March Town draw in the FA Cup while ten-man Wisbech Town crash out, and Parson Drove and Whittlesey Athletic both defeated in the league
It was a winless Saturday for Fenland’s senior football teams with March Town drawing at home in the FA Cup, Wisbech Town suffering late heartbreak in the same competition and Parson Drove and Whittlesey Athletic both losing in the league.
Striker Sam Bennett gave Wisbech the lead in their extra preliminary round tie at Haverhill Rovers from the penalty spot after 16 minutes.
Five minutes later, Rovers’ Tom Thulborn was brought down but missed the resultant spot kick. However, in the 26th minute, James Seymour equalised for the home side. That’s the way it stayed up to half-time.
Ryan Lennon was yellow carded for the United Counties Premier North visitors on the hour, and just six minutes later, the Fenmen were down to ten men when Luke Nicholson was sent off.
Just two minutes after the red card, the Thurlow Nunn Premier side took the lead through Seymour’s second, but with seven minutes remaining, Bennett’s low free kick was deflected in, and the all-Step 5 encounter looked like it was heading for a draw.
However, a penalty was awarded to The Rovers five minutes into added-on time after a cross was handled, and it was scored to seal Seymour’s hat-trick and knock Luke Hipwell’s side out of the Cup at the first hurdle.
Over at March, it was another all-Step 5 clash as United Counties Premier South side March entertained Thurlow Nunn Premier visitors Soham Town.
Both sides had chances in either half, with March hitting a post in the 65th minute, but the breakthrough never came for The Hares or The Greens. The replay will be a Soham on Tuesday evening, with the winners at home to Thurlow Nunn Premier outfit Ipswich Wanderers, who beat Lakenheath 2-1 today.
In the Thurlow Nunn First Division North, the home side rued missed chances as a second-half goal from Johnny Kerridge gave early leaders Framlingham Town a 1-0 win at Parson Drove, while Whittlesey Athletic suffered a 4-0 defeat at Sudbury Reserves, who fielded many first team players.
Next Saturday, Wisbech entertain Kimberley Miners Welfare in United Counties Premier North, while in the Premier South, March are away to promoted side Nuneaton Town.
In the Thurlow Nunn League, Parson Drove are away to newly-promoted Kings Park Rangers, and Whittlesey are without a game.
Wisbech Town: Watson, Perry-Burdett, Knowles, Nicholson, Dear, Williams (Harris 45), Lennon (Fridd 78), Barker, Bennett, Conyard, Ward (Harris 86). Subs (not used): Chag, Falcao, Acheampong. Star man: Sam Bennett. Attendance: 134.
March Town: Gill, Francisco, Brumby, Saunders (Green), Emmington, King, Cotton (Tsaguim), Hook, Hill-Seekings (Allen), Foy (Escorcio), Henson. Sub (not used): Munns. Star man: Liam Hook. Attendance: 298.
Parson Drove: Coates, Singleterry, Stewart, Brown, Thirkell, Kyereme, Kent, Dalton, Easey, Bayole, Kingston. Subs: Jackson, Gilbert, Richardson, Hall, Wallace. Star man: Adam Coates.
Whittlesey Athletic: Foulger, Fryett, Bates, Briggs, Lilley, Kyle Hibbins, Strange, Kieran Hibbins, Williams, Graham, Jobling. Subs: Carter, Myrie, Paul, Redhead, Ward.