Wisbech Town manager Luke Hipwell gives his thoughts on United Counties Premier Division North draw at Deeping Rangers
Wisbech Town boss Luke Hipwell believes a draw was the right result in the Boxing Day derby at Deeping Rangers.
Robert Conyard gave The Fenmen a 16th-minute lead but former Wisbech man Matty Sparrow equalised for the home team five minutes later.
Wisbech’s Ethan Wilson and Rangers’ Josh Moreman were shown red cards for late challenges in the second half as both managers faced their former clubs.
The Fenmen are now five points clear of the United Counties Premier North drop zone.
Hipwell said: "I think it was a typical derby game really where players from both sides left nothing out there to be fair.
"I thought we started well in terms of what we were trying to do by overloading in certain areas and isolating on the opposite side.
"That worked initially with Lenny (Ryan Lennon) obviously going through on goal before a lack of composure but he's brilliant in terms of his work rate and endeavour for us.
"We kept the impetus and got the goal after a great header from Rob who headed down in the corner and gave the goalkeeper no chance.
"We then took our foot off the gas and they started to come into the game by working the angle's in midfield well.
"I've said in my previous interviews that they're a good side and they exploited us.
"We had a few odd spells during the rest of the half but they got the equaliser with a well-worked goal and a great finish from Matty Sparrow and arguably he was the best player on the pitch. He was a real thorn in our side the whole game.
"We've got through to half-time by showing the resilience and team effort that I demand from my sides. We tweaked a few things but I felt they started out on the front foot again as opposed to us."
Hipwell had no complaints about the dismissal of youngster Wilson.
"The sending-off was a high tackle," he said.
"There was no malice in it but I think their lad has made the most of it and had it been one of my players then I would have told them to do the same.
"Ethan was good again and was playing well for us at the time. Young Noah (Freeman) came on again and was outstanding and as the game went on I thought we were in the ascendancy for the last 10 to 15 minutes.
"Noah has slipped the ball through to Fozzy (Elliot Foster) late on and it was a great save from their goalkeeper.
"Both Will Langford snd Steff (Cavozzi) were also great when they came on and it's great to see our substitutes impacting the game.
"I think it's a good point but I don't think we deserved anything more than a point based on the play, but again it's another game ticked off and a point in the right direction."
Former Fenmen boss Whaley's side are five points behind Wisbech in the league standings but do have two games in hand,
Wisbech: Lakin, Wilson, Williams, Nicholson, Harris, Braham (Freeman 55), Bennett, Falcao, Conyard (Foster 66), Lennon (Cavozzi 88), Ward (Langford 82). Sub (not used): Gilbert.
Attendance: 235.
