Report: 4th XI Men vs Wisbech Town 3s – September 27, 2025

The fours travelled the short distance to Wisbech looking to put behind the demoralising defeat against Peterborough the prior week. And they did this in style, despite losing the game with two late goals seeing the hosts come out with a 3-1 win.

Again, the youth policy of Spalding saw seven 14-year-olds play in a squad of thirteen and all did extremely well, with their hosts complimenting them on how well they had done.

Playing against a side that had been relegated from Division 4NW last season, the cards in theory were always going to stacked against the travelling side however they gave their hosts one heck of game and on another day could have come home with a share of the spoils.

However, it could also be said that Spalding also had their own share of luck as well with shots flying just past the posts and Wisbech certainly created the lion share of the chances.

Wisbech took the lead midway through the first half after Spalding had kept the home side at bay comfortably. Steve Thurlbourne in goal had an excellent game and had no chance with the cross shot after a good move that finally saw the hard-working defensive line of Kev Sawyer, James Giles, James Morris & Sam Hicks breached who had coped with the pressure extremely well.

Spalding’s head didn’t drop, they just rolled up their sleeves and with Dylan Hind being a constant thorn in the side of Wisbech with the experienced Ed Sly starting to orchestrate things in midfield Spalding started to create chances. Add to this the superb hard work of Jake Sawyer, Cheston Palmer and Matthew Dorsett at the front gave the home side a lot to think about defensively.

Spalding kept probing and probing with Alex Myland and Fred Neal on the wings working their socks off with fantastic running and tracking of their players and it was due reward for the away side when they equalised when Andy Barlow was left in space at the top of the D and fired home into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to equalise after another great move including Alex, Dylan and Cheston.

One all at half-time and all to play for.

The second half started in a similar fashion however the far more experienced Wisbech side started to show why they would be one of the top teams in the league and starting to play the ball around. However, Spalding kept going and battling away but as time wore on, legs got tired and Wisbech scored two late goals to give the home side three points with Spalding just being overwhelmed at the back.

But it would be wrong to say that Spalding had been thrashed. They gave the home side one heck of a game and came away with a lot of plaudits. Wisbech also should get plaudits for the sporting way that they played the game and huge thanks go to the home umpires who did an excellent job.

The fours play their next game against Long Sutton in a far better frame of mind, knowing now that they can play against, and well, on paper the far ‘better’ teams and give them a game. With morale restored, this should be a good game.

MOM: Ed Sly

DOD: Dylan for his frankly unusual trousers…. And Sam