Two crucial away games for Wisbech Town after toppling league leaders Eastwood
Wisbech Town go into two crucial away games against the United Counties League Premier North’s bottom two knowing that two wins will secure their safety for next season.
The Fenmen produced their performance of the season in beating league leaders Eastwood 2-1 on Saturday and are now eight points clear of the drop zone with six games remaining - although they have played two games more than the teams in the drop zone.
Following Saturday’s brilliant win, Luke Hipwell’s men travel to 19th place Kimberley Miners Welfare on Saturday before a trip to play basement boys Shirebrook Town the following week.
“Football is hard work and you have to bring performances such as the Eastwood win along every week, not just when you’re playing the top team,” said Hipwell.
“We need to play like that for the next two games which are both crucial as if we win them, we will be safe. If we lose the next two we are looking behind us again.”
Striker Sam Bennett scored both goals as The Fenmen turned the form book upside down at Fountain Fresh Park on Saturday. Kern Miller went straight into the starting line-up after returning to the club from Harrowby United and midfielder Sam Murphy came off the bench in the second half after long-term injury.
The Fenmen held their own against the promotion favourites until conceding right on half-time when Aaron Fordjour smashed home from close range.
Bennett equalised for the home team after 73 minutes when he got on the end of a free kick into the box and netted his second five minutes later and his seventh in 15 Fenmen games this season after a great through ball from Murphy.
Hipwell added: “When you look at the effort, workrate, heart and desire against Rugby and compare it to last week against Belper, it is like night and day. I don’t usually doubt myself but I had been soul-searching over the last couple of weeks over whether I was getting it right.
“I changed formation today to counteract what I thought they would do and it worked. But it’s nothing I don’t do week in, week out as far as looking at the opposition and planning goes. Ultimately, it’s about the players carrying that out and, to a man, they were a credit to the football club.
“I am really proud of the whole group. It was a brilliant team effort and it shows what potential we have in the group. We were good on the break and we had to sit back, but when we did get the ball we were good with it.
“I thought the tempo of the game was very high and reminded me more of a Step 4 game in terms of the level of quality and the pace of the game.
“Conceding right on half time after containing them well could have killed us and in recent weeks we may have then gone two or three down but we regrouped, stayed in the game and then a great finish from Sam pulled us back and it was there for the taking.
“Eastwood became a bit passive and invited us in a little bit. The second goal was exactly what we were trying to do on the counter-press and was another great finish from Sam.
“We then had ten minutes of defending for our lives, albeit we created a couple of counter chances to score again ourselves. It just shows the level of potential we have here.
“The win was really important for the supporters as well and the win was for them. They turn out week in, week out in good numbers and they deserved that. And after the match, what a brilliant atmosphere.
“We still want higher crowds but we need to produce more performances like that to get them. With Wisbech, if you put the effort in and show heart and desire, you’ll always get full backing from the fans.
Wisbech Town: Lakin, Wilson (Falcao 70), Barker, Harris, Mattless, Miller (Murphy 54), Harris, Lennon, Conyard (Williams 79), Bennett (Acheampong 89), Ward. Subs (not used): Young. Star man: Will Lakin. Attendance: 155.
