There are still likely to be several twists and turns as we get towards the business end of the season but Wroxham gave themselves an enormous boost against one of the League’s in form teams. They are now off the bottom with two games in hand over Great Wakering who fell to the basement and Brentwood who are immediately above.
Wroxham started off brightly but fell behind on 8 minutes when Mead’s talisman striker Paul Vines scored. Tom Rampling slipped as the ball fell to Ellis Brown who took full advantage and neatly went past two other Wroxham defenders before crossing to Vines who duly finished off to give the visitors the lead.
The home side didn’t waste time in getting back on level terms. A through ball reached Ross Gilfedder who crossed into the middle for Armani Schaar to finish in similar style on 12 mins.
The game then settled into some end to end action as Pride got down well to turn around a shot from Vines and Ben Lewis headed over for Wroxham.
A spectacular bicycle kick from Schaar wasn’t far off target although the officials had already awarded a free kick.
A free kick awarded to Thamesmead also spelt danger but Joe Vines’s header was also just over.
A good Wroxham move down the right saw the ball fall for Gilfedder whose shot was straight at the ‘keeper.
Towards the end of the half Thamesmead forced Wroxham on the back foot with a good shot from left back Jay Porter well saved by Elliott Pride who repeated this to deny Aaron Rhule who was booked for his response.
Then Rampling fouled the tricky Ellis Brown which brought another free kick which was well turned aside by the Wroxham custodian.
Just before half-time there was to be a defining turning point as Mead were reduced to 10 men with Rhule receiving his march orders clearly to the disappointment of his colleagues. In frustration, he brushed into a Wroxham player leaving referee Darin Geary with little choice but to issue another yellow card followed by red.
This was just the boost Wroxham needed as they took an early second half lead against the 10 men. Craig Bussens had a bit of luck with a dummy in his own half which enable him to charge forward unchallenged and get in a cross for Gilfedder to side-foot home.
This lifted the Yachtsmen and Schaar increased the lead 10 minutes later. The Wroxham striker got his second goal when his shot was half stopped with a block tackle by the Mead ‘keeper but still had enough momentum to cross the line.
Wroxham were then able to make substitutions as new boy Ollie Humphreys replaced Rampling and Jack Guyton came on for Gilfedder.
Thamesmead were still dangerous as Ellis Green burst through but his shot was again well held by Pride.
Ben Fowkes returned to action after a long injury lay off replacing Jack Newman. He soon got into the action with a couple of surging runs.
Mead were getting frustrated as more bookings followed but they weren’t out of it as Porter crossed for Alex Teniola who missed an open goal attempt.
With the clock ticking down they pulled one back when the ball was punted into the box and a flicked header fell for Ellis Green to finish in the 87th minute.
This meant a few nail-biting moments for Wroxham to hang on although they had a good chance for a 4th goal when Fowkes played a lovely pass to Schaar whose pace enabled him to get a stinging shot which was parried by Welham.
But Wroxham did hold on for their first win of 2017 which was well earned.