Six months away added extra excitement to the evening trip to Trafford Park, writes Darren Wiseman. No amounts of face masks, yellow and black tape and one way systems round the clubhouse would change that sense of expectancy. Wroxham had some new faces in the squad in a team looking to push on this season after a promising one last time round.
After so long away, most of the Yachtsmen eleven had a reasonably familiar look to them. Sutton started in goal with Dodsworth and Hill at full back. Tom Huckerby and Jackson Ramm formed a new centre defensive partnership, screened by the forever young Simon Lappin. He covered the centre with Harley Black and Shaun Taylor and with Ryan Miles and Brad Spooner out wide. The burly James Cooper led the line. The Yachtsmen walked out on a pleasant evening at Trafford Park, alongside a young but strong Norwich City Academy side. The youthful Canaries kicked off kicking towards the Kenny Cooke stand, once again housing the Blue Wave.
The first couple of moments of the match were notable for two dreadful clearances from Sutton - both shanked badly, both putting the home team under unnecessary pressure. This chaotic start was crowned with the opening goal. Stewart played a beautiful ball forward to Springett who was brought down by Huckerby from behind. The pacy number 7 dusted himself off and buried the spot kick to give the visitors the lead.
The rest of the opening 10 minutes saw the Yachtsmen start to find their feet. Their opponents had a potent threat in their rapid attack, but the Yachtsmen held their own very well. On 12 minutes Miles played a great ball in from the left across the face of the goal, but Cooper just couldn't reach it.
With the Yachtsmen pressing, City used their weapon to deadly effect. Kamara broke from a defensive clearance and buried the ball past Sutton for 2-0, with barely 15 minutes played.
The home side kept battling though, despite the early mountain to climb. On 17 minutes a ball across from the left found Dodsworth arriving on the edge of the box. He made a great connection, but the ball was always rising and went over the target. On 25 minutes Wroxham did get back in the game. A corner was sent in from the right and Cooper rose to head unchallenged. He couldn't quite reach, but the unsighted defender behind him could not react in time to prevent himself knocking the ball into his own net.
On 35 minutes Norwich restored their 2 goal cushion. Rowe's shot from distance was saved by Sutton but only parried into the path of the on rushing Kamara who converted his 2nd of the night from close range.
Wroxham still showed life in the first half. On 38 minutes great build up play saw a drilled cross met with a dinked header from Miles that dropped for Lappin to drive at the target, but his effort was over. Then on 42 minutes more good play saw Cooper gather the ball in the box and get his shot away but this was well saved by Blair in the Norwich goal.
A socially distanced break, featuring a disenfectant spray for the goals and team talks on the pitch came with the visitors leading 3-1.
The Yachtsmen start to make some changes in true pre-season style, with Fatadjo, Curtis and Poynter all thrown into the fray, The home team got us underway and straight away Fatadjo showed everyone how lively he was! Fast feet and running at defenders should mean some entertainment from the diminutive Portuguese this season! Wroxham were really pushing with the lights on now, and on 58 minutes they pulled a goal back. A ball in from Lappin found Cooper at the back post. He fought for the ball, and as the ball came down for the third time Cooper produced a sublime overhead kick to beat Blair from 8 yards.
Within a minute Wroxham were level, again thanks to the skills of Cooper. A mistake from the City defence and Cooper won the ball back. A quick glance and he saw Blair off his line and he chips the ball into the empty net from 30 yards.
Wroxham were level, but it wouldn't last. Down the other end and Kamara was played in again. Sutton rushed out to meet him and as he dived at his feet he brought him down to give away another penalty. Rowe did the honours for the visitors and it was 4-3.
Wroxham made several subs to follow, and the next 20 minutes had a very pre-season feel. The last 10 minutes however did not! With Fatadjo causing havoc, he drove into the Norwich area, he couldn't find a pass as he was challenged, but the ball bobbled to Taylor to power the ball into the bottom right corner from 12 yards. It was 4-4 and no more than Wroxham deserved for their efforts.
The game petered out, but the players had all produced a fine entertaining display, with much to look forward to in the new season based on what was on show.