Fantastic win for Wisbech Town and good away point for March Town, but disappointing defeat on the road for Whittlesey Athletic and home thrashing for Parson Drove
Striker Sam Bennett scored two late goals as Wisbech Town turned the form book upside down to beat league leaders Eastwood CFC 2-1 at Fountain Fresh Park this afternoon.
The Fenmen are now eight points clear of the United Counties Premier North drop zone with six games to go after inflicting just a fifth defeat in 30 games on the top side.
Kern Miller went straight into the starting line-up after returning to the club from Harrowby United and The Fenmen held their own against the promotion favourites until conceding right on half-time when Aaron Fordjour smashed home from close range.
Bennett equalised for the home team after 73 minutes when he got on the end of a free kick into the box and netted his second five minutes later and his seventh in 15 Fenmen games this season to secure an unexpected win for Luke Hipwell’s side, who have also beaten second-place Bourne Town at home in a topsy-turvy season.
A second-half equaliser from sub Harry Biggs earned fourth-place March a point in their tough away fixture on the artificial pitch of third-place Rugby in United Counties Premier South.
The Hares saw a first-half penalty saved and then went behind to Gerard McGahey’s 12th goal of the season after the break. But Biggs popped up to score his third of the campaign after 85 minutes.
With eight games remaining, Ash Taylor’s side are two points clear of the pack chasing the play-off places.
Parson Drove were thrashed 5-1 at home in their local derby against play-off chasing Holbeach United in the Thurlow Nunn First Division North. Former Wisbech player Pat Kacirek gave The Tigers a ninth-minute lead from close range and Jordan Oldham headed in a second ten minutes later.
Carl Compton dinked in a third after 26 minutes and Ryan Cook made it 4-0 at the break. With 11 minutes to go, Jordan Keeble won and converted a penalty to make it 5-0, with Gerson dos Reis scoring an 83rd-minute consolation for Drove.
Fourteenth-place Whittlesey Athletic missed a first-half penalty as they lost 1-0 at 12th-place Sudbury Reserves. Captain for the day Jack Bates was Athletic’s man of the match.
Wisbech Town: Lakin, Wilson (Falcao 70), Barker, Harris, Mattless, Miller (Murphy 54), Harris, Lennon, Conyard (Williams 79), Bennett (Acheampong 89), Ward. Subs (not used): Young. Star man: Will Lakin. Attendance: 155.
March Town: Gill, Burrows, Saunders, Green, Henderson, Brumby, Cotton (Williams), Foy, Gillies (Escorcio), Allen (Biggs), Tsaguim. Star man: Adam Brumby. Attendance: 113.
Next Saturday Wisbech, March and Whittlesey all play bottom two sides in their respective leagues. The Fenmen are away at second-from-bottom Kimberley Miners Welfare, The Hares travel to basement boys Godmanchester Rovers and Athletic are at home to second-from-bottom Needham Market Reserves.
Parson Drove entertain mid-table AFC Sudbury Reserves.
