Wisbech Town victorious as Sam Bennett marks home debut with a goal double

Wisbech Town 2, Corby Town 1

Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division

Two goals from forward Sam Bennett on his home debut gave the Fenmen a well deserved victory after a battling display against the Steelmen this afternoon.

The former Soham and Yaxley striker showed great composure to give Wisbech a first half lead and then was on the spot to poke home a 92nd minute winner as Brett Whaley's men ended a run of nine league games without a win.

The visitors will feel aggrieved to have lost so late in the day, especially after bossing much of the second half since equalising, but the hosts can point to a 70th minute challenge on Bennett that looked to most like a stone wall penalty.

With Danny Draper missing with a neck injury, Whaley gave a first start to former March forward Brody Warren in an attacking 4-2-3-1 line up. Jack Keeble continued to partner Luke Wilson in central defence after Jon Fairweather's decision to take a break from playing.

Peterborough United youth loanee Theo Lukyamuzi also made his debut from the bench.

The first 20 minutes of the game were hard fought and scruffy with no real chances, but that all changed in the 23rd minute when Bennett controlled a dropping ball and finished well from the edge of the box.

The visitors came back and it was only a great blocking challenge from Wilson that denied them a 27th minute equaliser. Six minutes later and keeper Luke Pearson was the hero, the supporters' November player of the month getting down well to save from an Apindia Kamy Gille header and keep it goalless at the break.

Wisbech were too slow coming out of the blocks for the second half, however, and conceded within two minutes, former Stamford player Elliot Sandy crossing for Joshua Flanagan to head home.

The Steelmen then took control and should have scored in the 70th minute when Sandy was through on goal, but he was denied by an excellent Pearson save. Seconds later and Wisbech broke down the right, but the referee saw no foul when Bennett appeared to be clipped in the penalty box.

A rasping effort from Sandy in the 79th minute saw another tremendous save from Pearson.

But the penalty decision seemed to have ignited the home team and they controlled most of the final 20 minutes,getting their just rewards when a ball from the left flank resulted in a goalmouth melee before Bennett's deflected shot sealed the win deep into injury time.

Wisbech Town (4-2-3-1, l-r): Pearson; Marshall, Wilson, Keeble, Hart; Murphy, Maddison (Mcleish 93 mins); Warren, Allen (Lukyamuzi 68), Edge; Bennett (Vieira 94). Subs (not used): Osilaja, Taylor.

Corby Town: Hall, Hartley, Apindia, Sandy, White, Mulligan, Furey (Clifton 45 mins), Curtis, O'Brien, Diggin, Flanagan (Westwood 85). Subs (not used):Grubor, Gee, Idiakhao.

Star man: Sam Bennett - Luke Wilson and Jack Keeble were superb at the back and Luke Pearson had a blinder in goal, but two goals on his hard-working home debut clinches it for Bennett.

Booking: Flanagan (Corby) – foul.

Attendance: 170.