Report by Tom Wardle

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The Wroxham team saw a few minor alterations from the team that lost away to Thurrock last week. Nathan Pauling remained in goal for the Yachtsmen; Charlie Norman was replaced by Lewis Sturman at right back. Matt Halliday retuned at the back for Wroxham and partnered Captain Andy Howell. Mac Gee replaced Jordan King and went into the team at left back. Ollie Ebbage remained in the starting 11, but moved up in a centre midfield role, rather than his usual position of centre back. David Hinton played alongside Ebbage, with Jamie Forshaw and Seamus Kelleher out on the flanks. Ashley Jarvis and Nathan Stone remained upfront. Matty Waters and Jack Guyton stayed on the bench. Danny Beaumont, Jordan King and Michael Sommerfield were all named on the bench as well.

The game began with a number of tackles by the Essex side that were reckless and should have been punished by referee Paul Burnham however he kept his cards in his pocket. When the football actually began in the wet conditions, Great Wakering started much the better side earning their first shot on target within the first few minutes of the game, Jake Gordon's long distant strike was deflected round the post. After 14 minutes the ball was switched to Gordon in the box for the Rovers, the forward then pulled it back for Jay Nash to volley home from close range and to give the visitors the lead. With 25 minutes gone, the Yachtsmen finally started to get into the game and had their first chance of the match. Jamie Forshaws’ free kick wide right was met at the near post by Nathan Stone, who’s audacious back heel was blocked on the line and only inches away from drawing back level. Jamie Forshaw then had a shot from the edge of the area which was pulled just wide of the right post.

Rovers' Eljay Worrell saw his half way line free kick glanced wide by Jay Nash on the edge of the six yard box, then only 2 minutes later Jake Gordon’s cross wide right was put wide again by Jay Nash. With only 3 minutes left of the half, Jake Gordon picked up the ball on the edge of the area, before curling the ball into the bottom right hand corner leaving Nathan Pauling rooted to the spot. It very nearly got worse for the Yachtsmen before half time, the ball was crossed in to Jake Gordon who’s header smashed against the crossbar just before the referee blew his whistle.

After only 8 minutes into the second half, Jamie Forshaw won a free kick in a very promising position, just outside the box. Forshaw stepped up and smashed the ball into the top right hand corner of the net to get a goal back for the Yachtsmen after a very good start to the second half. The goal seemed to spur the home side on and racked up a series of chances. Ollie Ebbage saw his shot deflected wide of the left hand post, then a Nathan Stone looping cross very nearly found the top right hand corner. David Hinton then saw his cross headed narrowly wide by Ashley Jarvis. Nathan Stone then made a weaving run into the box but his shot once again was blocked on the line. Wroxham then made their first substitution of the game, as Jordan King came on and replaced Ollie Ebbage in the centre midfield spot.

Wroxham’s pressure finally paid off, Seamus Kellehers’ run wide left resulted in him smashing the ball with his left foot on the edge of the box, into the top right hand corner of the net to earn Wroxham a spectacular comeback with 15 minutes remaining. However, only 3 minutes later the hearts sunk for the Wroxham players and fans, a free kick was whipped in for the Rovers, John Easterford received the ball with his back to goal, and he then turned and placed the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-3. Then with 7 minutes left to play the away side got another goal, this time Jake Gordon got the ball behind the Wroxham defence, the assistant referee kept his flag down, and saw the forward get his second of the game as he went past Nathan Pauling and stroked the ball home to cancel out any more Wroxham comebacks. The game then got worse for Wroxham; a late tackle from Andy Howell was judged to be a straight red and left his team to play the final few minutes with 10 men.

Overall, Wroxham’s leaky defence need to tighten up after conceding 14 goals in 3 games. But was an exciting game and very nearly saw a fantastic comeback very similar to the one we saw at the start of the season away to Great Wakering, which was a 3-4 result as the Yachtsmen came back from 3-1 down on that day, but it wasn’t to be today.

Wroxham now move on to defending their Senior Cup title with the visit of Great Yarmouth Town to Trafford Park on Tuesday night.