Wroxham found the waters choppy in their opening league fixture away against Witham Town. The Yachtsmen may have thought that it was a kind start to their Pitching In Isthmian League programme against a side that had been in the relegation play-off last season. At the end of the match, that thought was gone as they fell to a 4-1 defeat in Essex.

On a scorching August afternoon with a pitch more favourable to the donkeys at Blackpool and Great Yarmouth, Wroxham were unable to play the passing game that they are known for. The game started in a cagey fashion with neither side able to get much control of the ball on the hard surface patched with heavily sanded areas. The first half chance fell to Robbie Linford but his shot finished well wide of the target.

Witham broke almost immediately and Ramiah Mills should have done better with his attempt but Ollie Sutton was equal to it.

In the 13th minute, referee Steven Goldup should have taken action against Luke Ige when he brought down Ryan Hawkins who had got past the defender. Instead, he decided to just have a word. This was compacted when Wroxham's Travis Dodsworth committed a similar foul a few minutes later and a yellow card would have been more appropriate.

Ryan Curtis had a double opportunity but his original shot and the rebound were both blocked on the edge of the area.

It was becoming obvious to the casual observer that the home sides game plan was to by-pass the midfield and play the ball to the forwards who would either try to create an opening or to win a foul within striking distance of the Wroxham goal. Any throws conceded in that area were also thrown into the packed area with the aim of getting a touch towards the net. A corner from the right was fired into the 6 yard area and despite a number of attempts to get it towards goal was cleared eventually by the Wroxham defence.

Just before the half-hour, the referee decided that he would utilise his yellow card for the season and took Linford's name for an innoculous challenge. The resulting free kick was saved low by Ollie Sutton.

Witham were looking dangerous with their tactic to get the ball forward as quickly as possible but Mills' shot was blocked by a combination of Dodsworth, Josh Hazell and Chris Skipper. The follow-up ending well wide of the goal.

In the 35th minute, Witham were gifted an opening to score the first goal. Adam Vyse fell over under a challenge on the edge of the area and the referee had no hesitation to point towards the penalty spot. Vyse, himself got off the ground to send Sutton the wrong way for the first goal of the game.
The goal gave Witham extra impetus and Mills just failed to get his head to a cross by Vyse.

As half-time approached, Wroxham were handed a hammer-blow. A goal kick by Rhys Madden appeared to be punched through by the hand of a Witham player and Mills was through on goal, where he gave Sutton no chance to save. Jordan King was given a yellow card for his protestations of the way that the balls reached Mills.

The half-time interval gave both sides an opportunity to escape from the heat and cool down in the dressing room. Unfortunately for Wroxham, Witham came out with purpose and found the net for the third occasion in the 47th minute. Continuing with their tactics, a long throw allowed Kieran Southgate to have two stabs at goal after his initial shot had been saved by Sutton and it looked like it was going to be a long second 45 minutes.

The third goal prompted Jordan Southgate to make a change and Brad Spooner was brought on for Jamie Forshaw.
Wroxham were still trying to play football and Ryan Curtis was fouled just outside the Witham area. Ryan Hawkins struck his free-kick but Madden pushed it out and away from lurking forwards. Wroxham made their second substitution with Conley Poynter replacing Shaun Taylor. Poynter almost immediately had an opportunity when a corner into the area was cleared and his shot was blocked by a Witham defender.

With 15 minutes to go, Wroxham's final substitution was Jordan King being replaced by Alex Brasero.

As the game entered additional time, Wroxham gained a goal that they deserved. A Poynter corner from the right was cleared as far as Curtis on the edge of the area, but his low shot was past Madden before he could react. The goal gave Wroxham more confidence and Curtis was close to getting his foot to a through-ball with just the keeper to beat.
Unfortunately, all hope was extinguished almost straightaway when substitute Arnold Mengi was allowed to run through the tired Wroxham defence and finished well past Sutton.

The result and performance was an eyeopener with regard to the difference between Step 5 and Step 4 football and one that the Wroxham management will take on board to learn from.