Wisbech supporters have just a relegation battle to look forward to for the rest of the season after an indefensible display on Saturday against a moderate Jewson Premier Division side, Stowmarket Town, who deservedly go through to the next round and pocket the £7,500 on offer for 2^nd Qualifying Round winners from the F.A.  So bad was this performance was that Stowmarket goalkeeper Simon Nunn never had a direct shot to save all afternoon.

Disappointed to say the least, Acting General-Manager Roy McManus stated after the game, “I’m sorry for the supporters, our biggest crowd so far this season, everyone was confident before the game after a good performance midweek but to be frank we didn’t perform against a mediocre side, no matter what anybody says, the only thing they had going for them was hard work and hope the breaks went for them. In the second half we had control of the game, and apart from one or two chances overall we didn’t deserve anything out of this game. We have now got to lift the team’s morale in readiness for next weeks game.” McManus continued with a plea to the Wisbech supporters to keep behind the team, ”We will get it right, we are going to strengthen the side, it’s such a shame about today, we missed an opportunity to get things going.”

Wisbech looked a relegation-haunted Jewson League side in the first half, with a hard working but only an average Stowmarket side hardly believing that a game at Fenland Park could be so easy, as the home side never made a serious attempt to score at all.

Stowmarket opened the scoring after 25 minutes when Matthew Platt worked his way down the right-wing and his cross was turned into the net by Adrian Whatling from six yards out.

Five minutes later Colin Yeomans wasted a chance with a poorly-struck free kick from just outside the area that the Wisbech defence managed to clear. However, Yeomans got it right on 34 minutes, with the Fenmen pushing forward, the ball was cleared by the Stowmarket defence and Platt ran from midfield without being challenged, passed to Yeomans who picked his spot to score an excellent goal.

The Fenmen completely dominated the second half but never really looked like pulling this game back. Substitute Gary Pawson, playing in midfield, worked hard and at least showed some commitment, sadly lacking amongst his team mates.

Wisbech were denied a half-hearted penalty appeal in the 53^rd minute when Steadman appeared to be pushed down in the area. Back came Stowmarket and Pat Clarke had to head a shot off the line to prevent the visitor’s going further ahead.

The first real effort on the Stowmarket goal came after 73 minutes; from Nigel Vince’s long cross, substitute Darren Jimson rose above his marker only to head over the crossbar. Four minutes later, Stowmarket keeper Simon Nunn did well to catch the ball under pressure from Paul Goodhand. A defender blocked Clarke’s powerful shot on 81 minutes as Stowmarket pulled everybody back into defence. Two minutes later, Paul Hill headed over from a corner.

Stowmarket’s first goal hero Adrian Whatling was taken off injured and rushed to hospital as a precaution as he was concussed.  Just before the end Darren Jimson let fly from 25 yards with a shot that just flew over the crossbar.

A hard-earned but well-deserved away point for the Fenmen in a game in which both goals were scored in the first four minutes.

After the match Coach Pat O’Keefe was pleased with the effort and the team spirit shown by the team, “With the performance on Saturday and tonight’s, I can see the lad’s creating a great team spirit, we scored a great early goal tonight and created chances. I have to admit we are a couple of players away from being a very good side, but to their credit the lad’s who have come into the side have worked hard for their place and deserve the shirt the next match”.

The only change from Saturday’s starting line-up was Nigel Vince making his return from injury, Darren Jimson starting the game on the bench.

Wisbech won a corner in the third minute, the ball was crossed and headed back to Nick Reeson, whose cross was met with a glancing header from Andy Furnell, giving Stamford’s ex-Wisbech keeper Steve Corry no chance to make a save.

The Daniels equalised a minute later, from a corner Gareth Pritchard rose above the Wisbech defence to head home.

Stamford now took control of the game and it took some stout defending by the Fenmen’s defence to keep them at bay.  Wisbech rode their luck with two efforts from the home side; in the 12^th minute the ever-dangerous Malcolm Ndekwe failed to make contact with the ball with the goal at his mercy, then three minutes later Pledger blocked a Ndekwe header, the ball fell into the path of Nick Ashby who from three yards out shot against the crossbar.

