Plenty of positives in defeat as Wisbech St Mary beaten by Norwich CBS
Wisbech St Mary 0, Norwich CBS 3
Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division North
For anyone looking through the scores this evening, today's result must look like a routine victory for a play-off contender at a side rooted at the bottom of the table.
However, that's far from the case. Today we saw two decent, competitive teams perform in an equal, enjoyable match – with the one that made the better decisions in the final third walking away with all three points.
There is a chance Saints won't register a win this season, but I've seen enough since Paul Hunt took over the reigns in October to know that once he's added some extra quality to this young squad, next season will see a much more competitive outfit at Beechings Close.
Several times today, Saints had opportunities where that final ball was just not right, or, more frustratingly, an attacking player strayed offside at the vital time.
At the other end, CBS were given one sniff in the first half and scored. The home side lost possession in defence after 11 minutes, teenage keeper Tyler Key saved well from Charlie Clarke, but Robbie Priddle tucked in the rebound.
An early blow, but Saints kept at it and could have levelled after 22 minutes when hard working midfielder Michael Chow's 20-yard drive caught visiting keeper Joe McLoughlin flat-footed, but went just the wrong side of his near post.
The rest of the half was nip and tuck and you could tell from the fractious talk of the visiting players that the game was a lot harder than they had anticipated.
Matters remained on an equal footing at the start of the second period. Key made a great, low save to keep out a close range header after 55 minutes, but two minutes later Josh Brooke had a good attempt for Saints which just cleared the bar.
The home side were really building up a head of steam now and it was only a reaction save from McLoughlin that kept the scores level on the hour, after Josh Williams had deflected Ben Smith's cross/shot towards the net.
But CBS sealed victory with 10 minutes to go, a fabulous 25-yard free kick by Jamie North giving Key no chance. Hunt threw on two more forwards to try to get something back, but Saints were caught open at the back and a great lob from Clarke wrapped up the win.
Wisbech St Mary: T Key, Smith, Bird, Goult, Robinson, Chow (Baker 81), Willmott, Castallan, McKenna (Tansley 63), Brooke (A Key 81 mins), Williams. Sub (not used): Boughen.
Norwich CBS: McLoughlin, Wiley, Bailey, Saunders, George, White (C), North (Conroy 85 mins), Johnson (Applegate 65), Horton, Priddle (Bussens 85), Clarke. Subs ( not used): Pye, Blythe.
Booked: Chow, Willmott (Wisbech St Mary) – fouls.
Star man: Michael Chow - energetic and hard working in midfield.
