On a cold and foggy Friday night, Damian Hilton had the unusual luxury of being able to name an unchanged side from the team that beat local rivals, Norwich United on Boxing Day. With the boost that came from that result, hope was there that the Yachtsmen would be able to gain something from their visit to Ram Meadow. Unfortunately, it was false hope as Bury continued their good form shown on Boxing Day when they ran out 4-1 winners at Soham.

A first half where despite the score line of 1-0 to Bury, was very much in favour of the hosts. Bury number 9 Ollie Hughes was causing Wroxham difficulties with his movement and was at the heart of several chances. In the sixth minute, a back pass to Callum Robinson was closed down by Hughes who stole the ball away. The striker was unable to get his shot away however and the danger passed. Wroxham’s first opportunity came a minute later when a lofted pass by Matt Cook to Ben Lewis allowed the Yachtsman captain sight of the goal. Unfortunately, his shot was blocked and the ball was gathered by O’Sullivan in the Bury goal.

Monday’s goalscorer Jack Newman was next to get an opportunity for Wroxham from a neat lay-off by Armani Schaar but the on-loan player could not get the ball on target.

Callum Robinson had another scare in the 12th minute with another back pass which he was eventually able to scramble to safety.
On 20 minutes, the first controversial call of the night was made by referee Matt Morrison. Ollie Hughes ran on to a long ball and as he nicked it past Robinson towards the goal, the striker then ran into the keeper. Immediately, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. With the crowd behind the goal baying for further punishment, Mr Morrison raised his yellow card towards Robinson. Tevan Allen stepped up to make it 1-0 to the hosts with a powerful shot low to the keeper’s right.

Adam Plumstead was the next player to get his name taken by the referee as a Bury player went down rather easily on the edge of the Wroxham penalty area. A decision that displeased the Wroxham management who felt the official had made an incorrect call. From the resulting free kick, Bradley Barber struck the upright which rebounded to safety.

Bury were not holding back as they looked to increase their lead. Luke Read on two occasions, Leon Ottley-Gooch and Ryan Jolland all had chances to score but were either pushed over by Robinson or went wide of the upright.

As the game entered additional time at the end of the first half, the referee’s assistant decided to get himself noticed. A header by Ross Gilfedder was in the back of the Bury net but Craig Bussens was in an off-side position. The Assistant looking into the fog raised his flag as the ball hit Bussens. The referee took his assistant’s view that Bussens had touched the ball whilst off-side and dis-allowed Wroxham’s equalizer. The number 11 and half of the Wroxham side protested that the ball was already over the line but to no avail. As the half-time whistle blew, the referee and his assistants decided to take refuge in the centre of the pitch until everyone was well down the tunnel before leaving the field himself.

Damian Hilton made his first change at half-time as Tom Rampling was withdrawn for a more attacking Cruise Nyadzayo. Immediately, Ollie Hughes was in the action running through the Yachtsmen defence but Robinson managed to block his shot away for a corner.

Wroxham were playing some neat football on a sticky pitch which was getting progressively worse. Having gained a free-kick, Jack Newman played the ball into the Bury area. As the ball bobbled around, Adam Plumstead decided to take the lead and slammed the ball into the back of the net to make the score 1-1.

Unfortunately, Wroxham’s joy didn’t last long as almost immediately Luke Read restore the lead for Bury. A cross from the left was not cut out and Read was able to sidefoot home and make it 2-1.

Bury increased their lead in the 59th minute. The same referee’s assistant who disallowed Gilfedder’s goal decided to again make himself centre of attention. A short corner down the Bury right was fired in by Bradley Barber. Robinson collected the ball on the goal-line but the assistant again decided he could see the ball had fully crossed the line making it 3-1 to the home side.

A second substitution by Damian Hilton saw Jack Guyton replace Craig Bussens but to no avail as Bury went 4-1 up soon afterwards. In a similar move to the previous goal, a short corner fired in by Barber but on this occasion, Luke Read glanced his header passed Robinson. Bury were in firm control at this point with the fifth goal looking like it would arrive. The only surprise was that it took until the 81st minute. Ollie Hughes was able to get on the end of a long ball over the Wroxham defence and he took it easily around Robinson and walk it in to the back of the net.

Wroxham had not given up and in the 88th minute were unlucky not to get a second goal. A Blake Saker cross research Jack Newman who had two stabs at goal. The first was saved by the keeper and the rebound was fired against the crossbar and eventually cleared.

As the game went into injury time, Matt Halliday was easily disposed by Ollie Hughes and the striker fired passed the advancing Robinson to make it a miserable Friday night out in Suffolk for the Yachtsmen.

Damian Hilton must now try to pick his player’s up as they travel to Brightlingsea on Bank Holiday Monday for their first fixture of the new year.