No way back after Fenmen concede early goals

Wisbech Town 1, Stocksbridge Park Steels 3

Northern Premier League south east division

Wisbech gave themselves a huge mountain to climb on Saturday by conceding twice in the opening eight minutes - and never looked capable of recovering.

The fast, direct visitors from Sheffield opened the scoring within a minute when a ball into the area evaded the head of defender Tom Curtis and was slotted home by Scott Ruthven.

Eight minutes later a free kick was given away on the right, just outside the box and home keeper Sam Wilson left too much room and was beaten at his near post by Josh Nodder. Not the best way to make a home debut.

There was a chink of light, however, for Wisbech after 13 minutes when a flowing move led to a goal. A great ball down the right saw Aaron Hart cross for Joel Earps to pull one back from close range.

For a while, Wisbech had their heads up and a towering header from Lee Marshall was comfortably saved before a fierce drive from Jay Whyatt was well saved. The home side then went close as a cross from the left by Marshall was looping into top corner and had to be pushed away by keeper Ed Hall.

But that was about it from the home side and at half time the visitors still led.

Stocksbridge effectively sealed the points after 53 minutes when a great crossfield ball found the impressive Lewis Whitham just outside area on the left and he curled an exquisite effort into far corner.

Hart did go close for the Fenmen after 73 minutes when his snap shot from 12 yards was superbly saved by keeper Hall, but the last 20 minutes was all Steels.

Luke Mangham fired just over from the edge of the area, Fenmen keeper Wilson made a double save to deny first Mangham and then Swinburn before Mangham screwed another effort just wide.

The final whistle couldn't come soon enough and Wisbech left the pitch knowing they'd been well beaten.

Wisbech: Wilson, Whyatt, Marshall, Kaye, Curtis, Spencer (c), Hart, Setchell, Earps (Richardson 66mins), Philip (Nassunculo 55), Maddison (Rogers 55). Sub (not used): Shackleton.

Booked: Whyatt (dissent).

Attendance: 197.

Also...

MATCH ANALYSIS AND PICTURE GALERY: The final say on Wisbech Town v Stocksbridge Park Steels

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