Wisbech Town earn a replay in FA Cup but March Town crash out, while Parson Drove win away in the league
All three of Fenland’s senior football teams were on the road today, with contrasting results.
Wisbech Town gained a great battling 1-1 draw at Dereham Town in the FA Cup, while March Town crashed out of the competition with a 3-1 defeat at Newmarket Town.
In the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division North, Parson Drove were 2-1 winners at Wivenhoe Town.
Wisbech travelled to Dereham bottom of the United Counties League Premier Division North with two defeats out of two and no goals scored, but held their Eastern Counties League Premier Division opponents.
Starting this FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie with manager Alex Street making a rare appearance between the posts, the Fenmen conceded after seven minutes from a Charlie Clarke effort. However, defender Theo Braham equalised on his debut after 31 minutes, battling his way through the box from a corner and slotting it into the back of the net.
A well-contested first half finished 1-1 and that’s how the match stayed, with The Magpies - who had 43-year-old former Norwich City striker Grant Holt playing at centre back - now visiting Fountain Fresh Park for a replay on Tuesday evening.
United Counties League Premier Division South side March crashed out of the Cup at the first stage, however, after losing 3-1 at Newmarket, who play their football a step higher in the Isthmian League North Division after finishing second in the Eastern Counties last season.
In a thrilling end-to-end first half, the Jockeys took the lead after just three minutes through Jose Santa De La Paz on his debut only for Dan Bucciero to level for the Hares three minutes later.
Isaac Maynard headed the home side 2-1 up in the 25th minute and Newmarket wrapped up the win with another debut goal, from sub Stan Leech, 11 minutes from the end.
Parson Drove got their first points on the board with a 2-1 win in Essex. Gabe Kerr gave the home side a 23rd-minute lead after Drove keeper Chris Brazil sliced a clearance under pressure., and they held on to the break.
The visitors hit back on the hour when Byron Adiado made it two in two games with a curler into the corner and clinched the win when Jack Kent scored his second of the campaign from a coolly taken penalty after a foul by the keeper.
As already mentioned, Wisbech entertain Dereham in the Cup on Tuesday evening before travelling to play AFC Mansfield in the league next Saturday. March host early leaders Aylestone Park in the league next Saturday and Drove are at FC Peterborough in the League Cup on Wednesday evening before hosting Framlingham Town next Saturday.
Wisbech: A Street, M Carter, J Balding, T Braham, M Mattless, O Williams, J Reed (Gadsden 85), T Allen (Foster 76), H Murkin, E Wilson, D Roberts. Subs (not used): Hoyle, Lines, Goult.
March: J Gill, D Bucciero (S Cavozzi), J Saunders, J Withers, D Emmington, A Brumby, J Burrows, S Green, D Cotton, H Biggs (D Escorcio), A Williams (L Cowie). Subs (not used): S Callaghan, L Pepper.
Parson Drove: Brazil, Singleterry, Bello-Matthews, Lilley, Thirkett, Kyereme, Adiado, Taylor, Gaye, Kent, Dalton. Subs: Stewart, Dos Reis, Adamycz, Duke.