October the 8th will be a date in the diary - Wroxham won for the first time this season!

Playing a team bottom of the Ryman Division One South, Wroxham produced a display of control and skill at odds with a heavy pitch and a game that had its fair share of indiscipline.

Wroxham lined up with Pride in goal, back four of Swatman, Clayton, Lewis and Plumstead, midfield of Cook, Fawkes, Datacampol and Platten with Gilfedder and debutant Davillian Katabana upfront. They kicked off shooting towards the car park end.

The first action of note was an injury to Gs winger Jack Warburton. Challenging for the ball on the edge of The Yachtsmen's box he went down in a heap from what looked a nothing challenge. He would be replaced 20 minutes later by player manager Darren Wheeler who went on to have a dramatic day himself.

Wroxham took the lead through the first chance of the game. Jake Platten worked well down the left to get the ball to Cassimiro Datacampol, he turned on to Davillian Katabana who chipped the ball into the right hand corner of the goal beyond the dive of keeper Oneal Garnes.

Manager Hilton obviously felt his charges could get amongst Godalming Town and he instructed Ben Fowkes to press, and his instruction paid off. Fowkes won the ball to got it to Ross Gilfedder, he played in Katabana down the tight hand side, and his cross was put out for a corner. This was swung in well, the ball falling to the consistent Ben Lewis who shot over from the edge of the box.

With both sides bottom of their respective leagues the game unsurprisingly lacked quality at times, but no lack of effort with Wroxham leading possession and territory.

On 18 minutes the Gs almost fashioned a goal out nothing. The ball broke from midfield to find Jaz Ratteray-Smith who shot from 30 yards. He beat Pride but hit the top of the Wroxham cross bar.

The Yachtsmen did not ignore this wake up call. A great cross field ball from Datacampol beat the full back to reach Fowkes, but his shot was saved well by Garnes low down to his left. The resulting corner was headed by Datacampol, but again Garnes handled well with Gilfedder looming.

On 26 minutes a Godalming free kick almost gave Wroxham a scare. The high delivery led to some head tennis and then a miss-hit shot from the edge of the area. This would have been routine for Pride but a bobble off a heavy pitch made it much more interesting!

On 33 minutes Katabana impressed again. His delivery from the left found the onrushing Gilfedder but he could not quite get enough on the header to hit the target. 3 minutes later debutante Katabana was at it again. This time good interplay with Gilfedder led to him back heeling into the big strikers stride but his shot did not quite match the build up and he skewed wide from 18 yards.

Wroxham saw their lead last till half time through strong defence and organisation. They were certainly not getting much out of Referee Mr Morrison to help with their cause.

The start of the second half saw Jake Platten make way for Jack Guyton. He joined a game that was tight and cagey until 60 minutes. It was Guytons pressure on Godalming full back Nick Hutchins that saw him win the ball and shoot from distance but he Garnes turn the ball away.

On 62 minutes Katabana's promising debut was brought to a close through a leg injury, but it's fair to say The Yachtsmen faithful will look forward to seeing more of him. Rocastle came on in a like for like switch.

Rocastle was immediately in the action. Through good skill he was able to drive into the Gs box and went down under a challenge. Amazingly, this was not given but Rocastle was booked for his troubles. The second time in 3 games The Yachtsmen had not got a penalty they deserved.

In the second half the match was hotly contested, but The Yachtsmen were winning all the key battles. On 72 minutes a free kick from the right found Gilfedder free at the back post to bundle the ball home and give the home side a two goal cushion.
This goal was satisfying for all. The Wroxham bench shouted for Adam Plumstead to move to ensure he took the towering Paul Shephard with him, which he duly did, and the space was left behind for Gilfedder to do the necessary.

Godalming did keep going, Leo Burgess cutting inside Liam Clayton and letting fly. Elliot Pride's heart was in his mouth as he allowed the ball through his hands, but it went over

The icing on the cake came in the last minute. Gs player boss Darren Wheeeler was sent off for an elbow on late substitute Baughurst. He exacted instant karma as he turned home a cross from man of the match Ben Fowkes.

Many more wins are required to get Wroxham up the league, but this was a welcome morale boost.
They face Needham Market in the next round