Wisbech Town boss Leon Mettam pays tribute to captain Kegan Everington after great, late win
Wisbech Town manager Leon Mettam paid tribute to his captain Kegan Everington after his ten men beat Sherwood Colliery this afternoon.
Everington had missed the last three games for deeply personal reasons but returned earlier than expected to lead his team to their best victory of the season (read the match report here).
After the win, Mettam said: "The guy I'm most pleased for today is Kegan. He's had a tough two or three weeks away from the football club. But as my captain, my leader, my right-hand man on the pitch, he didn't look like he'd been away for a minute.
"Life is tough at times and he's had to grow up so much over the last few weeks. There's much more important things than football, so this win is for him."
Mettam added: "Last week we were brilliant with 10 men against a strong Anstey outfit, then in midweek we were terrible in the county cup against Great Shelford, and then today, our keeper is sent off after 15 minutes and I'm thinking 'not again'.
"So, I've hardly got the words to say how I feel about the boys. I'm so pleased for them. I'd have took a draw. But days like today are why we do it, because after a performance like this my heart is bursting for the boys, the club, the fans, the chairman, me and (assistant manager) Danny Brooks.
"We always have a game plan and if you put a high press on against teams at Step 5 they are not really good enough to break it but we don't always press in the right way.
"And, at this level, you have got to run through brick walls and burn your lungs, not let them score, not let them have it. Today, my lads could not have carried it out any better, especially with 10 men."
Asked if the win was a turning point, Mettam added: "If I can get four weeks good, one week average and then another four good, that will be a turning point, but I don't think this is one yet. But hopefully people can see what we are trying to do.
"We are a young side and I'm trying to bring in experience. Max (Mattless) was brilliant today with his experience, headed everything and put his body on the line."
Next week Wisbech play at Anstey Nomads in the last 16 of the United Counties League Knockout Cup. The Nomads beat the Fenmen 3-0 at Wisbech last week, although the home side played very well, again with 10 men.
Mettam said: "First of all you hope for a home tie, and then you hope for an easier tie, but we're going to a tough place to play a team who are flying. But it's not Liverpool, Man Utd or Man City, it's Anstey.
"We will go there in high spirits after today, we'll have a good training session on Wednesday and the boys will be buoyant. You have to face everyone to win the Cup."
