WISBECH Town captain Scott Johnson has spoken of his delight at returning from the longest injury of his career in emphatic fashion.

The full back banished all thoughts of his eight-week lay-off with a stunning strike on Saturday, inspiring the Fenmen to a 2-0 win over Kirkley & Pakefield.

Johnson, who was made captain in June, said: “I’ve been playing for 15 years and I’ve been quite lucky with injuries so that was the longest I’ve ever had on the sidelines.

“But I got a goal, a win and a clean sheet so I couldn’t have asked for a much better comeback. This is like the start of my season now.”

The 33-year-old suffered knee ligament damage in the Fenmen’s second pre-season fixture. The injury left him a mere spectator for the club’s biggest FA Cup derby for 30 years against March Town United and their worst defeat for four years against Mildenhall Town.

“It was horrible to miss the Fen derby,” he said. “I live two minutes up the road from March and it was the biggest game in years so it was gutting to miss out.

“I’ve been to most games to stay involved and it’s just good to be playing again. The league is completely up for grabs and there’s nobody in there that we can’t beat.”

Fenmen boss Steve Appleby hailed his captain as ‘immense’ after Johnson’s first-half finish and a Chris Bacon penalty gave Wisbech a comfortable weekend win.

Appleby said: “People asked the question, why have you given him the captaincy? You can see why on the field.

“He’s not a bawler. He’ll not shout at you but he leads by example. We’ve missed that big style. It’s a great boost having him back.”

Johnson added: “I’m not a ranter or a raver. I try to encourage and organise people but I think the most important thing is putting in 100 per cent.

“Some days you’re not going to play as well as you’d like but you can always give everything you’ve got. That’s the sort of captain I want to be and that’s what I try to do every time I step on the pitch.”

Wisbech host Walsham-le-Willows in the FA Vase First Round tomorrow before beginning their defence of the Ridgeons League Challenge Cup away at Downham Town on Tuesday.