Wroxham went into Christmas with a draw after an early Michael Sommerfield goal was cancelled out before half time, reports Tom Wardle.

The Wroxham starting 11 saw two changes to the team that were heavily beaten in midweek by Heybridge Swifts at Trafford Park. Danny Beaumont returned to the side after injury and David Hinton was recalled in front of the defence for Matty Waters and Jack Guyton respectively.

On a pitch that resembled Yarmouth beach in patches, the Yachtsmen started the better side looking comfortable on the ball. In the first few minutes of the game, Danny Beaumont did well to win a free kick on the left hand side of the area. in a good position, Jamie Forshaw's free-kick eluded everyone and straight out for a goal kick. David Hinton then picked up the ball on the left hand side before an attempted cross blasted over the bar. Phoenix Sports broke quickly; the ball falling kindly for Harrison Carnegie before his shot was well saved by Elliot Pride in the Wroxham goal.

Wroxham’s pressure finally paid off in the 13th minute. Winger Seamus Kelleher picked up the ball on the half-way line, weaving past a Phoenix defender on the left before seeing his cross deflected nicely for Michael Sommerfield who was unmarked 6 yards out. Sommerfield then nodded the ball powerfully past Steve Phillips to give Wroxham a well earned lead.

David Hinton then had a free kick from around 40 yards out but on this occasion his cross was glanced wide by Michael Sommerfield. Jamie Forshaw then saw his free kick fantastically pushed away by Steve Phillips down to his left hand side.

The home side were forced into the first change of the afternoon after only 24 minutes. Danny Beaumont felt his injury again with Jack Guyton replacing him on the right hand side of midfield.

On 31 minutes Phoenix Sports found themselves level against the run of play. The ball falling for Alistair Gordon on the edge of the Wroxham area after a good move from Adrian Stone. Gordon placing his curling shot into the bottom right hand corner past the dive of Pride. Wroxham came close to restoring the lead on the stroke of half time, Jamie Forshaw's free kick met by the foot of Phoenix defender Steve Springett whose attempted clearance span off his foot and just over the crossbar.

The Yachtsmen started the second half as they did the first, Michael Sommerfield played a precise ball to the on-running Nathan Stone who the saw his curling cross caught by Phillips. Seamus Kelleher whipped a teasing ball in from the left hand side, his cross was cleared by a Phoenix defender but only as far as David Hinton. Hinton then floated the ball into the box to the incoming Jack Guyton whose header to the left of the goal was fantastically saved by Phillips. Both teams then fought out a scrappy midfield battle due to the state of the pitch as it became less conducive to a passing game.

Mid-way through the second half, Phoenix Sports went close to pinching the lead and hit the post. Adrian Stone cut in from the left hand side onto his right foot before directing the ball towards the goal however the ball smashed against the outside of the left post and rolled out for a goal kick. This gave the visitors confidence as Phoenix started to put pressure on the home side.

With 10 minutes left Wroxham looked to inject some fresh play as they made their final two changes of the game. Seamus Kelleher and Jamie Forshaw were replaced by Ashley Jarvis and Charlie Norman. In stoppage time at the end of the game the Yachtsmen had a final opportunity as they counterattacked with Michael Sommerfield leading the charge. His through ball ran through to the keeper on the surface to bring an end to the game.

Overall the Yachtsmen played well in spells but failed to create enough decent goal-scoring opportunities. A lot of it was down to the condition of the pitch which will now have a couple of weeks to recover. Wroxham go into the Christmas break 19th in the league and visit Soham Town Rangers on Boxing Day.