Wroxham fought out a battling draw away at Soham for their third point of the season. Despite losing defender Matt Halliday to a controversial refereeing decision in the 17th minute, Ross Gilfedder’s goal in the 23rd minute saw the Yachtsmen extend their unbeaten run to three games.

Wroxham lined up with two of their recent signings, Matt Cook and Liam Clayton from Dereham in the starting XI whilst Monday’s signing James Baughurst had to settle for a place on the bench.

The Yachtsmen began confidently and a break down the right after a Soham corner by Kyle Baker played in Gilfedder but his shot could only find the side-netting. Both teams were trying to play passing football and particular impressive for the Greens was former Gambian international left back Pa Saikou Kujabi.

Soham were looking dangerous albeit without really threatening Elliot Pride’s goal. That was until the 17th minute when referee Dean Skipper made the most controversial decision of a night where his decision making was somewhat strange. A powerful shot from inside the Wroxham area beat Pride but Matt Halliday was back covering on the goal-line. The ball hit Halliday and rebounded a fully 25 yards. It appeared to be a fantastic clearance but the referee saw it as hand-ball and awarded a penalty. His assistant Phil Miles didn’t flinch so it did appear a strange decision. Naturally to compound Wroxham’s anger, he produced his red card and Halliday departed early. Ryan Sharman stepped up and placed his shot to Elliot Pride’s right beating the dive of the ‘keeper.

Despite being a man light, Wroxham were still looking to make opportunities and Cruise Nyadzayo went on an excellent run, twisting and turning the Soham defence. Unfortunately, the pacey wide man was unable to get past the final defender to get a shot away.
The endeavours of the ten men gained due reward in the 23rd minute. An excellent move down the left saw Kyle Baker put an excellent cross into the centre where Ross Gilfedder was left unmarked to open his account for the Yachtsmen and make the score 1-1.

Gilfedder again was the next to have another chance for Wroxham. A fine knockdown by Datocampol was collected by Gilfedder who’s shot from distance didn’t trouble Bogard in the Soham goal.

As half-time approached, Damian Hilton brought on substitute Ben Lewis for Clayton to try to win more of the play in the midfield as Soham were beginning to make the extra man pay. This enabled Kyle Baker to make another break down the wing and his cross into the area was just too high for Nyadzayo to get his head to the ball.

The second half began with Wroxham on the attack and a run by Nyadzayo saw him cross into the area where Baker was unable to get a shot on goal. The flow of the game was being interrupted by Mr Skipper who was frustrating both sides by his regular stopping of play.

Soham were looking to utilise their man advantage but apart from free kicks and long throws were not really threatening Elliot Pride’s goal. When they did get shots on target, Pride was in fine form to keep the ball out. A free kick from just outside the penalty area beat the defensive wall but Pride was equal to the shot. The ball span out toward an on-running attacker but Pride was equal to it again as he produced a fantastic block to keep the score level.

As the game was drawing to a close, the referee was playing eight minutes of additional time. The final chance of the game fell to Wroxham. Gilfedder was fouled just outside of the Soham area. It was obvious what was going to happen as apart from Gilfedder on the ball, there were no Yachtsmen in front of the ball. Gilfedder’s powerful shot looked destined for the net had it not been for the wall standing tall. The referee brought the game to a halt soon afterwards and Wroxham were delighted to come away with another point having played more than three quarters of the match a man less than Soham.