Back to Clarence Park where we entertain the Fenmen, Wisbech Town of the Doc Martens Eastern Division in the replay of the F.A.Trophy, 1st round match that was drawn, 1-1, on Saturday. Waiting for the winners of tonight's replay are the Trophy holders, Canvey Island in the 2nd round. I see that Wisbech are away at Eastbourne in a League match this Saturday. Some of their fans
may choose to continue on to the East Coast tonight.
For tonight, The Dynamic Duo selected Willmot in goal; 3 at the back, initially: Moran, Brown and Honeyball; 4 in the midfield: Honeyball, Evans, Smith and Rattle; in front of them Nabil; and in front of him: Martin and Ansell. I say initially as at times it was 4 at the back and at other times 5. It seemed to be reactive, however rather than pro-active. On the bench were Fenton, Burns, Blythe and Heider. Cook is injured along with Bignal, Mackail-Smith and Attwood.
A dream start for The Saints. Inside two minutes, a cross from the left was met by the Wisbech defender who, under no pressure, mis-headed the ball to loop over his keeper. 1-0. To their credit, Wisbech fought their way back into the game although Wilmot was not unduly troubled. The two wingers are very quick but the side lack firepower in front of goal. City looked the more threatening of the two teams, and just before the interval, good work wide on the right by Honeyball, who had a second consecutive good game
tonight, and a teasing cross into the box was headed home well by Martin.2-0. H.T.
The vocal crowd hoped that City would take control for the second half but Wisbech would not lie down and continued to press without looking that dangerous. For their part, The Saints midfield played in with little cohesion but looked dangerous in fits and starts. Nabil and Smith had a quiet game and
Ansell, whilst still lacking match-fitness, played too deep. The goal was worth waiting for when, on 75 minutes or so, Evans pounced on a half-clearance and volleyed home from 15 yards. 3-0. Martin was replaced by Fenton, Ansell by Burns and Nabil by Blythe, injured, knackered, and injured
respectively. F.T. 3-0.
Wisbech worked hard. The wingers, the right back and the keeper impressed but the strikers did not perform over the two games. City were worthy winners.
They were comfortable at the back but lacking in the middle. Martin had a good game. Ansell will get much better with a few more games. The crowd was, perhaps 250 or so, with a small but loud choir led by the evergreen Farmer (John, not Paul). Some 50 or so made the long mid-week trip from The Fens.
Entertainment 7/10. Atmosphere 8/10. Technical Merit 6/10. Referee 7/10.
Next up. Back to League action away from home on Saturday at Hitchin. A bit of 'history' between the officials of the two clubs should keep the temperature up in the Canaries boardroom and the dug-outs.
Report by Homer |
