Bristol Manor Farm endured a challenging day at New Cuthbury as they fell to a 4-0 defeat against a relentless Wimborne Town side, writes William Ledbury.
As described by Manager Lee Lashenko in his post-match interview, Manor Farm were ‘threadbare’ to say the least heading into the fixture, as injuries and illness left him with just two options off the bench. New signing Rhys Thomas made his first start as Aron Robbins was ruled out and Harvey Tierney took his place on the bench. The Farmers began the match with determination and intensity, but Wimborne Town’s home advantage was evident as they quickly took control of the game. It has to be said, Jack Lovell for Wimborne had a fantastic match and his through ball found Harry Baker who rounded Seth Locke and buried the opener. Just moments later, Manor Farm’s Jayden Nielsen squandered a chance that really could have changed the complexity of the match. Nielsen danced his way into the Wimborne penalty area and lashed a low-driven effort wide of the back post. Lashenko and his side were made to pay on 22 minutes as the handy Jez Bedford collected the ball from near 25-yards and struck the ball hard and low past Locke. The afternoon went from bad to worse on 36 minutes as winger Lewis Beale was allowed too much time and space inside the Farm penalty area, and Harry Baker was on hand to grab his second goal of the afternoon.
After a difficult first period, full credit to the Manor Farm players who came out fighting for their pride in the second half. Man of the match Owen Brain was unfortunate to have not scored on Saturday afternoon, as he saw a well taken strike parried away by home keeper Albert White. The fourth goal, however, pretty much summed up Manor Farm’s afternoon on the South Coast. Oakley Hanger, Farm’s thorn last season, was quiet on Saturday, but on 49 minutes he turned provider as Wimborne sealed Farm’s fate. His cross wasn’t properly dealt with and Jack Lovell glanced a header into the far right corner.Despite having at least half a dozen corners in the second period, Manor Farm could not take advantage of their chances because, as the old saying goes, “when your luck runs out, it’s out.” The Farmers then controlled much of the play late on, but the Wimborne defence held firm to earn a clean sheet and put a stop to Manor Farm’s winning run in the Southern League. Manor Farm make the trip to Evesham United on Tuesday night, quickly looking to put Saturday’s performance behind them.