Wisbech Town delivered a sizzling first-half showing to maintain their United Counties League Premier Division title challenge last Saturday.

Wisbech Standard: Danny Setchell scored a penalty and created three other goals in Wisbech Town's 6-3 victory against Leicester Nirvana. Picture: IAN CARTERDanny Setchell scored a penalty and created three other goals in Wisbech Town's 6-3 victory against Leicester Nirvana. Picture: IAN CARTER (Image: AdGarry Samuels)

The second-placed Fenmen blew away Leicester Nirvana as they roared to a 6-3 success in the Elgoods Fenland Stadium snow.

Leading scorer Alex Beck made a seventh-minute breakthrough after out-muscling a defender to finish a fine Richard Bunting pass.

Fellow frontman Michael Frew soon doubled the advantage with a smart header from Danny Setchell’s free-kick before defender Jamie Stevens got in on the act with his first two Fenmen goals.

He struck with a fine shot on the turn following another Setchell free-kick delivery - a landmark goal for more than one reason as it was also Wisbech’s 100th in the Premier Division this season - and then headed in a corner from the same supplier.

Wisbech Standard: Celebration time for Michael Frew during Wisbech Town's 6-3 victory against Leicester Nirvana. Picture: IAN CARTERCelebration time for Michael Frew during Wisbech Town's 6-3 victory against Leicester Nirvana. Picture: IAN CARTER (Image: AdGarry Samuels)

Josh Ford added a fifth goal with the aid of a goalkeeping error before Nirvana found the net.

The visitors added two further goals in the second period before Setchell completed the scoring from the spot after Frew was felled by the Nirvana goalkeeper.

“We came out of the blocks unbelievably well and absolutely bossed the game against the wind,” said manager Gary Setchell.

“We raced into the 5-0 lead after 33 minutes and it was great to get the 100 up for the season in the process.

Wisbech Standard: Top scorer Alex Beck fires the opener in Wisbech Town's 6-3 victory against Leicester Nirvana. Picture: IAN CARTERTop scorer Alex Beck fires the opener in Wisbech Town's 6-3 victory against Leicester Nirvana. Picture: IAN CARTER (Image: AdGarry Samuels)

“Admittedly we were poor in the second half, but we still picked up a big win against another team who are chasing promotion.

“We’ve only lost two games since September in the league so we must be doing something right.”

One of those defeats was at Harborough last month and the Fenmen go on a revenge mission when the Leicestershire side visit the Elgoods Fenland Stadium this Saturday, 3pm.

And Setchell envisages a much-improved display from his high-flying team this time around.

He added: “Harborough deserved their victory at their place, but they faced us on the day we produced our worst performance since I’ve been here.

“I’ll be very, very disappointed if we perform to that level again and we can’t afford to do that either.

“Every game and every point matters in the title race.”

Wisbech goalkeeper Paul Bastock has signed a dual registration deal with Southern League Premier Division promotion-chasers Kettering Town, but fixtures for the Fenmen will always take priority.

Setchell is keen to add a couple of players to his squad before the transfer deadline at the end of March. He has drafted in a familiar face to work as his assistant manager.

Darren Edey, who held the same position at title rivals Holbeach until leaving reacently, has returned to the Fenmen fold. Edey has previously assisted Setchell and Dick Creasey, and also played for the club during Roy McManus’ reign as manager.