Thrills, spills, cards and bad tempers but no somehow no goals on a damp night at Trafford Park writes Darren Wiseman.
Wroxham welcomed Bury Town to Trafford Park for their first home league game of the season. The Yachtsmen deservedly made it to the Isthmian league last season, but with that progression comes nerves for the Locals. Whispers of a physical visiting team meant for an exciting build up to the match.
The home team lined up with Tom Coombe in goal. Harry Barker and Travis Dodsworth at full backs flanked Josh Hazell and Robbie Linford. In midfield Jordan King and Shaun Taylor with Ryan Curtis and Oli Yun out wide. Bradley Spooner played at 10 with Matt Hayden up front.
Mr Sandwell got us underway with Wroxham defending the Kenny Cooke stand. The game started at a frantic pace, and after 4 minutes Bury had the first chance of the game. Cemal Ramadan took a shot from the edge of the area and a full length Coombe had to tip the ball round the far post.
From the defended corner came the first incident of the match. Matt Hayden broke clear and the Bury keeper Ridd came flying out of his goal to meet him. At such pace the collision was always going to be a foul, but it was surprising with Hayden going round the keeper that the foul only drew a yellow card. The following free kick ironically drew a smart save from the relieved Ridd at his near post.
Wroxham were enjoying the best of the early changes, typified by a fine run by Ryan Curtis, dancing into the box and lifting an effort over Ridd but unfortunately just past the post too. After 20 mins, it looked like the deadlock had been broken. Great build up down the right created a chance for Hayden, his effort was smartly saved, and the rebound was swept home by Curtis. Unfortunately, the flag was straight up for offside.
Bury full back Carlos Edwards went close before the quarter hour mark. A speculative shot from distance looped over Coombe, dipped, hit the bar and bounced clear. It was all happening within the first 15 minutes!
On 18 minutes Bury hit the woodwork again. A long throw and a looping backward header evaded all, smacked the top of the bar and bounced clear. The pace of the game was breathless!
Bury started to take control now, their crisp passing and fast pace very impressive to watch. A good build up down the right saw a cross whipped in and a flashing header just wide from Charley Barker. Sadly, at this point, the returning Cruise Nyadzayo picked up a knock and was unable to continue, replaced by Angus Mills.
On 25 minutes, Wroxham burst back into the game. A good ball into Hayden on the edge of the box saw the burly forward, control and turn to hit a decent effort towards goal. It was a comfortable stop for Ridd, but the game was starting to calm down after its initial frenzy.
Bury Town spent the rest of the half dominating possession and territory, but with little to show for it. The closest they came from Joe White. The big defender headed over a cross when free around the penalty area. The game to half time with the players fully deserving a break and a drink.
Wroxham 0 Bury Town 0
The second half got underway and it was clear from the off that the visitors had an extra edge to them. Hard in the tackle and in the face of the officials the Blues (playing in orange) meant business. Wroxham absorbed the pressure, with Robbie Linford picking up a yellow card as part of the rear guard. As the burst out of defence the nearly unlocked the visitor’s defence. Ryan Curtis won a corner, and when it came in Josh Hazell had an effort that somehow was deflected wide.
On 52 minutes, buoyed by his earlier effort, Hazell went off on a marauding run. A 1-2 with Hayden saw the defender through one on one. Ridd came out to save smartly. The save fell for Spooner, but he was challenged and the chance was gone.
On 55 minutes the game nearly spilled out of control. Curtis and O’Malley came together for a 50/50 challenge, but the collision was such that the benches cleared and all the players jostled together. After some time to gather his thoughts, and consult his assistant, Mr Sandwell dismissed both players and bizarrely restarted the game with a drop ball.
Wroxham seemed to be the first to settle after all the drama, and it was Spooner who was sent through for another one on one with Ridd. The keeper again dealt with the chance exceptionally.
The game was top quality, but the clear chances started to dry up a little. Sub Ryan Hawkins, on for Oli Yun tried his luck from 50 yards with the keeper well off his line. Great idea, but the execution was not quite there, with the ball skewing well wide.
On 80 minutes Bury so nearly took the lead. A cross in was met at the near post, the shot hit the post and rolled along the line. Coombe somehow dived to claw the ball out of the goal, with the visitors convinced they had scored. Watching, you had to wonder how they hadn’t. On 84 minutes the visitors hit the post for a third time. Wroxham defenders deflecting the ball onto the woodwork after a cross in to penalty area.
The game stayed fast and open to the end, but this feisty affair could not find a winner. But this was certainly not a bore draw!

Man of the Match Robbie Linford