Wisbech weathered the storm and with Danny Steadman prominent in all their approach work, started to carve out the chances.  Paul Hill and Steadman both had good shots saved in the 24^th minute.

Play was now end-to-end Pritchard was denied another goal with a header that was well saved by keeper Ian Pledger.  Reeson’s reputation as a free-kick specialist gave the home defence some anxiety but two efforts were off target.

Stamford, as expected went on the offensive after the break, Ashby and Holmes both tried long-range shots but Wisbech had the best opportunity to score when, after 69 minutes, Steadman’s cross was met at the far post by Furnell, whose header just flew wide of the target.

Chances were being created at both ends, Wisbech had a touch of fortune in the 78^th minute, Ashby and Breen missing easy chances while at the other end, Steadman and Reeson both had efforts blocked.

Playing some attractive attacking football, the Fenmen deserved at least a point from this match, they dominated the game for long periods and in a rousing final few minutes in which the visitor’s goalkeeper Adam Hart was sent off, the ball did everything but go into the opposition net.

Back into the line-up came Manager Pat Clarke with Darren Jimson making his first Dr Martens start of the season.

After the game Wisbech Manager Pat Clarke said, “The lad’s responded well to the issues we discussed after the midweek game, we were positive and we played some great football at times. We deserved something out of this, but it wasn’t to be, two slips, two goals and that was it. We had five or six great chances but it was not our day. I was happy with the performance, we looked tighter at the back and I’m sure we will go forward.”

Wisbech started playing 3-5-2 and not playing the long ball, preferring to pass to a team-mate, and looked good going forward.  Andy Furnell’s shot after one minute went wide, while some good interpassing involving Darren Jimson and Paul Goodhand set up Nick Reeson to volley just wide of the target.

On 13 minutes Mark Jimson retrieved the ball, but his cross was cut out by keeper Hart who did well to deny Danny Steadman two minutes later.

Erith took the lead totally against the run of play with a fluke goal after 16 minutes, a long clearance found Adams on the left wing and his cross was going to be comfortably cleared by Paul Hill who slipped as he went to kick the ball leaving Steve White with the easiest of goals from six yards out.

Under pressure from Darren Jimson, Martin Driscoll’s header back to the keeper was miss-directed, Hart only just retrieving the ball before it crossed the line.

The Fenmen continued to make the better chances; on the half-hour Furnell’s looping header just went over the crossbar. Then Tuncay Korkmaz made a strong run from midfield only to fail to hit the target.

The visitor’s missed a glorious chance to go further ahead just before half-time, Adams beat the Wisbech offside trap and his weak shot rightly earned the shouts of derision from the home crowd.

In the second half Wisbech continued to press forward but were nearly caught by the counter-attack on the hour and keeper Ian Pledger tipped Richard Vercesi’s powerfully struck shot on to the crossbar and out for a corner. The Fenmen were caught out two minutes later, Pledger did well to block Adam’s powerful header, but White was on hand to sweep the rebound into the net for his second goal.

Wisbech pulled a goal back after 80 minutes, Dan Steadman outpacing the visitor’s defence to volley home from 20 yards.

With the Fenmen going all out for the equaliser, Steadman and Goodhand both went close, as the defensive capabilities of the visitors were tested to the full.

On 86 minutes Wisbech substitute Ben Crowfoot was crudely pulled down just outside the box, he had to be carried off and was subsequently taken to hospital by ambulance for a suspected broken knee-cap.  A minute later, Steadman was pulled down in a similar position, this time Paul Roberts was shown the yellow card.   While the Wisbech player was being treated, a free-for all developed in the box and when order was restored Deres keeper Adam Hart was sent off following a discussion with his Assistant by Referee Mr Cox.  Glen Billenness went in goal for Erith and made a superb diving save from a Reeson free kick deep into injury time.  As the resulting corner was hacked away, the final whistle blew and Erith had hung on for their third successive win at Fenland Park.

