Hipwell waiting for Lady Luck to smile at Wisbech as Fenmen appoint former Soham Town and Yaxley manager as new assistant boss

Wisbech Town have completed their management team with the addition of a former playing favourite.

Andy Furnell, who had two spells with the Fenmen as a player, has been named as assistant boss at Fountain Fresh Park.

The former Soham Town and Yaxley manager completes the team in the dugout with Ross McNeil and Albany Hodgson also remaining as part of the backroom staff.

A statement from the club said: "Furns brings a wealth of experience both as a player and manager, with recent spells managing at both Step 4 and Step 5 of the football pyramid.

"It is a great addition for the club, welcome back to the Fenmen."

Boss Luke Hipwell says Saturday’s home defeat to Hucknall summed up his side’s luck since he stepped into the managerial breach.

Michael Frew gave the Fenmen a 50th minute lead but the visitors equalised 16 minutes later through Luis Parkes and secured the win in the 77th minute through Niall Towle.

The Fenmen struck the woodwork twice in front of their supporters and then saw a last-gasp penalty saved.

Reflecting on the tough defeat, which leaves the Fenmen in the relegation places, Hipwell said: I'd like to thank all of the supporters who came here today.

"It was great to get more here but equally I know we need to start winning games of football if we are to keep doing that.

"I thought we started well, on the front foot in the first half but today there were many examples of when you're down there that luck doesn't seem to go your way.

"Oli (Williams) hits the inside of the post, it doesn't go in and comes back out and doesn't fall to one of our players.

"We had a few corners and half chances and I said to the boys at half-time that I felt we were a bit passive in certain areas and needed to believe in ourselves a bit more.

"I thought we did that, scored the goal and created another couple of chances. We then concede and if you concede goals like that you are probably going to get punished.

"We then had a 15 to 20-minute spell where we looked vulnerable and conceded the second goal before there was some good impact from the players who came on and put it on them for the final 10 minutes.

"We show great character and our centre-half then heads on to the bar and they sometimes go in for you when you are doing well and then we have a penalty saved."

Wisbech travel to play mid-table Newark & Sherwood United in the league tonight and then entertain struggling Kimberley Miners Welfare in the League Cup on Saturday.

"The players have been magnificent since I came in," said Hipwell.

"The endeavour, effort, work rate and heart have been there. This is a real good group and at times today we played some really good football.

"We just need to remain positive and continue to progress."

Wisbech Town v Hucknall: Shackleton, Wilson (Reed 80), Balding, Zaluzinskis, Mattless, Harris, Foster (Lines 83), Williams (Braham 73), Frew, Allen, Cavozzi (Aguilar 53).