Fareham earn Wimborne draw in latest friendly
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN continued their mixed pre-season preparations for this upcoming 2025-26 league campaign as they entertained Wimborne Town on Tuesday evening (July 22); eventually earning a respectable one-all draw against their Step Three opponents following a hard-fought but enjoyable friendly encounter in front of a loud crowd at Cams Alders.
The visitors started brightly under the overcast skies and saw their striker pose a thread during the early exchanges; a low angled drive being dragged off target and the second being blocked at source. In response a steady spell of home possession allowed them to settle versus the higher league opponents and they saw two set piece crosses to no avail.
However the Creeksiders had a great chance to open the scoring as their attacker was brought down in the area for a penalty, but academy goalkeeper Tom Thorne produced a brilliant diving save from this kick. Instead it was Wimborne who broke the deadlock when a fine passing move fell kindly to Joe Smith who slotted home easily before the interval.
It took a while for this momentum to repeat itself upon the restart with the last pass lacking for the two teams; although some fine defending was in show from Fareham as they prevented notable opportunities against ‘quality’ build up play. Down the other end the hosts saw a defender nod harmlessly over the bar after a deep pass was played into the area.
It was soon one-apiece as a threaded ball and attempt was denied by the Wimborne keeper; the rebound falling kindly to Josh Benfield and he bundled the ball into the goal off the chest. Benfield later tried to score a late winner as he ran inside and curled over the post from range; but both teams appeared to settle for a stalemate after a spate of changes.
This result means that Fareham are unbeaten in two matches after multiple defeats over these recent weeks; which is hopefully standing them in good stead going into the final 10 days of pre-season. The Creeksiders are to now travel to Poole Town FC on Saturday afternoon (July 26), before a local match against Gosport Borough next Tuesday evening.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: Home midfielder tries to beat Wimborne counterpart in a main spot of pitch.
