Frickley defeat makes it five out of five for Wisbech
Wisbech Town 0, Frickley Athletic 4
Pitching In Northern Premier League South East Division
After just five games of the season, there is no getting away from the fact that Wisbech Town are in a relegation fight.
Another heavy defeat at the Fenland Stadium this afternoon means the Fenmen are rock bottom and without a point – but the good news is, only one team go down and Market Drayton Town and Sutton Coldfield Town look equally in danger of taking that spot.
Once again this afternoon, the Fenmen played well for long periods, but a goalkeeping error and a wrongly-awarded free kick saw them 2-0 down at the break. A defensive mistake and a goal of quality completed the defeat in the second half.
It's tough for Brett Whaley and assistant Chris Lenton. It's always difficult attracting players to north Cambridgeshire in what is essentially a northern league and some players without the stomach for the fight have already left.
In addition, the club is run sensibly and doesn't offer silly money, but this journalist believes they do have a manager in Whaley who is good enough to get the most out of the group he has and keep his team in this league for next season, when it becomes much more regionalized in Wisbech's favour.
Whaley brought in Andre Williams for his first start of the season, replacing Danny Draper on the right wing, with Draper switching to the left, Merson Styles dropping back to left back, captain Liam Marshall switching to centre back and Beckham Kennelly pushing into midfield, with Jay Whyatt dropped to the bench. Keeper Luke Pearson also started after his first game after injury.
In an even start to the match, Liam Adams saw a fierce drive clear the Frickley bar and the dangerous Jonathon Margetts twice threatened for the visitors, first seeing an effort brilliantly blocked by Styles and then heading over from a free kick.
But the defensive mistakes which have haunted Wisbech in their first few games returned after 21 minutes. Keeper Luke Pearson called for a ball delivered into the area, the defence left it, Pearson didn't get it and Margetts rolled it into an empty net.
Wisbech rolled up their sleeves and got into the game but were dealt a cruel blow on the stroke of half time when Frickley were given a very soft free kick 30 yards out. But there was nothing lucky about the resultant free kick, which Margetts zipped into the top corner.
Frickley were happy to sit back and counter after the break as Wisbech dominated possession but created little. The visitors gave away many free kicks with niggly fouls, mostly in good positions. But Draper, Styles and Marshall were unable to put them to good use.
And the visitors wrapped up the points in the 80th minute when Wisbech reacted slowly to a free kick, Margetts' shot from a narrow angle was saved by Pearson's feet but Nyle Blake pounced on the rebound.
And the final goal came in the last minute when Blake got on the end of a flowing move to crash a low shot into the net.
The final score was rough on Wisbech, but, when you don't create any clear chances and give away two soft goals, the result is only ever going to go one way.
WISBECH TOWN (4-2-3-1): Pearson; Bucciero, Marshall, Grogan, Styles (Whyatt 88 mins); Kennelly, Murphy; Williams (Edge 45), Adams, Draper; Vieira. Subs (not used): Emmanuel, Gadsden, Goff.
FRICKLEY ATHLETIC: Smith, Barks, Blake, Hotte, Miller (Hugo 81 mins), Jordan, Shrimpton (McLauchlan 85), Everington (Wightwick 90), Tomlinson, Margetts, Williams. Subs (not used): O'Reilly, Saxby.
GOALS: Margetts (21 mins, 45), Blake (80, 90).
BOOKED: Wisbech – Adams, Murphy, Bucciero (fouls); Frickley – Blake, Shrimpton (fouls).
STAR MAN: Beckham Kennelly – adapted well to a new midfield position, did the simple things well and never gave up.
REFEREE: Emily Heaslip.
ATTENDANCE: 208.
WHO'S NEXT: Lincoln United (A) – Tuesday.
PREVIOUSLY...
Wisbech Town 2, Newcastle Town 3
Wisbech Town 0, Worksop Town 3
Haverhill Rovers 4, Wisbech Town 3
