New Wisbech Town captain Charlie Baxter says he was “encouraged” by his side’s performance in their 5-3 loss to City of Peterborough in their Premier A opener at Harecroft Road.

Wisbech took the lead through Ash Welland, who latched on to Daniel Martell’s pass and finished at the second attempt.

But the rest of the half was a disaster for the hosts, who went in to the break 4-1 down.

The second half began with Wisbech dominating possession and they scored their second when Will Denny finished off a fine counter attack.

Martell brought Wisbech back into the game to make it 4-3 when he reacted quickest after Ed Batt’s drag flick thudded off the Peterborough keeper’s pads.

But Wisbech were reduced to 10 men after keeper Tom Peggs overreacted to a penalty flick being awarded to the visitors, which Peterborough converted.

Baxter said: “We came off the field disappointed that we didn’t get anything out of the game.

“Having fought back to 4-3 we thought we’d get something but going down to 10 men and conceding a fifth goal made things difficult.

“Last season we lost 7-1 and 8-2 to City of Peterborough so they probably expected an easy ride. We certainly didn’t give them that. It was an encouraging performance.”

Baxter is confident going into Saturday’s game at Dereham.

He said: “We beat them last season. If we perform how we did in the second half, I’ve every confidence we’ll come away with the result.”

Wisbech Town Ladies came from behind to win 2-1 at Cambridge City II in East Women’s Division 1N.

A sloppy defensive error led to Wisbech conceding a cheap goal just a few minutes before half time.

The ladies fought back strongly and, after a period of sustained pressure, their efforts paid off when Sophie Culshaw neatly deflected a well executed short corner driven in from the top of the D by Laura Overland.

Culshaw latched on to a perfectly timed pass from Jane Peggs to grab her second goal and the winner.