It was a comeback of epic proportions from the Yachtsmen as they negotiated an early storm to finish with a well-earned point, in a see saw tussle at Trafford Park, writes Darren Wiseman.
Wroxham started the match with a team with a familiar feel. Ollie Sutton was back in goal with Oli Yun and Travis Dodsworth as full backs. Centre Halves Chris Skipper and Josh Hazell ably shielded by Jordan King in Midfield. The centre of the park also featured Harley Black with Brad Spooner at 10. Ryan Miles and Robbie Linford on the wings were looking to supply Centre forward Matt Hayden.
Mr Mingay got us underway with Rovers kicking off shooting towards the Kenny Cooke Stand. Great Wakering were instantly on the front foot. White had an early chance but hit his shot straight at Sutton. The goalkeepers distribution was poor, and he brought more pressure onto the home defence. The issue only led to a corner, but Wroxham were sloppy over most of the park early on.
On 8 minutes, the visitors turned the Yachtsmen’s shaky start into a problem. The ball was driven across the Wroxham penalty area from out on the right, all the way across to find full back Matthew Rose. His effort was superbly pushed onto a post by Sutton. The ball was not cleared however and found its way to the burly Eusebio Da Silva, who took a touch, turned and opened his body to slot past the on rushing Sutton.
The next 10 minutes saw few chances as Wroxham worked hard to try and get a foothold in the game. Skipper was booked for a shirt pull on Eusebio who was giving the home defence many problems to think about. On around 25 minutes, Great Wakering had a corner that went that missed everyone and hit the bar, the rebound was headed goal wards but Sutton gratefully gathered. With Wroxham hanging on they finally managed to get the ball down and play. Miles working space on the left to cross for Hayden to head just over.
On 30 minutes, Miles, who was starting to get some joy in the left hand channel, cut inside his man but his shot from a narrow angle was just wide. Within moments, the Yachtsmen pressed again, this time a cross from Dodsworth, played deliberately to the edge of the box was met by Black, but his effort went comfortably wide for visiting keeper Fairs.
The visitors seemed to take this flurry of chances to get tight, and make the game tight and competitive. The rest of the half only really had one more half chance. Eusebio crossed for Billy Johnson to head over. The teams came in ready for a well earned break with the score 0-1 Great Wakering Rovers
The second half began with Wroxham attacking with all guns blazing. Dodsworth swung a beautiful ball in from deep which Hayden muscled his way to win, but his header came across the area with Miles stretching in vain to make a connection. Miles was key early in the second period, his mazy run moments later bamboozled 3 defenders, then his pass found the rushing Yun whose toe poked effort was saved by Fairs.
On 49 minutes a cross into the Rovers box was cleared to Black, his effort was well saved by Fairs but parried to Hayden, but the keeper was able to get up and block the number 9s goal bound effort.
The visitors weathered the early second half pressure and on 55 minutes came the almost inevitable sucker punch. After a spell of possession a cross from the left managed to go all the way across the Wroxham goal to be met by winger Kewin Kweik coming in at the back post for a simple tap in.
This seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Yachtsmen, and on 59 mins they conceded for a 3rd time. Dodsworth was out muscled by Eusebio (well, flattened actually) who calmly came into the penalty area and picked a pass to Hernandez who calmly slotted home.
Jordan Southgate reacted instantly, relacing Black and Skipper with Callum Olpin and Ryan Hawkins. Ryan Miles was still lively. On 65 mins his break played in Hayden whose cross was half cleared, dropping to Spooner whose effort was saved.
On 70 mins the fightback began. A ball through sent Miles clear who poked home, but the assistant Referee had their flag raised. After discussions with the referee the goal stood. The ball through deflected off a defender so Miles could not be offside. This good fortune seemed to galvanise the Yachtsmen into renewed belief and effort.
As the home team pushed, the visitors almost secured the points. Substitute Babalola crossed for Hernandez to poke towards goal, but the flying Sutton managed to pull off a miraculous point blank save. 4 minutes later the value of this save shone through as Wroxham reduced the arrears again. The Yachtsmen battled to win the ball in midfield, and as it emerged from the melee to drop for Hawkins, he turned and belted the ball into the net from 25 yards. GAME ON!!!
On 80 minutes Hawkins looked to have equalised. A cross from the Wroxham right found him unmarked, but his point blank header was saved by Fairs. On 82 minutes however the comeback was complete. Panic stations in the visitors defence when a corner was flicked on meant they were unable to deal with the onrushing Hayden whose desire meant he won his close range header to power Wroxham level. Cue limbs and scenes all around Trafford Park!
It felt like now that there would only be one winner. The home team were all over Rovers now, pushing for what had looked an unlikely win. Penalty appeals went unanswered when Hayden was bundled over chasing a rebound following a shot from sub Conley Poynter.
Wroxham had to final presentable chances to win it. Hayden who was excellent in the second half, was played in but his effort was saved. The ball came out to Dodsworth, he crossed to Olpin who passed inside to Hawkins. He went for another long range effort but just wide. Finally, Miles was played. He did most of the hard work, control, cut inside the defender, but as he went ot finish his effort was unfortunately high, wide and not very handsome.
A very entertaining afternoon, somehow finishing Wroxham 3 Great Wakering Rovers 3

Man of the Match – Travis Dodsworth.