Second half goals from Barkingside’s Michael Ademiliu and Wroxham’s Nathan Stone wasn’t enough to separate the teams laying low in the league table as both sides were looking for a much needed boost, writes Tom Wardle. Neither have won a league match since October and a victory would have given impetus in their aim to pull away from the lower echelons of the league table.

Matthew Halliday, Lewis Sturman and Seamus Kelleher returned to the Yachtsmen starting XI as Michael Sommerfield and Ashley Jarvis were named on the bench whilst Jackson Ramm was not in the matchday squad. Also on the bench was Daniel Beaumont who has been out injured since before the New Year.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine on a very tacky pitch. After a poor and scrappy start from both teams, Wroxham finally got the first shot on target just short of the 10 minute mark. Jack Garrod showed some pace down the right hand side before curling a teasing cross into the area. The defender missed the bouncing ball and it fell for Seamus Kelleher but the winger couldn’t control his shot which went straight into the keepers’ arms. A minute later the game seemed to have woken up a bit, as Barkingside squandered their first shot on goal, but it was put well over the crossbar by Jonathan Nzengo from the edge of the penalty area.

On 20 minutes Jack Garrod sent in another fantastic cross, this time from the left hand side following a corner. The ball was cleared but only as far as Yachtsmen defender Matt Halliday who controlled the ball and smashed it toward goal. The statuesque defender was unlucky to see it curl just wide of the top left hand corner. Just a minute later, Wroxham kept on the pressure. David Hinton saw his free kick headed backwards by the Dapo Abitogun in the visitor’s defence which smashed against the post before getting cleared away from danger. Barkingside counter-attacked, outnumbering the Wroxham defence; however Nzengo’s cross flew over everyone in the box and went out for a goal kick.

With 15 minutes left of the first half, the Yachtsmen were the closest from making the breakthrough. Nathan Stone collected the ball mid-way through the visitors half before gliding past 3 defenders including a neat flick over one’s head on the edge of the box, before his shot was blocked on the 6 yard box and put out for a corner.

Barkingside then had a very good chance to take the lead. A corner was met by the head of Marvin Birch who was unmarked in the box, however the header rolled out for a goal kick off the left-hand post.

Barkingside attacked the Wroxham half straight from kick off for the second half. Matt Gulfer picked up the ball in the attacking half 30 seconds in before smashing the volley over the Wroxham goal from a long way out. Wroxham picked up their first yellow card of the game as David Hinton was booked 10 minutes after the re-start. The referee deciding he’d had enough of the midfielder’s chivvying.
Wroxham made their first substitution with 25 minutes left to player; Seamus Kelleher was replaced by forward Ashley Jarvis. Unfortunately the change immediately boosted Barkingside as they took the lead 1 minute later. A quick break saw the ball played to Michael Ademiliu in plenty of space. The winger was able to exploit the chasing defence as Elliot Pride came changing from his goal and stroke the ball in from close range to give the visitors the lead as snow fell at Trafford Park.

Straight from kick off Jack Garrod’s weaving run down the left hand side was crossed into the area before being headed agonisingly close to the goal by Jamie Forshaw, who did superbly to get on the end of the cross.

The Yachtsmen made their second substitution with 15 minutes remaining for the home side to find a way back into the game. Jamie Forshaw was replaced by midfielder Michael Sommerfield as Stewart Larter looked to get more aerial dominance. Very much like the first goal, within a minute after the substitution there was a goal. This time it was for the home side. Nathan Stone latched onto a through-ball and as the powerful forward took the ball around Behcet he placed it into the net to make it 1-1.

The Yachtsmen made their final substitution of the game with just 3 minutes remaining. Jack Guyton coming on for Jack Garrod. Michael Sommerfield was harshly penalised and given the second yellow card of the afternoon for the Yachtsmen. Frustratingly for the home side, Barkingside saw out the remainder of the game, trying to keep the ball in the corners.

Overall, Wroxham had a number of good chances but again failed to convert the majority and worryingly still seek an elusive win. The snow, hail and rain falling on an already tacky pitch didn’t help either side searching for a much needed win.

Wroxham now have to prepare for the Norfolk Senior Cup Quarter Final tie against Kings Lynn Town Reserves on Tuesday night at Trafford Park. The victors of which will meet Dereham Town at the end of February for a place in the Carrow Road Final.