Attendance: 209

Wisbech: Pledger, Clarke, Dear, Korkmaz, Hill, M. Jimson, Steadman, Goodhand, Furnell (Crowfoot) (Pawson 87), D. Jimson (Flanz 70), Reeson.

A less than vintage performance from the Fenmen and not many of the squad did themselves justice in front of the new Management team.

After the game, new Manager Mark O’ Kane having admitted he was frustrated at the team’s showing, allowed Pat Clarke to have the Management’s opinion.  “I’m very disappointed with the result, after a poor first half the lads showed a bit of character in the second half, but by that time Rothwell had the points in the bag.  Although the present squad are quite talented, I feel we have to fetch one or two players in and we have got to stop conceding these sloppy goals.  But I’m confident that we will go forward”.

A hardworking Rothwell side took full advantage of some sloppy defending, although the Fenmen’s cause was not helped by the loss  through an ankle injury of Kevin Leggett after 8 minutes.

For Rothwell, Jason Turner soon stated that he was in a scoring mood, bringing out a good save from keeper Ian Pledger on 10 minutes.  From the corner, Craig McIlwain rose above the Wisbech defence only to head wide.

Turner duly delivered the goods after 16 minutes, volleying home from ten yards from Paul Hough’s right wing cross.

The Fenmen pushed forward, and Gary Pawson was unlucky with a header after 21 minutes, but generally, the Fenmen didn’t look that dangerous in front of goal.  For Rothwell, McIlwain headed wide again from a corner.

Danny Steadman was at the heart of most of the Fenmen’s attacks and from his cross in the 33^rd minute, Nick Reeson’s volley just went wide.

Just before half-time Ryan Nash, whose pace caused problems all evening for the Fenmen’s defence, collected a long clearance on the right wing and his cross found Turner with time and space to drive the ball home.

The Wisbech defence did not take in the lessons of the first half as they allowed McIlwain to find the target with a superb header from Robson’s cross after 50 minutes.

Appointed Captain before the match, Ian Pledger then had to make two tremendous saves to deny Nash from getting on the score sheet.

Nick Reeson could count himself unlucky when his superbly struck volley from 30 yards beat ex-Wisbech keeper John Hughes, only to crash against the bar and rebound to safety.

The Fenmen pulled a goal back in the 82^nd minute, from Nick Reeson’s free-kick, Andy Furnell’s header had beaten the visitor’s keeper but Simon Flanz appeared to have the final touch.

Poor defending in the 88^th minute allowed substitute Jimmy Foreman to score an easy fourth goal for the visitor’s.

Attendance: 146

Wisbech: Pledger, Dear, Crowfoot (Goodhand), Hill, Pawson, M Jimson, Steadman, Korkmaz, Furnell, Leggett (Flanz), Reeson

For the few travelling Fenmen supporters, this match will only be remembered as Terry Back’s last game before moving on to be Assistant Manager at Ryman’s Division One Club Aylesbury United. At least they won but without looking that good against a team from a lower league who actually played the better football.

After the game Terry Back was pleased with the team’s performance, “I thought we were very positive, we concentrated very well and soaked up their early pressure.  For once we never gave the ball away to often. Great goals from Kevin Leggett, I thought after the second goal it was all over but credit to the opposition, they never gave up.  I thought our defence was outstanding, they did really well. It wouldn’t be fair to pick out an individual but on my last game in charge, they did me proud, I’ve thanked them all, it’s been an experience with Wisbech, it’s something I’ve never come across before, but it’s been fun.” 

In front of a meagre crowd, with the running track around the pitch making the game devoid of any atmosphere Tony Constantinou was first to try and hit the target in the seventh minute as he found space on the edge of the area and forced Wisbech keeper Ian Pledger into a good save Six minutes later, Gary Pawson, who looked very effective for the Fenmen in his position at centre-back, headed over the crossbar to safety Chris Wolff’s dipping cross from the right wing.

