RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION Wisbech Town 3 Felixstowe and Walton United 0 THIS win over bitter rivals has all but guaranteed Ridgeons Premier Division survival for Wisbech. It takes them to 42 points – the target Roy McManus set when he took over as manag

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION

Wisbech Town 3

Felixstowe and Walton United 0

THIS win over bitter rivals has all but guaranteed Ridgeons Premier Division survival for Wisbech.

It takes them to 42 points - the target Roy McManus set when he took over as manager from Ian Jones and Mel Mattless in October.

The cash-strapped club was then fourth bottom with seven points from 10 games and recovering from a 9-0 thumping at Soham Town Rangers.

No team has been relegated from the Ridgeons Premier Division in recent years with less than 42 points and Wisbech still have seven matches remaining.

The last time Wisbech and Felixstowe played - on November 24 - the Suffolk club won 2-0 and reported Wisbech striker Tom Gosling to the Cambridgeshire Football Association and the police for allegedly racially abusing two of their players.

Gosling received no card during the match but featured in the referee's match report and received a 42-day ban and £50 fine from Cambs FA.

He has denied the offences and is likely to appeal.

Since then Gosling has been reported to Suffolk police, questioned in relation to two public order offences and released on bail.

It is believed somebody connected to Felixstowe and Walton contacted police and the club's conduct has brought hefty criticism from McManus.

He said: "As far as I'm concerned it was 3-0, thanks for coming, now get on your bikes back to Felixstowe. It's a long way to go if you've just been thumped."

Cambs FA officials were in attendance fearing repercussions, but a disciplined performance saw Wisbech claim their fourth win from five games.

Darren Edey's first goal since rejoining Wisbech in January gave the hosts a sixth-minute lead.

The 35-year-old striker glanced in a fine header after James McManus whipped the ball in from the right following a short corner.

Jason Pease scored directly from a corner to double Wisbech's lead midway through the second half.

A superb finish from substitute Scott Cubberley made it 3-0 in stoppage time.

The striker chased Stuart Cobb's ball over the top and cut in from the wing before coolly slotting into the corner of the net.

McManus said: "The players did exactly what I asked. Darren Edey held the ball up superbly to allow us to build attacks and when he was replaced by Scott Cubberley for the last 30 minutes, we changed tactics and utilised Cubberley's pace.

"The fans were magnificent again and they waited for every player to leave the pitch to applaud them off."

He added: "We're not taking anything for granted and I'm expecting the lads to train as hard as they have all season and look to keep picking up as many points as we can.