A first half brace from Jason Hallett put the game out of reach for the Yachtsmen, as Cheshunt eased to a 3-0 win at Trafford Park.

With the reserves not playing there was an opportunity for a couple of players to step up to the first team; Ollie Ebbage came in at the back in place of Lewis Sturman who was named on the bench. David Hinton returned as did Michael Sommerfield and Marcus Wilkinson started having come on at Aveley on Monday. Nick Bailey, Jordan King, Jack Guyton, Lewis Sturman and Jamie Forshaw all started on the bench for Wroxham.

Cheshunt were boosted by the news that top goalscorer Jason Hallett had passed a pre-match fitness test and took his place in the starting XI and this was to have quite a significant effect on the game.

A minute’s silence in memory of former Wroxham Committee Member Ronnie Hudson was observed prior to kick-off. Cheshunt got straight into the game in the rainy conditions as they attacked straight from kick-off. Luke Marshall's run down the left hand side saw his cross over hit and eventually run out for a goal kick to the home side. Three minutes later Tom Bruno received the ball on the half way line, the midfielder proceeded beating a Wroxham defender before his shot from the edge of the box was blasted wildly over the bar.

Cheshunt ‘keeper James May was called into action with 15 minutes on the clock. A spirited run from Jack Garrod on the right hand side saw the Wroxham midfielder whip in a teasing ball into the area, but May stopped the ball from meeting the head of Sommerfield, who was lurking on the edge of the six-yard box.

Five minutes later, Jack Garrod was involved again as the Yachtsmen looked to counter-attack. The midfielder eased past two Cheshunt defenders on the right hand side, however his fantastic cross into the box skimmed the surface of the grass before running out for a throw-in on the far side of the pitch as no Wroxham attackers were able to get to the ball.

Wroxham’s nemesis Jason Hallett then went close twice within the space of 5 minutes, but both his shots rifled over the bar. A few minutes later, Kai Heather's cross from the left hand side found the head of Jason Hallett whose saw his header go wide of the left hand post.

With just over the half-hour played, Cheshunt went in front and it was that man Hallett that was on the scoresheet. A ball forward found Jason Hallett through on goal but the striker’s shot on goal was well-saved by Elliot Pride. The keeper was unlucky that the ball rebounded off the Cheshunt forward and bounced into the back of the net.

A minute later Cheshunt doubled the score. Elliot Pride made an outstanding save down to his left, however the loose ball reached the one player the defence didn’t want. Jason Hallett reacted quickest on the edge of the area and placed the ball into the bottom left corner to give the Yachtsmen a major mountain to climb as the rain continued to fall heavily.

As half-time approached, there was a controversial moment which continued as the players and referee left the pitch. A Cheshunt player went down in the Wroxham area whilst under pressure and referee James Turner waived away the protestations from the visitors’ bench. Not long after the half-time whistle was blown and Cheshunt players and Management harangued the referee and assistants as they left the pitch. These continued as they disappeared into the tunnel and it emerged that Manager Paul Wickenden had been dismissed for his actions.

Wroxham made their first substitution as the players re-entered the pitch after the half time interval. Marcus Wilkinson was replaced by Nick Bailey which allowed Joel Potter to push up in a more attacking position on the left hand side. Cheshunt tried to push the Yachtsmen back straight from kick off, going close within 5 minutes of the re-start. Jason Hallett who was seeking his hat-trick saw his shot from the edge of the area pulled a few yards wide of the left post. Joel Potter was then replaced by Jordan King as Damian Hilton tried to bring a bit more steel into the Wroxham midfield. Jason Hallett went close once again ten minutes later as his free kick from 25 yards out was struck well, but once again went wide, not forcing Pride into action.

A few minutes later, Elliot Pride was given a few palpitations. A pass back saw the ball change direction as it bounced on the slippery pitch before Pride just got back to superbly clear off the line to keep Wroxham within touching distance of the opponents. Gavin Lemmon then made way for Jack Guyton to try and add more attacking threat for the Yachtsmen. However, just after the substitution Cheshunt added a third to their tally. Jason Hallett received the ball to the left of the area where he played the ball across to Liam Hope. His first effort on goal was blocked but the Cheshunt number 10 smashed his second attempt past Pride and into the back of the net to give the 6th place side a convincing 3-0 lead.

All too late, Wroxham started to press Cheshunt, as they created a few chances. Jordan King took a touch on the edge of the area before the ball bobbled as he hit his shot. The midfielder saw his effort go well wide of the right hand post. A lovely flowing move two minutes later saw the ball laid back to Jackson Ramm on the edge of the box. The defender saw his powerful shot narrowly miss the left hand post and go agonisingly wide. Jordan King and Jack Garrod went close in the final ten minutes of the game, however Cheshunt’s defence were well-drilled, which saw Michael Sommerfield and Jack Garrod get caught offside numerous times, as they tried to get a goal back for the home side.

Overall the score line was a harsh on the Yachtsmen, however Wroxham will be relieved to see the back of Cheshunt striker Jason Hallett after scoring 5 past Wroxham over the course of the season. The Yachtsmen remain 1 point outside the relegation zone with only two games left to play. Their next game is Saturday 16th April at Trafford Park where play-off bound Cray Wanderers are the visitors.

Wroxham: Elliot Pride, Jackson Ramm, Joel Potter (Jordan King, 55), Steve Taylor, Aarron Taylor, Ollie Ebbage, Jack Garrod, Gavin Lemmon (Jack Guyton, 61), Michael Sommerfield, David Hinton, Marcus Wilkinson (Nick Bailey, 46). Subs: Nick Bailey, Jordan King, Jack Guyton, Lewis Sturman, Jamie Forshaw.

Cheshunt: James May, George Pullen, Joe Clemo, Joe Kizzi, Dave Kendall, Kai Heather, Louis Bristow, Tom Bruno, Jason Hallett (John Frendo, 69), Liam Hope (Adam Bolle, 75), Luke Marshall (Josh Cooper, 53). Subs: Mike Finneran, John Frendo, Adam Bolle, Jayden Purdue, Josh Cooper.

Referee: James Turner. Assistants: Ben Weldon and Junior Jones-Eyre.