Hundreds of football fans turned their back on Brazil’s World Cup capitulation as the area’s non-league game made its comeback.
While more than 200 people at the Elgood’s Fenland Stadium didn’t see five goals in the first half – or at all for the matter – it wasn’t enough to upset those who prefer the joys of the semi-professional game rather the watching multi-millionaire stars compete in the beautiful game’s biggest competition.
And those who swapped their sofas for the terraces couldn’t complain about the fare that was offered up by fierce rivals Wisbech Town and King’s Lynn Town in the first friendly of the summer.
Although both sets of players were understandably rusty, there was more than enough quality and effort on show to keep the crowd interested – in between checking their phones in amazement as Germany ran riot.
This clash in Cambridgeshire was less one-sided, with higher-level Lynn dominating the first half, and the Fenmen the second, but it still entertained nonetheless.
Jake Jones gave Gary Setchell’s men the lead in the 20th minute but strikes from former Linnets Danny Beaumont and Adam Millson won it for the hosts after the break.
Lynn boss Setchell said: “It was a very good work-out. There was a little bit of atmosphere here. It’s a competitive match. All of the players came through it unhurt. The crowd saw a half-decent game. They saw Lynn play well first half and Wisbech second.
“Credit Wisbech. They’ve got a victory over King’s Lynn. But it’s not about that for me. What it was about for me was how well we played with the ball first half, and how poor we were without it second-half – which gives us something to work at on the training ground.”
Beaumont’s 55th-minute volley, on his Wisbech debut following a summer switch from Dereham Town, was a cracker. And Millson slotted one of his own home with about 15 minutes to go to seal the win for Dick Creasey’s troops.
The Wisbech boss said: “I was pleased because the lads listened to what we said at half-time and adhered to it. The result, in all fairness, doesn’t mean anything to me, like it doesn’t to Setch.
“It’s all about getting things right for when the season starts and the pleasing thing was some lads excelled themselves and set the bar for themselves. All in all it was a good pre-season friendly.”
Lynn return to action at Deeping on Saturday while Wisbech have to wait until Saturday, July 19 for their next outing at home to Colney Heath.
Wisbech: Jordan, Spafford, Johnson, Cousins, Fairweather, Cartwright, Reed, Millson, Beaumont, Reid, Smith. Subs used: Cobb, Whiting, Bayliss, Green.
Lynn: Street, Ramm, Fryatt, Quigley, Ward, Yong, Thomson, Bridges, Bell, Jones, Mulready. Subs used: Stocker, Butt, Frohawk, Stannard. Unused: Pearson
Other scores: Thetford Town 2 Dersingham 1.
Friendly: Wisbech Town 2, King’s Lynn Town 1
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