This was in effect a back to back meeting with a reversal of fortunes. When the sides met just before Xmas at Walmer Road, The Royals won 2-1 after Wroxham had enjoyed the majority of play but fell to two second half goals. This time despite Wroxham taking the lead again, the visitors fought hard and may have felt they should have got something from the game but they were on the wrong end of a defeat by the same 2-1 scoreline.
Wroxham made several changes to their starting line-up mainly through injuries and suspension of two 1st players Remy Gordon & Sam Harty that necessitated call-ups. On the other hand Kirkley’s 1st game was postponed because of a water logged pitch and they were able to call upon four senior players.
In early play the visitors looked the sharper as some Wroxham players got to know each other although young ‘keeper Kingsley Barnes was hardly tested . Play became more even as the Wroxham players got stuck into their task. Unfortunately this did not meet with the approval of referee Paul Smith who booked Cain Eagleton and another signing Tyler Curran for fairly petty offences.
Wroxham were gaining in confidence and took the lead shortly before half-time. A good moved saw an opportunity open up in the Kirkley defence and while Alan Anderson managed to block the first shot, Blake Robinson was on hand to tuck the loose ball in the bottom of the net.
HT Wroxham Res 1 Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves 0
Wroxham came out for the second-half with their spirits raised and almost had a second when a lovely cross from Curran into the danger area was spilled and Kirkley defenders did well to clear under pressure from the home forwards.
Soon after Kirkley equalised when the Wroxham defence stood off as Alex Holmes ram though and his shot took a deflection into the top corner giving Barnes no chance.
Wroxham restored their lead on 63 minutes with a bizarre own goal. Jack Smith and Luke priestly combined to play the ball out to the right for Robinson to chase. He was barely able to keep the ball in but managed to get in a shot cum cross which deceived Anderson and cannoned off the post before hitting a Kirkley defender's back to roll in the net.
The visitors then put the home defence under immense pressure as they tried to restore parity again. The Wroxham defence was resolute with the experienced Shaun Howes supporting some of the young players around him and Jack Houghton in particular outstanding.
Wroxham made a couple of substitutions with young 16 year olds Tom Knights and Sam Webb coming on to take over from some tiring legs.
Although Kirkley threatened, the only real shot they had was a 25 yarder from David Tarawali which Barnes expertly tipped over.
Referee Smith then booked Wroxham's player with the same surname, Jack but the young Yachtsmen held out for their first win since November but this took them up to 12th place.