Ridgeons Premier Division: Wisbech Town 4 Hadleigh United 1

FLYING winger Matt Lunn tore Hadleigh United to shreds on Saturday as Wisbech Town moved up to fourth in the Ridgeons Premier Division by waltzing to a 4-1 victory.

Lunn starred in the sunshine at the Elgood’s Fenland Stadium, scoring one goal and setting up two others as the Fenmen banished all thoughts of their rollercoaster fortnight with three valuable points.

It was Lunn’s clever pass that put Callum Reed through to open the scoring, before the winger struck himself after the break.

Captain Neal Spafford and midfielder Lewis Thompson were also on target before Robert Canfer headed a late consolation for the visitors.

The Fenmen faithful were expecting to see a performance to follow up their side’s emphatic 2-1 win over high-flying Dereham Town last week.

But there were no signs of a similar effort in the opening exchanges as Wisbech failed to find any fluency. Corners were over-hit, tackles were missed and the defence looked lethargic.

An injury-hit Hadleigh side struggled to find any rhythm themselves, with speculative long range efforts all they could muster.

Wisbech, who failed to prompt even one save from the visiting ‘keeper in the first 20 mins, were finally sparked into life after 25 minutes.

Jon Fairweather was pulled down on the edge of the box and Callum Reed’s tempting delivery required a good clearance.

The Fenmen proceeded to win three corners in the next three minutes - all brilliantly whipped in by Reed - but despite a strong header from Spafford the deadlock was not broken.

Warning signs were there for Wisbech as Hadleigh almost caught them out on the break. Rayner was down well to save Daniel Allen’s shot before the Hadleigh winger smashed his rebounded effort into the side netting.

Wisbech’s main threat began to surface through the power of in-form striker Chris Bacon and the trickery of Reed. Bacon’s flick was collected by Reed in the 32nd minute, but the talented midfielder curled his 25-yard shot inches wide.

Bacon was the provider again moments later. The forward delivered a teasing cross which birthday-boy Fairweather headed straight at Hadleigh goalkeeper Louis Johnson.

Seconds later the Fenmen took the lead. Lunn, who had looked subdued for the first half an hour, suddenly came to life. His run from midfield was followed by a beautifully-weighted pass, which was calmly driven into the bottom corner by Reed.

The advantage was one that Steve Appleby would later admit his side “barely deserved” - but it gave them the momentum heading into the break.

And Wisbech started the second half in commanding fashion with the introduction of Nick Davey. The striker replaced Callum Reed, who was suffering from illness, and he immediately made his mark, clipping a left-footed effort just wide of the post.

The most memorable moment of the game came soon afterwards as Lunn showed the sort of flair which can see him rip defences apart.

The winger embarked on a mesmerising run, beating three players before smashing his shot against a defender. Fortunately, the ball bobbled back to him and his second shot - hit with twice as much venom - thudded into the bottom corner from the narrowest of angles.

Wisbech suddenly began to play the sort of football which saw them start this league campaign at a canter.

The impressive Sam Murphy swung in a delicious cross which was headed straight at the ‘keeper by Bacon before Lunn was denied his second by a fine diving save.

Wisbech found a deserved third goal in the 69th minute, with Lunn again at the centre of things.

The winger’s pace proved to much for the Hadleigh full-back and his deflected cross was met by the right boot of Spafford who sent the ball crashing past the ‘keeper.

Three goals to the good, and the Fenmen were rampant.

The nightmare continued for Hadleigh in the 74th minute as Paul Jones - on for Anthony Reeve - drifted over a corner from the right. The ball broke to Thompson, who smashed his volley into the top corner.

Bacon and Lunn went close again as Wisbech tried to worsen the rout - but the Fenmen soon began to tire in the heat.

Hadleigh, who had offered nothing in the second half, seemed to save their best football for the final 10 minutes.

Kristopher Rose headed off-target for the visitors before a speculative effort from Ben Deacon sneaked just wide.

Hadleigh got their consolation in the 86th minute when Canfer rose to head home a good free-kick from Warren Taylor-Holt.

But it was Wisbech who were celebrating moments later, as the final whistle sounded to seal a comfortable victory.

The victory was made sweeter by news that Mildenhall Town - who a fortnight ago crushed the Fenmen 9-0 - had lost 2-1 to FC Clacton, allowing Wisbech to move above them into fourth.