The first attempt on goal from the Fenmen came in the 14^th minute. Kevin Leggett volleying wide from the edge of the area after being put through by a pass from Lee Hyde.

Gary Pawson went close with a header  in 27^th minute and was involved with the Fenmen’s first goal two minutes later, making an interception in the centre circle his long pass found Kevin Leggett in space on the left and despite the close attention of two defenders, the Wisbech striker cleverly chipped the advancing home keeper, Nathan Saunders. Despite a frantic last ditch clearance attempt by defender Rob Pillar the ball finished in the back of the net.

Playing good football Hornchurch pushed the Fenmen back into defence but their final ball into the area was lacking and the Wisbech defence who for once were looking a co-ordinated unit, easily coped with the home side’s strikers. Only once did they work their way round, in the 42^nd minute Ian Pledger had to be at his most alert to deny a goal-bound attempt from Craig Cripps.

Wisbech did look the better side for most of the second half, most of the players realised they had more time than usual as Hornchurch were nowhere as fast as a Dr Martens League side, but the first real opportunity fell to Cripps in the 50^th minute, it took a timely interception from Ben Crowfoot to prevent the Hornchurch striker a clear run at goal.

Nathan Saunders was by now the busiest of the two keepers, in the 57^th minute Micky Nuttell forced a good save and three minutes he did well to deny Leggett a chance, coming well out of his area to cut a pass out.

Hornchurch kept plugging away asking questions of the Fenmen’s defence, in the 72^nd minute Crowfoot, under pressure and facing his own goal, did well to head the ball back to Pledger.

In the 77^th minute, Nuttell and substitute Danny Steadman worked the ball well down the left wing, the latter denied by a good save from Saunders.  However, the keeper was caught out two minutes later, again rushing out of his goal, this time Kevin Leggett expertly chipped him to put the Fenmen two goals ahead.

The home side through caution to the winds and threw everything into attack and Pledger had to tip Steve Taylor’s 83^rd minute cross over his own crossbar.

Four minutes later Hornchurch pulled a goal back, the ball was not cleared by the visitor’s defence and Chris Wolff drove the ball home. A minute later, Jopson headed over from a corner but a minute into injury time Ian Pledger made the save of the match blocking Wolff’s fierce volley.

Wisbech comfortably played out the rest of injury time and in the next round are at home to old rivals from the Jewson Eastern League, Stowmarket Town, who beat Concorde Rangers 2 – 1 away.

Attendance: 120

Wisbech: Pledger, Dear, Crowfoot, Hyde (Korkmaz 76), Pawson, Hill, Leggett, M. Jimson, Furnell (Goodhand 73), Nuttell, Reeson (Steadman 55)

The only goal of the game came after 20 minutes, a cross from Matt Amis was turned in by Pepe Giuliano, who was to have several more chances to extend the Fenmen's lead.  Damien Nelson was a constant thorn in the visitor's side, his mazy runs causing panic amongst their defence.

Throughout the first half, Cornard were unable to get past the Wisbech defence and had only fleeting glimpses of Lee Brookes' goal.

Into the second half and Cornard started to come more and more into the game as Wisbech squandered more chances.

Several stoppages for injuries meant that players and spectators alike knew there would be some injury time.  What they didn't expect was the ten minutes and ten seconds Referee Mr Chapman actually allowed.  During this time, Cornard had their best chance to score when a thunderous shot was tipped over by Brookes, much to the relief of the home supporters.

The final whistle, when it came just after 5pm, was greeted by ironic cheers by the crowd, but with another three points secured, the applause that greeted the players was genuine and well deserved.

Attendance: 88

Wisbech: Brookes, Muffett, P Cousins, Jones, Stewart, Ellison, Nelson, D Jimson, Giuliano, Gallagher (Gates), Amis (Dabney)

An assured performance from the Reserves, against a team who missed out on promotion last season on goal difference, doing 'the double' against the Fenmen in the process.

Wisbech had much the better of the first half and had a few chances to take the lead, notably Jackie Gallagher's well-saved header, but it remained goalless at the break.

