Lowestoft drifted into Trafford Park and sailed away with three points, but not before weathering a mighty Yachtsmen storm writes Darren Wiseman.

It is rare to not car parking spaces in Wroxham. It is even rarer to not get a space at Trafford Park, but as the gentlemen in fluorescent coats directed me towards the church, you knew a big game was on. Lowestoft Town, top of the league with a 100% record are obviously a big drawer and the 363 in attendance reflected that.

So a big night for the Yachtsmen who started again with Sam Blair in goal. Harry Barker and Travis Dodsworth at full backs with Josh Hazell and Robbie Linford at Centre Half. Midfielders Jordan King and Harley Black were flanked by Ryan Miles and Brad Spooner with Ryan Hawkins at 10 and Matt Hayden up front. Referee Emily Heaslip left the glitz of a live WSL game on Sky to take on what proved to be a very different beast at step 4 of the pyramid.

The tone was set early on. The game had hustle and bustle, the Trawlermen had most of the ball, and the tackles had bit. Hayden slid in early on visiting captain Travis Cole and the players all lost it. A big gaggle of pushing and shoving cooled to see the Yachtsmen front man earn a yellow card.

On 10 minutes, Lowestoft turned their dominance into a chance. A good break saw the ball out to Adam Hipperson who took an early shot. His floated effort was well parried away by Blair. 2 minutes later, Blair was called into action again as he and Linford had to deal with the twisting and turning Henderson as he broke into the box.

On 15 minutes, the Yachtsmen finally managed a chance of their own. A clearance to Miles saw the tricky number 7 taking on Johnson. He beat his man, but his effort was tame and easily saved by Holt in the visitors goal. Finally the home team had a foot hold, and this started to yield some lovely passages of play. Miles, Hayden and then Black combined to present Spooner with an excellent chance but his effort flashed over when he probably should have scored.

On 30 minutes, Hayden ran after a long ball down the right hand side, he won it, beat his defender but his near post effort did not beat the alert Holt in goal.

On 33 minutes an incident happened that signalled what was to come. Lowestoft Town got the ball in the box with a teasing cross from the left, Reed tried to poke home but couldn’t and Blair saves. However, Reed seemed to follow through into the keeper who was left sprawling. Nothing came of this situation, but 10 minutes later things would boil over.

Wroxham now entered their best spell of the game. Firstly, a long ball to Hayden saw him link nicely with Black, Hayden eventually presenting Black with a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box that went wide. No more than 90 seconds later, Hayden again linked play nicely. This time Hawkins was the beneficiary who then played Miles into the penalty area but his effort was wide, when for all the world you thought he would hit the target. Cue hands on heads!

Just before half time came the Yachtsmen’s best chance of the game. A corner went all the way through to Hazell, whose snap shot was blocked on the line by Johnson and turned onto the post. “How did you manage that” asked the Wroxham number 5. I don’t think anyone knew!

The real talking point of the game came on the stroke of half time. A long ball came all the way through to Blair in the Wroxham goal, and then eventually Henderson challenged for the ball. After arriving late, a melee ensued with all the players and benches getting involved. Dave Hinton looked to grab a throat and received his marching orders as a result and Cole also received a yellow card. As things calmed down and the players went to the dressing room for half time, would this be the advantage the home side needed?

HT Wroxham 0 Lowestoft 0

The visitors got the second half underway defending the Kenny Cooke, full of a raucous Blue Wave! Wroxham responded with a bright start. Barker and Spooner combined to get the ball to Hayden on the edge of the box. His turn was excellent but his effort was wide of the post. Next, Hawkins was played in down the channel following lovely passing from King and Black, but his effort was over.

On 50 minutes Miles was again at his pacy best. A 50/50 challenge with Holt showed his evident commitment, but he definitely came off the worst for his efforts. After some treatment he tentatively continued.

On 53 minutes, the home sides missed chances came to haunt them. Haylock, wearing 17 as the 7 shirt was missing from the kit bag, found Hipperson after a mazy run across the edge of the area. The former Dereham man powered an effort home from the edge of the area in the right corner, and the away side were ahead. 1-0

Within 5 minutes it was 2-0. A free kick for Lowestoft saw a foul from Hazell which he saw Yellow for. After a quick sub Hipperson held his nerve to bag a brace and give the visitors a second. When you are top of the league don’t games just seem to go this way?

Wroxham kept going, with the ever-willing Miles looking the most effective outlet, but although he could beat his full back at will his chances were not getting past Holt. On 65 minutes Miles cross came to Hawkins, his effort was beautiful tipped round the post by Holt. It was one of those nights in front of goal for the Yachtsmen.

Just to prove the game still had a bite to it, another free for all occurred on 70 minutes. A high foot from Hayden on Cole saw everything go off again. Handbags at dawn, apart from a cheeky headbutt thrown in. But all calmed and only resulted in a yellow card for goal scorer Hipperson.

On 83 minutes the visitors put the game to bed. A long ball to Jake Reed in the channel on the right saw him drive into the penalty area and then finish aplomb just inside the far post. It was clinical, and showed the Yachtsmen what can be achieved if you take your chances.

Wroxham pushed for a consolation, but Lowestoft were blocking everything. The 10 men had put a shift in, and deservedly took the points back to Suffolk. However, the league leaders knew they had been given a stern test. The two teams go again Saturday in the cup

FT Wroxham 0 Lowestoft Town 3

MOTM Travis Dodsworth