Despite missing several players from Tuesdays winning team against Spixworth, the reserves put on an excellent performance at home to Harleston whilst down to 10 men for almost two thirds of the game.
Sam Gray received two bookings within five minutes and was shown a red card by referee Farrow on 35 minutes.
Right from the start the young Yachtsmen were stroking the ball around nicely and a lovely pass found Shaun Taylor well forward who turned inside to open up a scoring chance but shot tamely.
Then two more chances came firstly from a free-kick when Taylor’s header was acrobatically turn over by Harleston keeper John Howes. This was followed by another save by Howes who tipped over Bradley Spooner’s shot.
Somewhat against the run of play Harleston scored the opening goal on 19 minutes when a cross from the right fell perfectly for Richard Brett to side foot past Kingsley Barnes at the far post.
Almost straight away another Spooner shot was handled in the area and Wroxham were awarded a penalty. Despite diving the right way, Howes was unable to get near Sam Harty’s firm spot kick in the bottom corner to level the score.
The Wroxham players were playing some lovely passing football which was a delight to watch but again were caught out by another Harleston break away which almost brought a second for the visitors. Although Kingsley Barnes managed to block a goal ward bound shot it required a hacked clearance by Sam Grady to clear upfield.
Gray was then in the thick of the action again as he was booked for an alleged foul five yards outside the penalty area. It seemed a good piece of defending only for the referee to award a free-kick to Harleston whose players were asking for a red card, as they tried to intimidate the ref that it was worse and Gray was the last man. Unfortunately for the Wroxham player he was involved in another tackle a couple of minutes later for which the referee again awarded a yellow card followed by a red.
Although down to 10 men Wroxham regrouped with a brilliant reverse ball from Shaun Taylor on 40 minutes to set-up Jack Lincoln who hammered home for a half-time lead.
HT Wroxham Res 2 Harleston 1
Harleston got themselves back in the game shortly after half-time. Marcus Wilkinson who had taken up the left back berth appeared to be tugged but the referee allowed play to continue as Chris Hall cut in to shoot over Barnes into the far corner.
This was harsh on the home side who continued to battle away despite more pressure by Harleston. But they had a chance to regain the lead when Wilkinson’s cross found Bradley Spooner in space who had a free downward header which was straight at Howes.
They were not to be denied though and scored a brilliant third goal. Sam Harty played a one-two with Spooner whose cross was volleyed home by Ollie Ebbage with a form of scissor kick which simply hit the far netting given Howes no chance. It was a glorious goal by the Wroxham player which impressed the few hardy souls watching.
There was still time for another goal scoring chance when Spooner’s curler was just wide. Although Harleston had another chance to get a point when a shot placed across goal just went wide of the far post, Wroxham held on to the delight of the players and their followers.

Team boss Dave Harty commented on how pleased he was with the last three performances and the progress of the squad.

FT Wroxham Res 3 Harleston 2