Match Preview

T'was the Night before Christmas and all through the house, nothing was stirring, not even a mouse.

Like a young child at Christmas, supporters of Norfolk’s Ryman League clubs have been anticipating this day since the last whistle blew in April. This season will have added spice for Wroxham fans with the addition of two further local derbies as Manager Damien Hilton’s former side Norwich United has joined step 4. The first of those games takes place on Boxing Day so there will be plenty of action in the interim beginning with the visit of Cheshunt to Trafford Park this afternoon (3pm).

Having been given a reprieve from relegation out of the Ryman League at the end of last season, Damien Hilton is looking for a much improved season. The former Yachtsman has had his player boots on during the Summer pre-season but is not planning to make a playing comeback. He is, however, looking forward to the season more that he did the end of last season and is thankful that the club stayed up. He acknowledges his side underachieved last season but is determined to put things right. “I’m optimistic but there is also a hint of caution as we do have a young squad. For instance, new signings Ben Fowkes and Robbie Sweeney are 17 and 19 respectively. They’ve come in over the Summer, done well and deserve their chance. We do though have to be patient with the team at the start”.

Apart from Fowkes and Sweeney, Wroxham have brought in a number of players over the Summer break. Goals were difficult to come by last season and Hilton will be hoping that Jordan Rocastle is one that can fire his team up the league. In one pre-season game, Rocastle showed his proficiency in front of goal by netting six times. A note of caution though as this was against a Wroxham Legends XI in the Alan Royall / Pat Penn Testimonial but he at least knows where the goal is. Also coming into the Wroxham side have been defender Luke Appleton, striker Kyle Baker, utility players Ben Lewis and Payton Swatman who both return to the club. Also coming in is the pacey Cruise Nyadzayo and another defender in Adam Plumstead. Damien Hilton, however names his Assistant Manager and Coach David Coyle as his best signing of the Summer. The former Clacton Manager has come in to the club as he works for Norwich City Academy and moved to the area.

This weekend, there are a number of players unavailable which has restricted who Damien Hilton can call upon for this first game of the season. Absent will be Matt Halliday, Jackson Ramm, David Hinton and Jack Guyton. He is boosted however by the return of Jordan King who picked up an injury early pre-season and Stephen Taylor who became a father over the Summer and missed some games.

Today’s opponents finished last season one place outside of the play-offs in 6th position and took the honours at Trafford Park with a 3-0 facile victory. The Ambers should be able to call upon Wroxham’s nemesis Jason Hallett. The prolific forward scored five of Cheshunt’s six goals against the Yachtsmen last season. Wroxham will be hoping that there is less incident in today’s game against Cheshunt than in one of The Amber’s pre-season games. A match against Hemel Hempstead had to be abandoned early in the second half and the local constabulary were called following an altercation between players which resulted in serious facial injuries for a Cheshunt player.

Saturday’s game has the added attraction for young supporters as Wroxham have announced that under 16s will receive free entry to Trafford Park this weekend.

Adrian Gowling