Wisbech pick up a point against high-flying Newark and Sherwood in a day of firsts for the Cambridgeshire club
Wisbech Town 2, Newark and Sherwood 2
United Counties League Premier Division North
It was a day of firsts as Wisbech Town came from behind to share the spoils with Newark and Sherwood United at the Fountain Fresh Park Stadium.
There was a first home goal for recent arrival Rob Conyard, who registered from the club's first penalty award in the league this season, and a first league draw of the campaign for Leon Mettam's side [read his reaction here].
And although Mettam's troops were forced to come from behind to secure a point, a draw was the least the Fenmen deserved for an excellent performance against their high-flying visitors.
Wisbech – missing three key players through suspension – were excellent from the first whistle to the last in front of their home fans.
With regular custodian Luke Pearson suspended, goalkeeper Alex Street – back at the club where he first started a distinguished career in the non-league game – started between the posts, while there was a first start in midfield for midweek signing Arrun Jones.
Fenman fans also got their first glimpse of a new-look strike force with Conyard partnering Reuben Matthews up top in their opening home game of 2023.
Wisbech should have been a goal to the good after five minutes with Sisa Tuntulwana seeing his effort from Danny Brooks' corner saved on the line by visiting goalkeeper Harry Haywood before Conyard's follow-up was also cleared off the line by the last defender.
Three minutes later, Kegan Everington then picked out Amir Ward with a peach of a pass but Haywood again came to Newark's rescue by saving with his legs.
After weathering the early storm, Newark and Sherwood scored with their first attack of the game.
Nyle Blake outpaced the home defence and, despite the best efforts of Chris Ward on the line, the visiting player made sure his effort found the back of the net.
On the stroke of half-time, Wisbech were handed a lifeline from the penalty spot after Tuntulwana was adjudged to have been fouled just inside the box.
Conyard stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, rifling his effort past Haywood with power into the top left-hand corner.
The home side stepped up their dominance after the break and found themselves camped in the Newark half for the opening 20 minutes of the second period.
Jones, who enjoyed an excellent debut, spotted Haywood well off his line and the midfielder's audacious lob from just past the halfway line looked to be heading into the back of the net until the back-pedalling Haywood rose the slightest of fingertips to divert the ball behind for a corner.
But the Fenmen didn't have to wait much longer before getting their noses in front after assistant boss Brooks took everyone by surprise by scoring direct from a free-kick from all of 30 yards with the Newark and Sherwood defence expecting a delivery into the box.
Wisbech had further chances to increase their lead with Everington's cross flashing across the face of goal before he hit another effort straight into the arms of Haywood.
There was little Wisbech could do about Newark and Sherwood's equaliser 18 minutes from time though as Ainsley Finney beat Street all ends up with a stunning volley on the edge of the box.
Both sides pushed hard for a winner and it was Wisbech, who brought on Mo Janneh and Kyle Onyon for the final few minutes, who looked the more likely to get it.
Saying that, the hosts were indebted to Amir Ward for making a last-ditch tackle on Kieran Cummings in the box as the game went into stoppage time.
The Fenmen were excellent value for their point and on another day, with a bit more luck in front of goal, it could have easily been all three.
Wisbech Town: Street, Tuntulwana, Amir Ward, Wallace, Chris Ward, Brooks Jones, Everington, Marshall (Onyon 79), Conyard, Acar (Janneh 77). Subs not used: Kacirek and Mettam.
Star man: Danny Brooks.
Attendance: 148.
Gt a sports report? Email it to kris.johnston@iliffepublishing.co.uk