The second half saw much the same, with the Fenmen unable to turn their superior possession into goals.

That was until the 61st minute, when following good work from Matt Amis, Pepe Giuliano headed home at the far post.

Giuliano had an excellent chance to make it 2-0, but his attempted chip with only the keeper to beat was saved.

As Stanway went forward looking for the equaliser, chances were created at both ends, but Roy McManus' side held on to take the points.

Wisbech: Brookes, Jones, P Cousins, Mace, Stewart, D Jimson, Nelson, Ellison, Giuliano, Gallagher, Amis (Muffett)

Attendance: 94

The Fenmen contrived to lose a game they should have won comfortably by half-time, such was their dominance over a Spalding side that soaked up all the pressure with just a hint of good fortune. However, it should be said the Fenmen contributed to their misfortune by not varying their tactic of pumping the long high ball into the visitor’s area.

Two players made their first starts this season for the Fenmen in this match, Ben Crowfoot came in for the suspended Pat Clarke and Gary Pawson took the dual centre–back position along-side Paul Hill as Wisbech played 4-4-2; Andy Furnell dropped back into midfield with Dan Steadman and Mick Nuttell our two players up front.

Ex-Fenman Steve Dennis fired in the first shot, a hopeful volley that flew over the crossbar on 3 minutes. Mark Jimson could count himself unfortunate as after 12 minutes, a good combination between Nuttell and Steadman worked the ball to Jimson whose first time shot hit Spalding keeper Damien Steer on his legs.

Paul Hill volleyed a goal-bound drive on 18 minutes and it took an acrobatic flying header from defender Peter Taylor to turn the ball round the post for a corner.

Wisbech were taking control of the game without looking too effective in front of goal, whilst Spalding only went forward occasionally, being quite happy to soak up the pressure. On 35 minutes Hill tried his luck from 30 yards out but struck the ball over the crossbar.

Against the run of play, Spalding took the lead in the 41^st minute, the architect being Steve Bell who floated a cross in from the left wing, the ball was flicked on by Lee Stevenson, finding Rob Williams at the far post with the simplest of tasks to score.

Just before half-time Mark Jimson launched one of his long throw-in’s, the ball was missed by everybody in the penalty area, finding it’s way into the back of the net.  Quite correctly, referee P.C. Martin signalled a goal-kick.

In the second half Wisbech pressed forward and were rewarded in the 52^nd minute when Lee Hyde rose above the visitor’s defence and headed Paul Goodhand’s free-kick into the net. A minute later, Hyde nearly got on to Andy Furnell’s long pass.

Spalding were playing with far more purpose this half and scored from a breakaway move in the 67^th minute. With Wisbech pushing men upfield the ball was yet again cleared from the area, Bell latched onto it and from his through-ball, another ex-Fenman, Lee Stevenson, ran on and scored from the edge of the area.

Five minutes later, from a corner Wisbech had the ball in the visitor’s net, but the effort was disallowed as Gary Pawson had clearly punched the ball into the goal.

On 74 minutes, Spalding defender Taylor did well with a well-timed tackle to deny Steadman. Wisbech continued to press forward but in reality the Spalding defence was well in control and were never seriously troubled by the Wisbech attack. On a positive note the Wisbech defence looked more assured than of late.

Spalding are at home to Histon in the First Round of the competition.

Wisbech: Pledger, Dear, Crowfoot, Hyde, Hill, Pawson, Steadman (D. Jimson 84), M. Jimson, Nuttell, Goodhand

Attendance: 204

A poor performance by the Fenmen as they beat Essex Senior League outfit Bowers United with a goal seven minutes into injury time. Bowers had taken the lead in this match and looked good value for an upset until two late goals turned the game.

