Wisbech Town manager praises departing midfielder as his side draw Boxing Day derby

Wisbech Town 1, Deeping Rangers 1

United Counties League Premier Division North

Wisbech Town manager Alex Street paid tribute to departing midfielder Aaron Hart as his side drew their Boxing Day derby at Fountain Fresh Park this afternoon.

Hart left the club after today’s game after taking a new job in Manchester, leaving Street on the lookout for a new signing.

The Fenmen boss said: “Aaron has been outstanding for us and his shoes will be hard ones to fill, so I need to get an experienced midfielder in. We had the luxury of John Challinor on loan but I need to get someone in permanently to steady the ship.

“We have the money in our budget to get the right player but I am not wasting money on an average player. Sometimes things just fall on your doorstep and teams cut budgets this time of year, so we’ll keep looking.”

Eighth-place Deeping took a 58th-minute lead in today’s game when a low shot from outside the box by Liam Hook found its way into the back of the net, but the home side pulled back four minutes later when Toby Allen was fouled in the penalty area by Will Moxon and Sam Murphy converted from the spot.

Street added: “The lads did well, they dug in and I am happy with a point. For both teams, it was all about getting a result today after bad defeats on Saturday. I don’t think Deeping came to hurt us that much.

“There was error after error leading to their goal and we were punished for it. But we didn’t fold and it spurred us on.

“Toby (Allen) up front was excellent for us and was a real threat all game. He won us the penalty and from there I thought there was only one winner but their keeper made a couple of great saves.

“I thought Pat (Kacirek) played really well at left back and Amir (Ward), Andre (Williams) and Toby were really good up front, the midfield started slowly but got better and better.

“The top three aside, this is one of the most competitive Step Five leagues I have been a part of and if you don’t turn up, you will be punished, as we were on Saturday.

“There is room for improvement and still things to work on, I need to get a couple of more players in and an assistant manager but it needs to be someone who can develop our football and give us a bit of identity with the ball.”

On Saturday, Wisbech are at second from bottom PInchbeck, who won 3-1 at Deeping last weekend, and Street added: “They will be looking at us as a winnable game and we’ve got to go there with the right mindset to get another away win.”

Wisbech: George, Reed, Mattless, Twite, Kacirek, Hart, Murphy, O Williams (Wilson 90 mins) Ward, A Williams, Allen (Conyard 80). Subs (not used): Howe, Hall.

Star man: Pat Kacirek.

Booked: Aaron Hart.

Attendance: 207.

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