Wimborne Town vs Salisbury

On a scorching afternoon in Dorset, Wimborne — who had scored 15 goals without reply in their previous friendlies against lower-level opposition — more than matched their higher-tier visitors for an hour. The first half was a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling to keep the ball on the ground in the heat. Salisbury's Nathan Odokonyero turned and fired wide, while at the other end, Lewis Williams forced Salisbury keeper Will Henry into a late save beneath his crossbar.

Salisbury manager Brian Dutton was sent off just before half-time following an altercation with the referee, leaving the Whites to reorganise for the second period without their manager on the touchline.

Wimborne came out swinging after the break. Joe Smith headed Bustamante's free-kick against the bar, and the pressure told on 55 minutes. A short corner was played to Josh McQuoid, whose cross was half-cleared to Bustamante. The midfielder took a touch before rifling a 25-yard strike into the far top corner to give the hosts a deserved lead.

The goal jolted Salisbury into action. Wimborne's defence, marshalled by Owen Roundell-Prince and Ben Scorey, held firm for another 15 minutes, but the equaliser arrived around the 70-minute mark. Odokonyero, who had been Salisbury's most dangerous attacker, fired across Rodwell from the right corner of the box to level the scores.

Five minutes later, substitute Josh Hedges produced a moment of individual brilliance, keeping the ball alive near the corner flag before driving into the box and firing beyond Rodwell to put the visitors ahead. Hedges completed his brace on 86 minutes, finishing off a crisp passing move that sliced through the tiring Wimborne defence, with Evander Grubb squaring the ball after a darting run.

Odokonyero's equaliser with around 20 minutes remaining. Before that goal, Wimborne had looked capable of holding on to their lead. But once Salisbury found the breakthrough, the superior depth and fitness of the National League South squad — with substitutes making an impact despite manager Brian Dutton's absence — told decisively. The Magpies had no answer to the visitors' increased intensity after the goal.

Josh Hedges (Salisbury) — two goals in 15 minutes, including a brilliant solo effort from the corner flag and a composed finish to complete the scoring. The substitute changed the game entirely after coming on.

Max Bustamante (Wimborne Town) — opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner, his first involvement after coming off the bench. A goal worthy of winning any match.

Nathan Odokonyero (Salisbury) — the in-form striker levelled the scores with a first-time dipping shot and was a constant threat throughout, troubling the Wimborne defence with his movement.

Owen Roundell-Prince (Wimborne Town) — signed for the 2026/27 season this week, the centre-back made several important interventions including a goalline block in the opening minutes on his debut.

Wimborne actually registered more shots on target (4-3) and had more attempts overall (7-7), but Salisbury's quality in the final third proved decisive. The visitors had five attempts inside the box to Wimborne's two, reflecting their ability to carve out better chances once they found their rhythm. Wimborne's 15-goal run without reply in pre-season came to an emphatic end — they simply could not sustain their first-hour performance levels in the heat against a side two divisions above them.

A valuable reality check for Tim Sills' Wimborne side, who had cruised through their early pre-season programme. The Magpies (Southern League Premier South) face Maidenhead United at home on 25 July in their next friendly. Salisbury (National League South) travel to Frome Town on the same day. Both sides will have their competitive seasons underway in August.

Wimorne matched a National League South side for an hour and took the lead through a superb strike, but Salisbury's squad depth and fitness — plus the individual quality of Odokonyero and Hedges — proved too much in the final quarter. Encouraging signs for the hosts, but a clear demonstration of the step up in class.

Player of the Match: Josh Hedges (Salisbury) — two goals in 15 minutes, including a superb solo effort.