John Challinor at the double as Wisbech Town seal first league win since September
Wisbech Town 3, Boston Town 1
United Counties League Premier Division North
Fenmen manager Alex Street praised the togetherness of his squad as they picked up their first league win in nearly three months on Saturday.
Two first half goals from veteran midfielder John Challinor and a late penalty from substitute Rob Conyard were enough to seal a first United Counties League Premier Division North win for Wisbech since Sleaford Town were thrashed 6-1 on September 5.
Street’s men now travel to play mid-table Heanor Town on Saturday before entertaining Cambs County League outfit Cambridge University Press in the Cambridgeshire Invitational Cup on Tuesday week. High-flying Melton Town will then be the visitors to Fountain Fresh Park the following Saturday.
The only blot on a good weekend for Wisbech was a first half injury to striker Michael Frew, who required hospital treatment for a cut leg after a late tackle.
Wisbech took a sixth minute lead when winger Andre Williams crossed for Challinor to finish but The Poachers equalised within seconds when home keeper Dan George hit a back pass straight to Jordan Nuttell, who easily scored.
Challinor restored the lead from another Williams cross after 24 minutes to make it 2-1 at the break, and Conyard netted from the spot after a foul in the area during second half stoppage time.
Street told the Citizen: “My front three were excellent before Frew got injured, they were outstanding. They really did carve open Boston’s defence with their link-up play and their build-up.
“We worked on a few things in training on Thursday about making those three more effective and it showed as we created good chances and took them.
“There were two great finishes from Challinor and it’s always positive when things you work on in training work on the pitch and that happened a few times.
“We gave away a terrible goal and my keeper knows it and is disappointed but Boston didn’t really hurt us and my defence stood up to be counted. They headed, defended, squeezed players and it has been really good to see the partnership that Sam Murphy and Max Mattless have formed in the centre there.
“Having the skipper (Mattless) back in the team regularly helps as well as he’s a good leader and a big part of this team and he is getting himself more and more fit and it is starting to show.
“I thought Callum (Howe) did really well last week but Harry Twite (back from International duty with Bermuda) gives us a little bit more height and I knew that Boston play a lot of long balls and Harry stood up to them.
“He’s been running up and down the wing like Marcelo and for a lad who has been a centre back I have enjoyed watching him play there (left back).
“Joe Reed (right back) has also been doing well in our defence. We’ve got to get him fitter and he knows it, but our whole defence is starting to look very good, it’s been a joy to watch for the last couple of games and I think they are building good relationships with each other on and off the pitch and the group is connecting.
“When we got the third goal they all celebrated together as it meant a lot to them to get that win. We are in a bit of a hole but their togetherness is great and I am really proud of them. We rode all the waves coming from Boston and it was thoroughly enjoyable to watch us defending properly.”
Wisbech Town: George, Reed, Twite, Hart, Mattless, Murphy, Ward, Challinor (O. Williams), Frew (Allen), Wilson, A. Williams (Conyard). Subs (not used): Howe, Street.
Star man: John Challinor.
Attendance: 155.
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