Wisbech boss furious with his side’s home defensive display against AFC Mansfield

Wisbech Town manager Alex Street was critical of his side’s defensive showing after a 4-3 home defeat to AFC Mansfield.

The Fenmen took the lead no fewer than three times at Fountain Fresh Park – only to gift the visitors the points with an inept display at the back.

“It’s disappointing,” admitted Street after the game.

Wisbech celebrate a goal. Picture: Erin Larham

“Keeping the same back four as we did last week so we can build partnerships, to let the goals in we have today is criminal.

“It’s so odd. I’ve had to be patient with my defenders but you can’t score three at home and give them four.

A huddle before kick-off. Picture: Erin Larham

A huddle before kick-off. Picture: Erin Larham

“We are creating chances and scoring goals, Toby (Allen) has got another two but they’re probably buzzing and will feel that their game plan has worked.

“It’s not very often that my full-backs get the better of their wingers and it seems to be an reoccurrence down the left-hand side.

“That’s no fault of Pat (Kacirek), who gives us 100 per cent, but it just isn’t good enough at times.

“Some of them are trying to earn their shirts for next season but with an inconsistent performance like you go away scratching your heads.

Harry Grigas. Picture: Erin Larham.

More celebrations against AFC Mansfield. Picture: Erin Larham

“We had the highs of last week with us being aggressive going forward and our defensive display to this.

“We’ve let goals in and left ourselves out to dry. In the last nine games we’ve conceded 17 goals and that’s just not acceptable.

“It’s a problem and something we’ve got to address as we can’t keep expecting our strikers to score so many goals.”

Left-sided player Alfie Wrenn joined was announced as the Fenman’s latest arrival last week while Lewis Thompson has come in as player-coach.

“I will speak to Mel (Matless) about it this week,” said Street.

Max Matless and Andre Williams. Picture: Erin Larham

Andre Williams. Picture: Erin Larham

“Obviously we’ve got a new lad in. We signed him in a rush this week and he wasn’t able to play because of work commitments but he’ll be available next week.

“Football is a cruel game and you can’t keep trusting your players as they will get you the sack. That’s where we are at.

“We are trying to build up a bit of momentum and do things the right way but you never know which team is going to turn up each week.”

The Fenmen took the lead after 24 minutes when Toby Allen turned his man and bent a good effort into the bottom corner.

The visitors hit back eight minutes before the break from an own goal, but Wisbech regained the lead within two minutes, Max Mattless picking up a loose ball in the box and sending a rocket into the back of the net.

Amir Ward. Picture: Erin Larham

Harry Twite. Picture: Erin Larham

However, The Bulls came straight back through Keelan Grist and made it 2-2 at half-time with a goal in the 40th minute.

Wisbech took the lead again after 64 minutes when Allen converted his 18th of the season from the spot after being brought down in the area, but the visitors would not be beaten and pulled level for a third time five minutes later through Kaylum Mitchell.

Two minutes after that they took the lead for the first time, through Mitchell again, and held on to win 4-3.

The defeat leaves the Fenmen still in tenth place.

Next up for Street’s side is a fourth attempt to play their Cambs Invitation Cup tie at home to Cambridge University Press on Tuesday night before Hucknall visit in the United Counties League Premier Division North on Saturday.

Callum Howe. Picture: Erin Larham

“We’ll look to Tuesday now and the Cambs Cup, if it ever gets played,” said the Wisbech boss.

“I’ll rest a couple and go from there. We’ll give people minutes who need them.

“Mel and myself can see it all, they won’t keep shafting us. It’s the lads around them who are working hard who are being let down by others.”