Wisbech Town to take on arch rivals Soham Town Rangers in cup semi-final

STEVE APPLEBY has only been Wisbech manager for a few days but he is already preparing for one of the Fenmen's most hotly-anticipated matches of the season.

Wisbech host fierce rivals Soham Town Rangers in the Cambs Invitation Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.

The Greens are still managed by former Wisbech boss Ian Benjamin and several Soham players Scott Johnson, Scott Carter, Andy Furnell, Simon Flanz, Ian Pledger and Tom Benjamin have all played for Wisbech.

Appleby said: "It's good to be in a semi-final and we know a lot of the lads at Soham, so that will add a bit of spice to the occasion, but I want my players to treat it as just another match and to not put too much pressure on themselves."

Wisbech will be bidding to reach their first final since 2001, when under Terry Back they lost 2-0 to Histon first team in the same competition.

The Fenmen were beaten by a 90th-minute winner when they last played Soham in a competitive fixture, three years ago, again in a Cambs Invitation Cup semi-final.

Out of the four teams left in the competition, Wisbech will be the clear underdogs.

Soham are currently 16th in the Zamaretto Southern League Division One Midlands table, one league above Wisbech.

Cambridge City, who play two leagues above the Fenmen in the Zamaretto Premier Division, take on Ridgeons Premier Division high-flyers Mildenhall in the other semi-final on Tuesday.

Wisbech Town website editor Spencer Larham said: "If we were knocked out of the Cambs Invitation Cup early in the season the supporters wouldn't be too fussed, but now we're in the semi-final and playing Soham this will be seen as a really big match for us."

Meanwhile, Appleby was happy with his side's performance in their 1-0 home league defeat to Leiston on Saturday.

He said: "They are a top three side and the game could have gone either way."

Tuesday's match kicks off at 7.45pm.