Dramatic late victory for Wisbech Town, FA Cup cruise for March Town, good home win for Parson Drove and battling defeat on the road for Whittlesey Athletic

Wisbech Town made it three home wins out of three in the league this season and moved up to second in the table as an amazing late recovery saw them score two goals in second-half stoppage time to beat visitors Harrowby United 2-1.

Luke Hipwell’s Fenmen had been trailing to a goal deep into the first half, added on time by The Arrows’ Logan Waby and seemed to be heading for a disappointing United Counties League Premier North defeat.

However, sub Ryan Lennon pulled the home side level with his first goal of the season from a 93rd-minute penalty, and striker Rob Conyard netted his third of the campaign to steal the points in dramatic fashion in the 98th minute.

March Town are through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after a comfortable all-Step 5 win this afternoon against an Ipswich Wanderers side that played the whole of the second half with 10 men.

Ash Taylor’s United Counties Premier South Hares won 2-0 in the Preliminary Round tie against their Thurlow Nunn Premier visitors from Suffolk to secure their place in Monday lunchtime’s draw.

March led Wanderers at half-time through new signing Rio Henson’s second goal for the club after he pounced on a moment’s defensive hesitancy after 23 minutes. Things got worse for the Suffolk side in first-half stoppage time when defender Mason Harvey was sent off.

Toby Allen lost his marker to put the Hares two up after the break, also his second of the campaign, and the home side missed several chances to make the scoreline more convincing.

Parson Drove followed up a thumping 4-0 win at Holbeach in the Thurlow Nunn League Cup on Wednesday night with a narrower 1-0 home succe against Clacton in the First Division North.

Arran Duke’s men and The Seasiders played out an entertaining first half with chances at either end, but it remained goalless at the break.

Drove were the dominant side after the break, and with time running out, Liam Thirkell found himself unmarked from a throw-in and scored the all-important winner, his first of the season.

Finally, Whittlesey succumbed 4-3 to a side that went into the game with a 100% Thurlow North record, but not before they gave it a hell of a go.

Stuart Zanone gave Essex coastal side Holland the lead against Athletic from the penalty spot after 14 minutes, only for the visitors to equalise soon after. However, Zanone’s second made it 2-1 to the Jaffas after 23 minutes, and three minutes later, Harry Brown made it 3-1, remaining that way until half-time.

Athletic, showing the kind of fight that hauled them up the league from a relegation place last season, were not beaten and pulled another goal back on the hour to make it 3-2. But Harry Sibley finally guaranteed the points for the home side when he scored in the second minute of added-on time.

But even then, Kevin Gilbert’s side pulled another back, in the 98th minute. Lee Briggs and Kyle Hibbins with two were the scorers.

March Town: Gill, Francisco, Brumby, Green, Emmington, King, Cotton (Escorcio), Hook (Saunders), Allen (Hill-Seekings), Foy (Tait), Henson (Tsaguim). Star man: Sam Green. Attendance: 192.

Wisbech Town: Watson, Perry-Burdett, Barker, Sam Harris, Mattless, Miller, Luke Harris, Dear (Lennon 56), Conyard, Bennett (Gascoigne 66), Ward (Falcao 73). Subs (not used): Knowles, Martindale. Star man: Sam Harris. Attendance: 183.

Parson Drove: Coates, Jackson, Harry Wallace, Archie Wallace, Thirkell, Kyereme, Hall (Cogins), Gilbert, Kent, Bayole (Doshi), Mead (Robalo). Sub (not used): Stewart. Star man: Archie Wallace.

Whittlesey Athletic: Dawid, Strange, Ward, Fryett, Briggs, Lilley, Kyle Hibbins, Gale, Kieran Hibbins, Jobling, Paul. Subs: Papworth Boston, Williams, Redhead. Star man: Alfie Fryett.

Next Saturday, Wisbech entertain Woodbridge Town in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Vase. The Woodpeckers are bottom of the Thurlow Nunn Premier with three defeats from three and lost 5-2 at Histon in the FA Cup today.

March, who have a bye in this round, are in league action away at Easington Sports.

In the Thurlow Nunn League, Whittlesey have two home games, entertaining Holbeach United on Wednesday night and Long Melford on Saturday.

Parson Drove travel next Saturday to play Gorleston Reserves.