Defensive frailties exposed as Wisbech exit Cup
Haverhill Rovers 4, Wisbech Town 3
FA Cup Preliminary Round
The scoreline might suggest this match was a seven-goal cup thriller. It wasn't. It was a defensive horror show from the visiting Fenmen.
Twice they came back to equalise after giving away soft goals but were ultimately the architects of their own downfall by letting in two more in a second half they dominated.
A performance like this against a side a level lower than them in the non-league pyramid does not bode well for next week's opening league game at Leek Town, a team that would probably be a league higher were it not for coronavirus halting the 2019/20 season.
A hamstring injury to attacking midfielder Danny Draper and a shoulder problem for right back Jay Whyatt after a fall, compounded to manager Brett Whaley's concerns , although subs Avi Vieira and Beckham Kennelly came through unscathed after recent issues themselves.
After a comfortable opening, Wisbech conceded after 11 minutes when Daniel Toyer was given a ridiculous amount of space in the box after a one-two and smashed home beyond keeper James Goff, who was making his debut.
It only took Wisbech six minutes to level, however, two other players making their competitive debuts combining as Jack Gurney's cross from the right was bundled in by Liam Adams.
But, after 23 minutes, Rovers regained their lead, the visiting defence taking social distancing to the extreme as Ben Bradley was allowed to control the ball and choose his spot from 18 yards.
Three minutes later it was Ryan Gibbs' turn to run through unopposed and shoot, but this time Goff pulled off a good, low save.
Words were obviously said at half time and the Fenmen came out with a renewed purpose. Adams saw a low shot wonderfully saved after 56 minutes and, after 68 minutes, it was 2-2, when Dylan Edge chased down a ball heading for the home keeper, squeezed it past him and blasted into an empty net.
At this stage there only looked one winner, but Wisbech were determined not to make it easy. The home side went straight down the other end, Bradley hitting the post from distance and Haines' drive from the rebound being well saved. From the resultant corner, Rider turned in at the far post to make it 3-2.
Wisbech's heads went down and there was no real threat to the home goal for a few minutes, before things got worse 11 minutes from time.
Tall defender Marvin Emmanuel – also making his competitive debut – was harried while trying to shepherd the ball back to Goff and brought down his man. The resultant free kick was swept home superbly by Bradley for his second of the afternoon.
Back came Wisbech and Edge saw a stinging effort well saved before, with four minutes left, substitute Vieira – the fourth player making his competitive Fenmen debut – scored from close range after a corner, to pull it back to 4-3.
The visitors were piling on the pressure now but Rovers were defending for their lives. The final chance saw another sub – Kennelly – picked out superbly from a Gurney cross, but he headed over.
Even then there was time for another defensive calamity, Edge and Goff getting into trouble near the halfway line and releasing the Haverhill attack, who mucked up a great chance to score a fifth.
This was a poor show from Wisbech and they have to improve massively if they are to stay out of Northern Premier League south east division relegation trouble. With their record over the last two seasons and the geography of the league making it difficult to attract players, Whaley has put a young, talented squad together.
But talent is wasted if you do not play as a team and if you panic and let your heads go down when things go against you. And the players need to be more vocal – there were not many leaders out there today.
Wisbech: Goff, Whyatt (Kennelly 77 mins), Marshall, Murphy, Keeble, Emmanuel, Draper (Williams 40), Gurney, Edge, Adams, Maddison (Vieira 77). Subs (unused): Grogan, Kimber.
Booked: Whyatt (dissent).
Attendance: 170.
Star man: Jack Gurney – showed quality on the ball and kept trying.
