NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: New captain Coe at the double in first Wisbech St Mary success of the season

Jack Friend hit a last-gasp winner for Wisbech St Mary. Picture: IAN CARTER (Image: AdGarry Samuels)

The new-look Saints shared four goals with Needham Market Reserves in their First Division North opener last Saturday before collecting a first victory of the new campaign in midweek. New skipper Ben Coe bagged both goals in a 2-1 triumph at Swaffham Town last night (Tuesday).

Duke said: “It’s been a really positive start. We deserved the point against a fit and well organised Needham side and then beat an experienced Swaffham team.

“We gave a really good account of ourselves there. It was great to see Ben get his first goals for us and all the new lads have settled in really well.”

Saints hit an early opener and a late equaliser in their 2-2 Saturday deadlock against Needham Market Reserves – a match played in front of a crowd of more than 100 at the ABC Quality Meats Stadium.

Jack Friend hit a last-gasp winner for Wisbech St Mary. Picture: IAN CARTER (Image: AdGarry Samuels)

New recruit Sol Goodby made a sixth-minute breakthrough but Saints found themselves behind after conceding twice early in the second half.

And it stayed that way until the final minute when Jack Friend coolly converted from the penalty spot after Stuart Beckett had been hauled to the ground.

And Saints didn’t have to wait long for a first victory of the new campaign as Coe opened his goal account for the club at Swaffham.

He was actually denied by the woodwork early on before finding the net with a fine free-kick on the half-hour.

Saints were pegged back 10 minutes later but the decisive goal arrived two minutes into the second period when Coe converted a pass from Craig Ablett.

Saints host Debenham LC, who have lost their opening two games, this Saturday.