Wroxham earned a "Schaar" of the points in a closely contested encounter at Trafford Park writes Darren Wiseman.

Winter appeared to take a day off as the Yachtsmen faithful gathered at Trafford Park on a clear and relatively mild January day. Wroxham sported two new signings, Olly Humphrey's at full back and Stefan Mallardo in midfield.
The Wroxham line up was Elliott Pride in goal, Saker and Humpries as fullbacks with Adam Plumstead and Taylor Hastings in the centre. Mallardo held the centre of midfield with Jack Newman and Captain Ben Lewis. Ross Gilfedder and Craig Bussens on the flanks hoped to service Armani Schaar in the centre.

Witham Town brought a noisy following that added nicely to the atmosphere, and with Witham kicking off shooting to the Kenny Cooke stand, the game got under way.

After 2 minutes Wroxham crafted an opening. Ben Lewis worked the ball well out wide and crossed into the box but the ball just alluded Jack Newman in the area.

On 7 minutes, Witham Town won a corner. The delivery was good and Lewis Payne met the cross well, but put the ball wide.

The early stages took the shape of most of the game. Both sides worked hard and were very organised, but ultimately looked to be cancelling each other out with some scrappy play. The game needed a spark of brilliance or a mistake to really open up.

After 10 minutes the Yachtsmen looked like they had unlocked the door. A good ball through looked as though it had released Gilfedder, but Witham's Alex Anderson put on the after burners and tidied up nicely.

On 20 minutes Town opened the scoring with a goal out of nothing. Adam Plumstead looked to deal with a through ball, but Scott Kemp blocked his clearance with his stomach and the ball ran nicely for him. Finding himself in on goal he showed great composure to take a touch and then finish well into the bottom right corner of Pride's goal with more of a pass than a shot.

Plumstead looked understandably shaken, and Witham nearly caught him out again. Tim Monsheju forcing him into a mistake and forcing a chance for himself, but his shot was well over.

Town forced a spell where they appeared on top, but Wroxham battled hard to ensure they created little. At one point Humphreys conceded a corner after good work against John Watson preventing a cross coming in. The resulting set piece was swung over by Kemp and was cleared to Tyler Hayes but his effort was off target.

On 31 minutes the Yachtsmen were on level terms. Bussens worked himself clear down the left, his cross was stepped over by Gilfedder and came to Armani Schaar, who took a touch and rifled home from 15 yards in to the right of the goal off the post.

Wroxham used this goal to create some real momentum going into half time. Saker played a lovely ball into the back post after some lovely interchanges with Bussens and found Schaar. He directed the ball back into the centre of the goal but it just evaded Gilfedder.

Wroxham then earned a corner which was taken by Newman. The initial ball was cleared and fell to Mallardo but his crisp effort was deflected wide.

Despite their positive end to the half, the game remained tight and the Yachtsmen were satisfied to go in level at half time.

The mood among the fans at half time was positive and dare I say confident, but too many times close games have not gone Wroxham's way this season, so there was a little tension too.

The second half started tight again. On 49 mins Town felt they had a penalty shout, but not only was it turned down but Nathan Koranteng was booked for simulation. Moments later Witham forced another opening. A good cross was won by Max Bradford and fell to Watson who could only scuff a shot at Pride who gathered easily.

On 60 mins a corner for Witham fell to Lewis Payne but his effort was bravely and superbly blocked.

Few chances were coming though from either side. This competitive and committed period passed and so the subs began. Wroxham started with Newman being replaced by Ben Fowkes on 63 minutes.

Wroxham then forced a chance. Great play from Schaar set Humphreys away and he played in Gilfedder, but unfortunately he could not get a good connection and it was an easy save for Paine in goal.

Wroxham attacked again shortly after, with Schaar trying a drive from 30 yards, but his effort was wide.

On 73 minutes made a change. Witham removed Bradford for Luke Mallett hoping for the hammer blow, while the Yachtsmen withdrew Bussens for new face Sev Mokake.

Wroxham were well in the game to go for the win, and looked confident competing with their opponents. It was here that a big shout for a penalty came. Wroxham worked the ball well down the left and the ball came to Schaar who drove into the box where he had a coming together with a Town defender. Although it appeared he was bundled over, referee Ady Sannerude was not interested.

10 minutes later Schaar looked again to be bundled over, this time outside the box in the left hand channel, but again no interest from the officials. Schaar's colourful reaction earning him a booking for his troubles.

Witham then nearly stole the points. Sub Tom Robinson ran at the Wroxham defence but was brilliantly tacked by Mallardo. The ball was forced back into the box to Robinson and his next effort was blocked by Pride, but the ball again dropped to Robinson who saw his 2nd effort agonizingly hit the base of the post and rolled back to the grateful Pride.

The last ten minutes was a shaky period all round for the Yachtsmen as they gave the ball away too often and easily in midfield, putting themselves under unnecessary pressure. This was illustrated when Ben Lewis gave the ball away in midfield with seconds remaining. He was rescued by another outstanding Mallardo challenge who had a fine debut.

Wroxham saw the game out in the end to earn a good point. 4 points from the last 2 home games is a good return as they try and climb the league. They face a difficult away game next up at 6th placed Cheshunt.