Saints rue missed chances but take a point
Wisbech St Mary 2, Sheringham 2
Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League division one north
If, as now seems increasingly likely, the Saints do finish bottom of the table this season, they will only have themselves to blame.
Although vastly improved since Alex Kaufman and Ash Taylor took over at the start of October, they have too often surrendered winning positions and failed to kill games off.
On the bright side, Kaufman is constantly improving the team and, if there is no relegation in May, which is a strong possibility, St Mary will be nowhere near the bottom of the table next term.
Of the latest recruits, Ryan Harnwell – formerly of Ely City and March Town – will score lots of goals when fully fit, ex-Raunds man Fernando Bao looks strong in the middle of the park and can also play left back, Jermaine Watson is good on the left, whether up top or in defence, and another striker, Clifford Williams, came off the bench on Saturday.
Teenager Florian Tsaguim, signed from March in November, was a revelation against Sheringham and looks to have a great future.
On Saturday afternoon, against a team chasing promotion and looking for a seventh straight win, Saints bossed the first half. They were strong, committed, always on the front foot and deservedly led 2-0 at the break. Two glorious chances to make it 3-0 were spurned and the visitors allowed to fight their way back into the game, just as King's Lynn Reserves were last month.
Saints started on the front foot and were one up within a minute when Corey Kingston – playing in a deeper role than usual – was played through and unselfishly squared for Tsaguim to tap in. Sheringham came back and forced Dan Smith to make a great save after nine minutes to deny top scorer Tim Cary.
But the home side were the better team and could have made it two when the onrushing visiting keeper Andrew Jackson denied Kingston after 31 minutes. Cary then saw a drive whistle agonisingly wide for the Norfolk team before the Saints went two-up with a carbon copy of the first goal. This time it was Tsaguim running down the right and squaring for Harnwell to tap in.
The home team started the second half on the front foot and Adam Richardson fired a fierce effort straight into the arms of Jackson before a great run and shot from Tsaguim was saved.
Then came the two gilt-edged chances Harnwell will be ruing over before he laces his boots up again in two weeks' time. In the 53rd minute, Kingston ran down the left and squared to the striker who side footed over from 15 yards when he should have scored.
Nine minutes later, a great through ball put in Harnwell again. He showed fantastic feet to go round the keeper but was denied by a fantastic tackle as he was about to shoot into an empty net.
And that was the glimmer of hope Sheringham needed. They went straight back up the other end, won a free kick and Daniel Crosby's low effort made it 2-1. Seven minutes later they were level, Cary driving home his 20th of the season from the edge of the box.
But, unlike the game against Lynn Reserves, Saints didn't buckle. They fought their way back into the game and nearly got all three points in the final minute when Tsaguim skilfully dribbled into the box and saw a strong, low effort well saved.
WISBECH ST MARY
Smith, Willmott, Watson, Chilton, Goult, Beckett, Tsaguim, Bao (Hutton 80 mins), Harnwell (Williams 85), Richardson (Miller 72), Kingston.
SHERINGHAM
Jackson, Hinton (Sands 89 mins), Wenham, Halliday, Cox, Crosby, Rogers (Abbott 70), Smith, Cheese, Boyce, Cary. Sub (not used): Webster.
REFEREE
Christopher Dennis.
GOALS
Tsaguim (1-0, 1 mins), Harnwell (2-0, 44), Crosby (2-1, 64), Cary (2-2, 71).
BOOKINGS
Boyce, Cheese (Sheringham).
STAR MAN
Florian Tsaguim – scored one and made one for Ryan Harnwell. The 17-year-old was a constant threat and put in by far his best performance in a purple shirt.
Also...
Saturday night results service
Previously...
Wisbech St Mary 1, Haverhill Borough 3
Wisbech St Mary 3, Felixstowe & Walton United Reserves 0
Wisbech St Mary 1, Great Yarmouth 1
