For the new management duo of David Coyle & Kaine Challen following the departure of Damian Hilton, this was a rather scrappy game. Wroxham had won the earlier encounter at Trafford Park when Phoenix were top of the table, so it was a rare chance this season for a double.
The management tinkered with the starting line-up who put on a gutsy performance in midweek at Kings Lynn as Adam Plumstead was suspended enabling Stefan Mallardo to fill the gap and Tom Rampling who came on against Lynn started.
Wroxham held the Kent side until the break but had created enough chances to be in front. Craig Bussens hit the bar and was bundled over from behind when a penalty should have been awarded. Then, Matt Cook missed a one on one with the keeper in the six yard box and Ross Gilfedder got himself clear but his shot hit the keeper with Armani Schaar unable to convert the rebound.
Just three minutes into the second half and Phoenix were in front when ex-Hornchurch play Tyrus Gordon-Young fed Christie Pattison who shifted the ball onto his left foot to score.
With Wroxham pressing to pull one back they were going to be open to a counter attack and Ross Gilfedder was the guilty party when he fouled a Phoenix player and the referee awarded a penalty which was saved by Pride.
Phoenix doubled their lead five minutes from time and it was the same duo of Gordon-Young and Pattison involved but this time Pattison’s mishit cross sailed over Elliot Pride into the top corner.
This was typical of what happens when your luck is out.
But Team boss Coyle had no criticism of the players and is happy with the way they are working. “I can’t question their attitude and Elliot Pride didn’t have a real save to make all game as we created six good goal scoring opportunities. But we just lack that instinct to put those chances away”, he said.
Next Saturday The Yachtsmen face Haringey at Trafford Park and they must start picking up points as games are running out with a minimum 5 wins needed from 12 games left.