splendid isolation at the back post but headed wide.  Had to score… but the Zebras wrapped it up four minutes later with the best goal of the game, a long ball controlled by Herrin with his back to goal, quality lay-off, fired into the corner from 20 yards from sub Joe Crisp.  Even as a neutral, I applauded that.  Wincanton duly pushed forward, encouraged in particular by Tom Jarvis who had a pretty decent game and was visibly frustrated by the lack of urgency around him – and that left space for the hosts to break, 14 (not a number used on the board so not able to identify him!) with a great run and shot, well saved by Radovanovic, who then saved the follow-up from Herrin with his face!  The Wasps didn’t lie down, and in overtime a clever ball into a crowded box might have found Williams who made a great run but couldn’t take the ball with him… and that was that.  FT 3-0

Like I said, a watchable game.  Commiserations to Wincanton, whose late bid for safety ultimately came to an end this afternoon.  Sherborne deserved it, with some very solid performances.  One that I haven’t mentioned was Jake Graziano, who looked good in the first half but then switched to left back for the second period (where he was fine, but less opportunity to show off his skills).  Excellent crowd of 291, most of whom went home happy no doubt.  Oddities – Sherborne in black and white, Wincanton in dark blue, the referee in black; and indeed, the referee was none other than Steve Fall, who also took charge of New Milton v Brock at the weekend, so maybe he’s the black spot rather than us!  Either way, we won’t be relegating Baffins tomorrow; but I’ll see you there.