Defeat for Wisbech St Mary but it could have been so different
Wisbech St Mary 1, AFC Sudbury 3
Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Division One North
A frustrating performance from the Saints saw them fall to a fourth defeat in four league games this afternoon but it could and should have been so different.
With such talented players as Ryan Lennon, Danny Setchell, Matty Harris-Hercules, Dale Parnell and Christian Carter, they should be a match for most teams in this division.
But lack of decisiveness up front and a tendency to let their heads go down when things aren't going their way cost Stuart Beckett's men this afternoon .
And a late sending off for captain Setchell for an elbow offence and a 10 minute sin binning for Charlie Rudland suggests the manager may have to keep an eye on his side's discipline too.
The home played against a strong win in the first half but started brightly, with Setchell pulling the strings. He nearly gave his new side the perfect opening after three minutes but his shot from outside the box was deflected over for a corner.
The flashpoint of the first half came after 18 minutes when a great pass from the right by Dale Parnell found Setchell in the box, but he appeared to be bundled over as he prepared to shoot. A penalty and the red card which would have surely followed would have changed the direction of this match, but the referee saw no foul.
And, after 33 minutes, the visitors made sure they went in at half-time a goal to the good. Harris-Hercules dwelled on the ball too much when trying to get a shot away, Sudbury broke and Joe Morriss scored after home keeper Joe Tarris had saved well from Jasper Lawrence.
And it got worse in the opening seconds of the second half when Morriss crossed for Rauf Kabangu to head home.
Saints still had a whole half with the wind behind them, but the sun was now shining into their faces and Sudbury maximised the weather conditions by playing long balls whenever they could.
Beckett threw on Christian Carter and the attacking midfielder showed some lovely moves and some great footwork, but couldn't find the killer pass needed to undo resolute opposition.
Still, the home side dominated possession without creating clear cut chances. Harris-Hercules volleyed over after a good cross from the left by Rudland on the hour, but Rudland was then sin binned for 10 minutes for dissent, which took the home side off the front foot.
On his return, Saints pushed forward again but still created nothing solid. Harris-Hercules hit the side net from an angle and Setchell's cross-shot was parried by the keeper but there was no-one to follow up.
Then, Sudbury mounted a quick break in the 86th minute and Ollie Mayhew crossed from the left for Morriss to side foot home Sudbury's third.
It looked, though, like Saints had saved the best for last when an excellent through ball by sub Harvey Neale saw Lennon lob home with aplomb. But any thoughts of a comeback went during the next attack, when, following a free kick into the Sudbury box, Setchell swang an elbow into the head of an opponent and received a straight red.
Saints: Tarris, Sewell, Willmott, Goult, Miller, Rudland, Lennon, Setchell, Baker (Carter 56 mins), Harris-Hercules, Parnell (Neale 80). Subs (not used): Beckettt, Lake, Bishop.
Star man: Ryan Lennon – worked hard, was a good vocal presence and took his goal well.
Booked: Bateson (Sudbury, dissent), Smith (Sudbury, foul), Rudland (Wisbech St Mary, dissent), Setchell (Wisbech St Mary, foul).
Sent off: Setchell (Wisbech St Mary, violent conduct).
