FA Vase First Round Wisbech 4 Felixstowe & Walton United 0 Felixstowe & Walton crashed out of their second national competition of the season at the first stage as the host side adjusted to the conditions far better than the visitors, writes Phil Griffiths.

East Anglian Daily Times: Callum Bennett lifts the ball over Wisbech keeper Paul Bastock to go close for the Seasiders. Picture: STAN BASTONCallum Bennett lifts the ball over Wisbech keeper Paul Bastock to go close for the Seasiders. Picture: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)

With the near gale force wind in their faces in the first 45 minutes, the Fenmen went back to basics, getting the ball forward as quick as possible for their two front men to chase.

With two coaches making the trip into the Fens, there was plenty of support for the Seasiders in the 280 crowd, but the partisan home supporters were given plenty to shout about as their side took an early lead and never looked back.

The game was just four minutes old when centre back Jamie Stevens hit a long crossfield ball into the path of Alex Beck, who found himself unmarked eight yards out and struck a first time volley past Danny Crump.

Felixstowe did try to get the ball down and play, but too often over-hit their final pass with the wind at their backs, although they should have been level in the 15th minute when Bennett ran through from his own half, playing a neat 1-2 with Jennings to get into the Wisbech six-yard box before lifting his shot over the ‘keeper but wide of the far post.

East Anglian Daily Times: Felixstowe unsuccessfully claim for a penalty as Craig Jennings (blue) is tackled by by Wisbech centre back Adam Millson. Picture: STAN BASTONFelixstowe unsuccessfully claim for a penalty as Craig Jennings (blue) is tackled by by Wisbech centre back Adam Millson. Picture: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)

It was the best chance the Seasiders created over the 90 minutes, and when Jennings was upended in the box by Stevens two minutes later for what looked a stonewall penalty, only to be waved away by the referee, the visitors got the feeling it was not to be their day.

That was compounded in the 20th minute when Crump turned Beck’s shot onto the bar and away for a corner, and Fairweather had a free header at the far post from the flag kick to make it 2-0.

It was 3-0 immediately after the break when Frew scored from an acute angle with the wind at his back, and the visitors’ woes were compounded when Dan Davis put the ball into his own net, trying to divert Murphy’s cross in the 73rd minute.

East Anglian Daily Times: Wisbech keeper Paul Bastock saveS from Felixstowes Callum Bennett, who takes a flyer. Picture: STAN BASTONWisbech keeper Paul Bastock saveS from Felixstowes Callum Bennett, who takes a flyer. Picture: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)