Wroxham produced a royal performance after the sad news of the weekend in this re-arranged FA Trophy fixture writes Darren Wiseman.

What a sad week it had been. Queen Elizabeth the second sadly passed away and football stopped. I think we all stopped for a moment at least, and then went on again knowing nothing would be quite the same as it was. Football started again on a damp, fresh autumn night at Trafford Park. The re-arranged fixture meant the visitors were short 6 first team regulars, but it seemed everyone was just happy to be back to a little bit of normality.

Wroxham had Ollie Sutton sidelined with injury, so started with Norwich loanee Sam Blair in goal. Harry Barker and Travis Dodsworth were full backs next to Josh Hazell and Robbie Linford. Midfielders Jordan King and Harley Black were flanked by Ryan Miles and Brad Spooner. Matt Hayden led the line with Ryan Hawkins at 10. After a minutes silence, the visitors got us underway shooting towards the Kenny Cooke stand.

The game started as quite a tight affair. Both teams testing each other, and it was the Yachtsmen who found an early frailty. Hawkins was taken down in the box by Glenn Wilson and Mr Crofts awarded a penalty. Matt Hayden stepped up and finished with a plomb, the ball finding the top of the goal to give the home side the lead on 6 minutes.

The Wasps reacted strongly. A cross from the right found Matthew Daniel from right wing, and his header was just wide. This was a wake up call for Wroxham, having only been ahead for 4 minutes.

Wroxham were playing well however, enjoying the ball in midfield and eventually playing in Spooner. His first effort was well saved, and his second fizzed across the face of the goal and wide. On 18 Minutes the Yachtsmen made it 2-0. Great build up featuring the ever lively Ryan Miles and Hayden saw the big number 9s shot tipped round the post for a corner. The resulting set piece was initially cleared, but it only dropped to Miles on the edge of the box, and his finish was a sumptuous finish, right into the top left corner of the goal.

Ryan Miles was having a great start to the game. He followed his goal with a touch from a long clearance that was a dream. He played in Hawkins, but his effort was just wide.

The visitors were hanging on with such a makeshift side, but on 29 minutes they got back in the game. Daniels was played in behind the Yachtsmen defence, he ran into the Wroxham penalty area and finished nicely under the onrushing Blair.

3 minutes later, all the Wasps hard work was undone. The electric Ryan Miles ran with the ball on the left into the area, and produce another great finish to beat Pierson in goal to make it 3-1 to the home side.

Wroxham started to look a little ragged towards the end of a one sided first half, but Miles did have a chance for his hat trick. Hawkins played the number 7 through but his first time effort was well saved by Pierson. 3-1 at the break.

With East Grinstead Town manager and stand in centre half having the rant of all rants at half time the music was cranked up to cover any expletives. But despite his best motivational efforts the second half seemed to start in a similar vein. Miles was again giving Cooney nightmares as he ran at the Wasps manager, but then his shot took a big deflection but Pierson was equal to it with a smart save.

Miles was having a great night against a makeshift defence. His quick feet saw him dance round a couple of defenders before pulling back to Black, but his effort from 8 yards was well saved.

On 70 minutes East Grinstead Town showed Wroxham that they hadn’t quite put the tie to bed just yet. A ball in from the right was met at the near post by Anderson and it went just wide. A goal then and the tie would have been alive with 20 mins to go. As it was, 2 mins later Wroxham had finished the contest. The hard working Hayden slotted a ball through for substitute Poynter who hit a first time shot which he slotted neatly past the on rushing keeper for 4 – 1

As the game was managed to a conclusion Miles almost earned a hat trick to go with his Man of the Match performance. Dancing round three defenders, his curling shot just narrowly beat the far post.

4-1 it finished, and the 131 in attendance had a happy spot to lighten the mood in a sad week. Next up for the Yachtsmen, Lowestoft at home on Tuesday.