Goals from Jack Garrod and Matt Frew meant Romford left Trafford Park with a well earned point, as Wroxham weren’t clinical enough in front of goal.

The Wroxham team again had alterations to that that managed to get a point at 7th place Cheshunt last time out. Elliot Pride made his return in goal replacing Nathan Pauling. Stephen Taylor, Ollie Ebbage, Matt Halliday and Lewis Sturman all remained in an unchanged back four. David Hinton was replaced by Jack Guyton and partnered Michael Sommerfield in the centre of midfield. Jamie Forshaw returned to replace Danny Beaumont, whilst Jack Garrod stayed out on the right. Ashley Jarvis and Nathan Stone were once again partnered upfront. Matty Waters, Ben Anderson, Danny Beaumont, Daniel Foreman and Jordan Attree were all named on the bench for the Yachtsmen, who were looking for a win against a team who lay 1 place above them in the table.

In the first few minutes of the game Danny Crossington of Romford had to be stretched off due to an injury after a strong tackle. Joe Scott then replaced Crossington and play continued. The Yachtsmen started the better of the two teams, Ashley Jarvis winning two corners in quick succession but nothing coming from them. Jack Garrod had the first shot for the home side, as the ball fell for him on the edge of the box; the winger sliced it and went over. Romford then had their first chance to get a goal; a goal mouth scramble was finally cleared by Ollie Ebbage. Jack Garrod then went agonisingly close for the Yachtsmen, as Wroxham caused havoc in the box, the ball landed kindly for Garrod whose shot was deflected wide of the left post.

As the half went on, Wroxham carried on racking up the chances. After 35 minutes Wroxham saw two very good shots well saved by Michael Gooch in goal for the visitors. Ashley Jarvis’s shot from inside the area was parried out to the left, and then Jack Garrod saw his shot brilliantly saved down to the left of the keeper. Romford then broke forward; the ball ended up at Nick Reynolds feet, but was deflected over the bar. On 40 minutes the game saw its first real bit of quality, as Jack Garrod received the ball on the half way line, he then drove forward with pace weaving past the Romford back line, he then saw his deflected shot loop over Michael Gooch and go into the back of the net to give Wroxham the lead before half time.

At the start of the second half Elliot Pride was called into action, Robbie Farrell sent a shot flying towards the Yachtsmen goal, but was fantastically saved by Pride and put out for a corner. Wroxham then had a few chances to double their slender lead. Ashley Jarvis and Nathan Stone all went close before Michael Sommerfield’s header was cleared off the line. With 20 minutes left, a corner for Romford was whipped in to the back post where Captain Matt Frew headed in from close range to draw back level despite a defender clearing the ball. the referee's assistant was indicating it was over the goal-line.

Wroxham made their first change of the afternoon, as Ashley Jarvis was replaced by Matty Waters. Jamie Forshaw saw his curling shot from the edge of the box well saved by the Romford keeper, which started the Yachtsman team to create a lot of chances. In the final few minutes of the game, Nathan Stone ran down the left hand side, he then pulled the ball back, but was inches away from getting on the toe of on running Jamie Forshaw. Wroxham then brought on youngster Ben Anderson for goal scorer Jack Garrod. However just before the final whistle, the ball was handled by a Romford defender as Wroxham players appealed for it in the penalty area but the referee only awarded a free kick. Nathan Stone stepped up and his free kick riffled over the top of the cross bar, in what was to be the final chance of the game.

Overall, the strong winds took its toll on the game, as it was very scrappy. But the Yachtsmen needed to be more clinical in front of goal creating far more chances than the visitors. However, Wroxham have started to pick up points in recent weeks as they keep getting players back. But now with the return of Elliot Pride standing tall behind the defence, he should give them confidence to go on and win forthcoming fixtures.

Wroxham now face Great Yarmouth in the 4th round of the Norfolk Senior Cup on Tuesday night at Trafford Park (7.45pm kick off). Hopefully the strong wind will have dried out the pitch after the run of postponements.