THE problems of an ever decreasing squad were brushed aside on Saturday, November 3, as St Albans City put in a competent performance, only to be denied victory during a hostile final few minutes at Fenland Park in the FA Umbro Trophy first round.

At a time when Saints appeared to have secured their place in the second round, near pandemonium broke out as Wisbech Town, quite literally, fought their way back into the tie.

With the seconds ticking away, the game was delayed while the referee went behind the visitors' goal in an effort to restore calm among the less endearing members of the Cambridgeshire club's supporters, who threw coins at City keeper Richard Wilmot.

But most uncomplimentary was the manner in which the Fenmen's coach was banished to the stands during added time for manhandling Jon Rattle after the St Albans defender had tangled with Wisbech's Dan Steadman.

As for the game itself, City, eighth in the Ryman League Premier Division, dictated for long periods, but Wisbech, languishing inside the bottom three of the Eastern Division of the Dr Martens League, came back strongly in the second half to create a number of good chances prior to grabbing their late equaliser.

After a deadlocked first half, City were subjected to a burst of pressure early in the second however, Gary Ansell hit back to score a classic counter-attacking goal on 58 minutes.

Just when it seemed Wisbech's fire had been extinguished, missiles were thrown at Wilmot from behind the goal, and the atmosphere immediately became more charged, despite the referee's attempts to restore calm.

With their concentration dented, City returned a long throw by Jimson back out to the Wisbech midfielder, he crossed, and with just 17 seconds of normal time remaining Lee Hyde headed the equaliser to Wilmot's right.

For the full story, see the St Albans Observer on Thursday, November 8.

November 7, 2001 15:43

By David Tavener