CAMBS INVITATION CUP QUARTER-FINAL Wisbech Town 0 Newmarket Town 5 WISBECH boss Roy McManus is expecting a big response from his players after they produced what he described as the worst performance he has seen from them since rejoining the club. The Fen

CAMBS INVITATION CUP QUARTER-FINAL

Wisbech Town 0 Newmarket Town 5

WISBECH boss Roy McManus is expecting a big response from his players after they produced what he described as the worst performance he has seen from them since rejoining the club.

The Fenmen were thumped at home by the Ridgeons Premier Division's bottom club on Tuesday night - and denied a semi-final place.

The result follows swiftly on the heels of Saturday's 6-1 drubbing at Kirkley and Pakefield in the league.

McManus said: "We were dreadful and I sat with the players for a long time after the Newmarket game to tell them exactly what I thought.

"I was going to give them the week off training this week, but changed my mind after that performance."

Playing into a strong wind, the host got off to a disastrous start and found themselves 2-0 down within three minutes.

Dave Grainger ran through straight from kick off and unleashed an unstoppable shot from distance.

The advantage was doubled when Dalton O'Brien ran on to a long ball over the top and finished.

Stuart Cobb struck then struck the post with a low cross/shot and Grant Rider and Billy Smith both failed to react the rebound.

But Newmarket scored a similar goal to their second when Grainger scored again to make it 3-0 after 25 minutes

The visitors were gifted their fourth goal on the hour when Steve Appleby, who returned from illness but looked well off the pace, slipped in the penalty area and allowed Stuart Claydon to score from close range.

And 10 minutes later the rout was completed after another defensive mix up which Wisbech failed to clear a cross and O'Brien grabbed his second goal.

McManus said: "Even at half-time when we were 3-0 down, I still thought we could win because the conditions were in our favour. But we just played hopeless long balls.

"There was no lack of effort but we couldn't get the basics right."

# Wisbech found themselves a goal behind in Saturday's defeat after just two minutes.

The advantage was doubled in the 22nd minute and Wisbech wide man Davy Shepherd was given a straight red card three minutes later for a late tackle.

The host went 3-0 up early in the second half before Rider pulled one back when he collected Wayne Morton's pass and curled the ball past the goalkeeper just before the hour.

But the hosts made the most of their extra man and made it 4-1 in the 65th minute and then scored two more in the last 10 minutes.

McManus said: "This is just a blip, not a crisis. Our performances before Christmas show what a good side we can be.