Wisbech Town chief Gary Setchell hailed his side for keeping themselves in the United Counties League Premier Division title chase.
He admitted Town received a taste of their own medicine when being beaten 3-1 by title rivals Newport Pagnell in front of a crowd of 285 at the Elgoods Fenland Stadium last Saturday.
Wisbech trailed to two early goals in quick succession from Fazel Koriya and Michael Lyon. Tom Liversedge increased the visitors’ lead in the second period when pouncing on a weak Dan Bendon header.
Liversedge then saw red for an alleged stamp on Billy Smith, but Wisbech couldn’t make the most of their numerical advantage until stoppage time when Michael Frew’s 27th goal of the campaign provided a consolation.
“Pagnell did to us what we’ve done to a lot of teams this season,” admitted Setchell. “They got their goals and then closed the game out very well.
“After having it our own way for so long, we didn’t do enough to stay in the game and gifting them a third goal just after half-time effectively finished it. It was goodnight and God Bless at that point.”
But Setchell’s side showed great character to return to winning ways as a solitary Josh Ford goal earned a 1-0 victory at Leicester Nirvana last night (Tuesday).
He pounced after the Nirvana goalkeeper made a mess of dealing with an Aaron Hart cross with little more than a quarter-of-an-hour to go.
It meant Wisbech climbed back into second place in the standings as Pagnell were held to a 1-1 draw at Rothwell Corinthians on the same night.
“It was all about getting the win,” added Setchell. “It wasn’t a night to worry too much about the performance.
“I made some big changes including leaving my top-scorer and a couple of others lads out.
“It was a risk in a way, but I felt we needed to freshen things up a bit and thankfully it worked for us.
“It turned into a good night with Pagnell dropping points. Despite the crushing defeat on Saturday, we’re still in a good position.”
Wisbech sit three points behind Yaxley ahead of the leaders’ fixture at Eynesbury tomorrow night (Thursday). Yaxley also boast a vastly superior goal difference which is effectively worth another point.
Setchell’s men have five games to go, starting when they travel to Leicestershire side Kirby Muxloe this Saturday, 3pm, ahead of a much shorter trip to title-chasers Holbeach on Wednesday, 7.45pm.
They blew away the 10-man Tigers 4-0 on Boxing Day but will expect a sterner test in the return clash at Carters Park.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here