
In a game with as many twists and turns as a coach journey to London, Wroxham returned to Norfolk with a share of the points against fellow Isthmian League newcomers, New Salamis.
It was a game where many observers would have said that Wroxham deserved more from had it not been for the trickery and guile of former Ghanaian international Derek Asamoah. As it was, the Yachtsmen fought back from behind twice to earn the draw.
New Salamis took the lead in the 13th minute when what appeared to have been a good tackle on Richard Ennin in the area was deemed a foul by the referee. Derek Asamoah took the kick which Tom Coombe got his hand to but was unable to keep it out of the net.
On the 3g surface, Wroxham were trying to play football but the ball was not always running smoothly and the bounce appeared erratic. However, the Yachtsmen got their reward and equalized in the 18th minute. After some good interplay across the edge of the Salamis penalty area, Brad Spooner flicked the ball through to Harry Barker and the defender finished with some power.
Almost immediately, the home side almost retook the lead. Asamoah was unfortunately to see his shot hit the upright and away from danger. The game was end to end and after 23 minutes, Wroxham edged in front. Ryan Curtis worked the ball out to Brad Spooner on the right and his cross into the area was side-footed into the net to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
Within 3 minutes, the score was level again when the ball was slid through to George Lutaaya who finished low past Coombe.
The second half was interrupted by a number of niggly fouls and decisions made by the referee which on a normal surface would not have happened.
After 63 minutes, there was a controversial incident when Ryan Curtis was clearly fouled just outside the home penalty area. The Assistant referee didn't assist the referee and the ball was worked up the the right hand side, crossed into the area and Asamoah was there to volley his second goal of the game. Wroxham were incensed by the incident as it was the second such foul on Curtis, the first arguably should have been a penalty to the Yachtsmen.
With 20 minutes to play, the referee awarded a penalty to Wroxham. Brad Spooner was advancing on goal and nudged off the ball by a defender. It looked soft compared to the previous fouls but Wroxham weren't complaining. Ryan Miles stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.
As the game wore on, it looked likely that there would be more goals. A number of Wroxham corners came to nothing and chances that fell to Salamis were blocked by Wroxham bodies.
As the injury time began, there was a bizarre incident that resulted in substitute Charlie Georgiou receiving a red card. Having entered the game in the 84th minute, he decided to try to punch Jordan King after the ball had been marshalled out for a Wroxham goal-kick.