Storm Doris had visited Trafford Park, and the debris she had left in her wake was clear to all the faithful as they made their regular pilgrimage. The wind of change was also in evidence in the Yachtsmen dugout with David Coyle in charge for his first home game. His task? To drag his underperforming charges up the league.
The days challenge was Haringey Borough. The Borough would be no push overs as they themselves looked to push into the play off reckoning.
The Wroxham line up showed a few changes. Elliott Pride was in goal, with Saker and Rampling at full back. Captain Ben Lewis and Steffan Mallardo were centre halves behind a central midfield of Matt Cook and Jack Newman. Ben Fowkes started out wide on the right with Armani Schaar on the other flank. Craig Bussens played just behind Ross Gilfedder.
Haringey kicked off shooting towards the car park end. The opening was hotly contested with the Borough making the first half chance, but Pride was alert enough to com out of his goal quickly to get to the ball before the on rushing Dean Fenton.
Wroxham were playing really well however. They were really putting the visitors defence under the pressure, and passing the ball well despite the heavy pitch. This led to the first Yachtsmen effort. The ball was laid back to Cook central to the goal about 30 yards out. He made a fantastic connection but he was unfortunate to see the ball come back off the post. It was a truly fantastic effort and deserved more.
Wroxhams season long weaknesses were exposed on 18 minutes. Michael O'Donoghue brought the ball out of defence on a surging run. He beat 2 players but as he tried to get the ball central Pride gathered. Wroxham were very dis-organised and needed their keeper to tidy up.
Wroxham in general were doing really well but were struggling to create clear openings. But on 20 minutes the Yachtsmen worked the ball well and sent Craig Bussens clear and one one one with Harry Palmer in the visitors goal, but he stayed on his feet and Bussens could only hit his legs when he pulled the trigger.
On 25 minutes Wroxham put together another great piece of play. Bussens got the ball out wide and delivered a fabulous ball. Armani Schaar rose well to win the ball but he was offside. His effort was straight at the keeper anyway, but the Yachtsmen were doing very well and giving all in attendance hope for a positive result.
On 30 minutes the Yachtsmen hit the woodwork yet again. The ball was played up to Gilfedder with his back to goal 25 yards and here he drew the foul from the mountainous Aaron Scott. Jack Newman instantly took a fancy to the situation and got the ball down. He bent a glorious effort, but he hit the same post as Cook had 20 minutes before. The rebound almost fell to Schaar, but he was jostled off the ball drawing many calls from the home team, to no avail.
It was here that Haringey completed the smash element of the smash and grab raid that they would eventually complete. A good but hopeful ball was crossed over to the back post were Christopher Benjamin won the ball in the air to head to the near post. After how the game had gone this was almost unbelievable, but in the context of a painful season it was totally expected.
The next ten reflected the spirit and discipline of the Yachtsmen. They fought well, and you could not tell which team was winning and which losing. On 42 minutes Gilfedder hit a low shot from outside the area which took a horrendous bobble, but Palmer was alert to this late diversion to save well. The resulting corner went out to Newman, his back in almost found Schaar, but he missed his kick.
As referee Stuart Franklin blew to end the first half, David Coyle could go down the tunnel to reflect on a fantastic effort in the first half, but just no goals to go with it. To go in 1 0 down was totally undeserved.
The second half got underway and seemed to follow the pattern of the first. The Yachtsmen playing well, but not really creating chances. Bussens and Rampling looked to have the best options to create chance down the left, but their crosses were finding their centre forwards off side. Their corners were being nicely dealt with by a confident Palmer in the Borough goal. From elsewhere on the pitch, none of the home players appeared to want to deliver the ball into the danger area. This was frustrating to the management team in the home dugout.
On 66 minutes Coyle decided to change things with Ollie Humphries coming on for Ben Fowkes.
As Wroxham chased the game, chances started to appear for the visitors. On 68 minutes a ball into the Yachtsmen box caused a little pinball and fell to Scott Durojaiye, but his effort was wide.
On 74 minutes Coyle changed things by going to 2 up front, up this didn't change the quality of delivery. The level of frustration amongst the management was definitely rising.
On 78 minutes Borough sub Joshua Willer almost killed the game off. He suddenly worked some space in the area but his snap shot went wide of the near post. By the players reactions it was close!!
Schaar and Gilfedder were linking well, and the almost equalised. Schaar got the ball inside and Gilfedder hit a firm volley but this went straight at Palmer.
Wroxham were showing great character and spirit, and I think all present could admire this team strength. The last phase had drama as the Yachtsmen threw everything at the visitors.
On 85 minutes Gilfedder beat 2 defenders and tried to find Humphries in the centre. As he tried to win the ball he was penalised for fouling the defender, but the decision seemed a little soft to those watching.
Borough nearly sealed the victory as Anthony McDonald worked hard out wide and his ball beat everyone to arrive at sub Dewayne Clarke, but his effort fizzed just wide.
Wroxham kept going, and as results elsewhere were going against them the Yachtsmen were winning a free kick 30 yards out. Gilfedders shot was crisp, but straight at Palmer again.
In the last moments Wroxham won a corner. A wicked ball in was challenged for, and Palmer got a strong hand to it. He, luckily for him, deflected the ball just over the bar.
The game came to an end, and you couldn't quite believe the Yachtsmen had lost. But the home fans can be proud of such a great effort and performance against a high flying team in the league.
We go again!!