Match Preview - Wimborne vs Kings Langley Sat 6th Nov

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Match Preview - Wimborne Town vs Kings Langley - Sat 6 Nov 2021 k.o. 3pm



After last weekend's ties in the FA Trophy, it's back to Southern League action for the Premier South's bottom two teams as they clash at New Cuthbury on Saturday. Both Wimborne and Kings Langley have six league points which leaves them four points adrift of third bottom Merthyr Town. The Magpies points have come from 12 games, the Kings' from 14.

And there are more similarities in the two teams' records this season. Both have won just once in the league - Wimborne at Salisbury, Kings at home to Poole; both have scored just 9 league goals; Wimborne have conceded 21, Kings 23.

Wimborne's home record is W0 D1 L4 GF 4 GA 11; Kings away record is W0 D1 L5 GF 3 GA 14.



In FA competitions Wimborne have fared better. In the FA Cup the Magpies beat Blackfield & Langley and Basingstoke away before going down at National South Hampton & Richmond; Kings beat Romford at home before going out at Premier Central Leiston in a replay. In last weekend's FA Trophy ties Wimborne won at Southern Division One Central Thame while Kings lost at Isthmian Premier Cray Wanderers.



Kings Langley arrived in the Southern Premier divisions after an amazing run of three successive promotions: they were runners-up in Spartan Division One in 2013-14; champions of Spartan Premier; and then champions of Southern Division One Central. In the 2018-19 season they finished sixth in the Southern Premier South, one point below Poole who claimed the last play-off spot. The FA then transferred Kings to the Southern Premier Central for the 2019-20 season. For this 2021-22 season, Kings Langley voluntarily moved back to the Southern Premier South.



How have The Magpies and Kings fared against the same teams this season?

The last league fixture for both teams was at home to Merthyr - and we both recovered from being a goal down to draw 1-1.

We both played Harrow in the league in the game before that - and both lost 2-0 - Kings at home, Magpies away.

And the game before that we both lost to Farnborough - Kings 4-1 away, Magpies 2-0 at New Cuthbury.

We've both lost at Tiverton, and both lost to Supermarine.

Kings drew with Taunton at home, and Chesham away - we lost to both at home.

Kings lost at home to Salisbury and Yate; on their travels Magpies won against the Whites and drew with the Bluebells.



How have the two teams fared in previous seasons?

We've only been in the same division for one season, our first in the Southern Premier South in 2018-19. In October we won 5-0 at Cuthbury in front of a crowd of 334 with goals from Luke Burbidge, Franklyn Clarke, Toby Holmes (2), and Curtis Young. In the reverse fixture in March Kings were victorious 1-0 as they chased a play-off spot. They just missed out to Poole ending the season 6th; we were involved in the last day scramble to avoid the third relegation spot and finished 14th.



Neither team has played mid-week, so both managers, James Stokoe and Chris Cummins, will have had time to prepare for this vital game, and for players to have recovered from injuries.
Given this season's records of the two teams, there's not a lot to choose between them. Perhaps the encouragement and support of Wimborne fans can tip the balance in favour of the Magpies.



Weather forecast: light cloud, 12oC, 10% chance of rain.