After the match a very relieved Wisbech Manager, Terry Back, was full of praise for the opposition. “I’m pleased with the result, but not our performance, against a team from our league we would have been severely punished. This has to be the worst performance since I have been Manager, all credit to the opposition, they were up for it, frankly we were embarrassing.  All credit to Micky Nuttell for popping up with those two great goals, too many of our players thought all they had to do today was turn up, I’m disappointed in our midfield, they are not producing the goods as they did last season, there’s too much pressure on the back three, and we have to resolve that issue.”

Wisbech were without Nigel Vince and Kevin Leggett, both injured in Monday’s game against Histon, into the attack came Simon Flanz and Lee Ellison.

Bowers started off by far the more attacking side against a Wisbech side that looked woefully short on confidence, far too many passes were going astray and to be honest the players just don’t look comfortable playing three at the back.

Wisbech keeper Ian Pledger was soon called into action, Lee Brant headed over the crossbar, then Steve Warner made space for himself in the 16^th minute, ran into the penalty area only to shoot wide of the target.  Two minutes later defensive error’s gave Emmanuel Williams, whose pace was a problem for the Wisbech defence the entire game, a snap-shot well-saved by  Pledger. From a corner, Brant brought out the best in the Wisbech keeper with a firm header.

Wisbech started to put some passes together, on twenty minutes Andy Furnell set up Lee Hyde, only for his shot to go wide.  Four minutes later the visitor’s keeper, Paul Dennis, who had a superb game, blocked Furnell’s fierce drive.

The Fenmen took the lead in the 25^th minute, Lee Ellison was pulled down, and Nick Reeson scored with a superb free-kick from the right.

Back came the Essex outfit and they put pressure on the Wisbech defence, Paul Hill deflected a shot wide of the target. At the other end, on 34 minutes, Dennis dropped a Dan Steadman cross but  did well to recover and snatch the ball away from the onrushing Simon Flanz.

On 36 minutes, a timely interception by Hill prevented Brant from having a clear goal to aim for, but from the corner Steve Warner out-jumped the Wisbech defence and his header found the corner of the net for a deserved equaliser.

Six minutes later, Steadman got behind the visitor’s defence only to be thwarted by another tremendous save from Dennis.

Substitute Micky Nuttell came on after half-time and from Reeson’s cross headed the ball into the net only to be ruled offside. Five minutes later Steadman’s shot was blocked by the ever alert Dennis.

Bowers deservedly took the lead after 55 minutes, Emmanuel Williams, completely unmarked, slotted the ball home from six yards out from a cross from the left wing.

This galvanised the Fenmen, who still didn’t look a cohesive unit, into action. On the hour Dennis again denied Steadman, Nuttell wasted a good chance, while Hill directed a header from a corner wide.

After 70 minutes, a Steadman through-ball set up Furnell who stumbled as he went forward into the area allowing the visitor’s to clear their lines.

Bowers missed two good chances to extend their lead, in the 80^th minute Pledger did well to block the drive from Williams, then Brant volleyed wide from a good position.

The Wisbech equaliser came in the 86^th minute, appeals for a penalty were turned down, the ball was played back across the area by Steadman and from close range Micky Nuttell found the net.

Two minutes later Paul Goodhand’s cross was collected by Furnell whose overhead kick was saved by the keeper.  Dennis did well in the fifth minute of injury time as he again blocked an effort from Steadman.

The Fenmen will certainly have to play better than this to progress much farther in the competition.

Wisbech: Pledger, Clarke, Dear, Hyde (Goodhand 57), Hill, M. Jimson, Steadman, Reeson, Furnell, Flanz (Nuttell 46), Ellison (Crowfoot 59)

Attendance: 227

• It's thank you and good luck to the EDP's Chris Lakey who - the powers that be at Eastern Counties Newspapers have decided - has done such a good job reporting on Wisbech and King's Lynn that he has been promoted, a move which requires him to work from their Norwich Head Office.
  
  And so it is hello and welcome to his replacement, Kate Thursby, who we hope enjoys her visits to Fenland Park and that she has more victories to report on than her predecessor!

A very young Wisbech Reserves side lost 4-3 at Brightlingsea, Pepe Giuliano, Damien Nelson and Darren Jimson scored.