A long drive from Bournemouth, where I was staying, through country lanes brought me to the home of Gillingham Town FC, Woodwater Lane on a chilly but bright evening. Today’s fixture was a Dorset Premier League tie between the Gills and Cobham Sports FC.

Woodwater Lane is found at the edge of Gillingham in Dorset, down a long narrow lane by the sports centre. It boasts ample parking and a modern ground with clubhouse, refreshments, floodlighting and toilets, as well as a Grandstand seating 88. The club moved here in 2017, from their previous ground on Harding Lane.

Gillingham Town FC, managed this season by Lee Brumbaugh, came into today’s game in fifteenth place but thirteen points clear of the relegation places. Their goals this season have come from Grady Crittall (9 goals), Caleb Pack (6 goals) Klarc Coates and Harry Godden (3 goals each). Tonight was a tall ask to see if they could secure a win against a Cobham Sports side who came into the game second in the league, having lost just once this season.

Tonight’s visitors, Cobham Sports FC came to the match in fine form and brimming with goals from their squad. Callum Clarke has scored 21 goals, Joe Wood 14 goals, Asa Phillips 12 goals and Cameron Beard 9 goals in what has been a highly successful season to date. Manager Andrew Dillworth would have been hoping for a win to close the gap on leaders, Blandford United.

It was frustrating that neither side had published team sheets on twitter nor put them up at the ground, so my report will lack player names. Within ten minutes of the start, Cobham Sports FC were 0-1 ahead with their club captain and centre half forcing the ball home, after a scramble in the goalmouth from a corner.

Despite a half which saw huge pressure from the visitors, at the break the sides went in separated by a solitary goal, due in no small part to the energy the Gillingham Town players showed in chasing back to defend whenever they were needed.

The Cobham Sports pressure continued after the break and it was no real surprise when, on 58 minutes, the visitors went two ahead, after a fine shot from distance went in for the goal of the game from their number ten, who caused constant problems throughout the game,

On 69 minutes the gap was increased to three goals at 0-3 when the hard working Cobham Sports FC number 6 stabbed the ball home after another corner had resulted in a goalmouth scramble.

With 85 minutes gone, Cobham Sports FC went four ahead, with yet another corner being finished clinically with a headed goal.

At the full time whistle it was clear that Cobham Sports FC were totally in the ascendency. They had controlled the game from start to finish despite the resilience and hard work the home team showed. On this performance you’d have to believe that Cobham Sports FC will sustain their success to achieve promotion.