A six goal thriller between Wroxham and Brightlingsea Regent ended all square at Trafford Park as neither side were able to get the decisive goal writes Tom Wardle.

The Wroxham team saw two changes to the team which were narrowly beaten at Soham Town Rangers on Boxing Day. Jack Garrod and Daniel Foreman replaced Matt Halliday and Jack Guyton who were named on the bench.

It didn’t take Wroxham long to make inroads to the Brightlingsea half. I the opening minute of the game, Jamie Forshaw saw his teasing cross caught by Ollie Bowles in the Regent goal. The visitors then had the first shot of the game on 5 minutes. The ball fell kindly for Lamell Howell but the winger sliced his shot well over the bar and out for a goal kick. After a period of Wroxham pressure, the home side were able to make the breakthrough after 13 minutes, Jackson Ramm’s pass down the right hand side was gathered by Nathan Stone who glided easily passed the Regent full back. He pulled the ball back for Ashley Jarvis to tap in from close range and net his first goal in Wroxham blue.

The lead didn’t last long as under 10 minutes later Regent pulled back level. A through ball from the right found Rick Griggs in space on the edge of the area. The forward slid the ball past Elliot Pride to bring the scores level. This gave the Yachtsmen impetus as they then started to dominate the play. Jamie Forshaw had a shot from a tight angle on the right which was blocked on the goal line and put out for a corner. Following the corner Daniel Foremen picked up the ball on the right hand side and curled a teasing cross into the back post which was eventually deflected out for another corner.

Wroxham goalscorer Ashley Jarvis was forced off with a dead leg after 30 minutes with Jack Guyton being his replacement. A few minutes later Daniel Foreman received the ball around 30 yards out, the left back took a touch and sent the ball darting towards the Regent goal to force a smart save from the keeper. Just before half time Jamie Forshaw’s shot from the edge of the area was clawed away with a diving save down to the right of the Regent keeper. Wroxham went into half time much the better team, playing free-flowing football and were unfortunate not to be a goal or 2 upfront.

Wroxham started the second half in the same manner. A swift move from the home side resulted in David Hinton pulling his shot over from 12 yards. Then a minute later, Jamie Forshaw’s run down the left saw the forward pull his shot agonisingly wide of the left post. However, Wroxham were caught on the counter-attack after 52 minutes and the away side found themselves in front. Rick Griggs’s corner was met by the head of an unmarked Phil Kelly who headed into the top right corner to make the score 2-1.

Wroxham were trying to get back on level terms and had chances to find an equalizer. A fantastic through ball from Jack Garrod to Jamie Forshaw saw a replica of his chance at the start of the second half with the same outcome as the ball was pulled wide of the post. Stephen Taylor’s shot was deflected in the area and out for a corner. David Hinton also saw his shot blocked as Wroxham pushed for a second goal. With 30 minutes of the game still to go, the Yachtsmen’s pressure worked and they got themselves level. A goalmouth scramble saw shots from Jamie Forshaw and Jack Garrod blocked before finally first half substitute Jack Guyton was able to get the ball over the line to make it all square for the afternoon.

The home sides joy didn’t last long as 8 minutes later, Regent were back in front with a fantastic strike from Phil Kelly. The ball fell kindly for the forward on the edge of the Wroxham penalty area and he rifled the ball into the top right hand corner of the net to put the visitors back in front. Immediately, Wroxham went on the attack as Jamie Forshaw found himself in a fantastic position to score but he failed to keep his lobbed shot down and the ball drifted over the bar. The away side were looking for a two goal cushion and Russell Malton toe poked narrowly wide before Jake Gould saw his shot from distance blast over the bar.
With 12 minutes to go, Wroxham made their second substitution of the game as Lewis Sturman replaced Jack Guyton. Immediately after the substitution, Daniel Foremen’s corner was glanced in to the net by the head of Nathan Stone to make it 3-3. Jamie Forshaw then had a chance to win all 3 points but again his shot was pulled narrowly left of the goal.

Overall it was a fantastic attacking display from the home side against a team that sit 10 places above Wroxham in the table. A few more performances like this for Wroxham in weeks to come and they’ll be sure to gain the elusive victory they deserve. The Yachtsmen travel to Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday night.