With Kaine Challen & Damian Didwell taking over in the technical area, there was no change in the end result as the Reserves again lost despite some promising individual performances.
A very rainy and dull afternoon set the scene for what was to be a controversial clash between the two teams floating around the bottom of the table. Wroxham hoping for a change in fortune with Kaine Challen at the helm of the reserves once again and after a scrappy start to the game in the early exchanges Wroxham began to emerge with a lengthy spell of possession. Jordan Attree rose well to flick on a long ball forward from Gavin Lemon feeding in Danny Rogers who could only flash his effort wide of the far post. Harleston’s Oliver Willis was booked early on for dissent towards the assistant referee.
Wroxham continued to take charge with new man Gavin Lemmon and youngster Bradley Spooner started to pull the strings as the Harleston midfield struggled to get into the game however it was Harleston who were first to come close after Mac Gee fouled Richard Brett 30 yards from goal, Brett took the freekick forcing the Wroxham keeper Barnes into a fingertip save onto the crossbar and over. Wroxham responded with shots from Rogers and Lemmon but neither troubled the Harleston keeper.
The first controversial point of the game came when Attree pressed well and burst through looking like he would be one on one with the keeper before being brought down by Callum Burke who was undoubtedly the last man. However the for some reason the referee would only produce a for the yellow card for the player which then set the tone for an overly lenient performance from the official. From here Wroxham broke several times dangerously with a header from Mac Gee coming close and a smart chest, flick and volley from Attree that whistled past the post.
All Wroxham’s early work would be undone though as a slick ball through found Nicky Howell on the counter from a Wroxham attack who cut inside and saw his shot from just outside the six yard box deflect and nestle in the corner of the net giving Harleston the lead at around 30 minutes.
Towards the end of the half more controversy followed as Wroxham man Lemmon was two footed by Neil Renaut but the challenge went totally unnoticed and unpunished by the poor official, this was followed by Gee winning a strong challenge for Wroxham on Nicky Howell who then retaliated pushing Gee’s face into the floor, the referee saw the incident once again choosing not to punish the Harleston player.
Shortly after Danny Rogers was booked for mistimed challenge.

The second half began with Harleston starting brightly seeing a free kick tipped around the post by a sharp Barnes save. Wroxham put together a counter attack with Attree breaking forward overcooking his touch into a strong challenge from Gary Starling who followed through dangerously but avoiding any action from the referee. The lively Marcus Wilkinson for Wroxham turned on the style beating 4 Harleston players before launching a shot over the bar from distance.
Harleston then doubled their lead to the disbelief of most fans watching from both clubs as Chris Hall clearly handled in the box before volleying home, the referee admitting to the handball but claimed it didn't affect a goal scoring opportunity but obviously it did..
Wroxham responded again with Mac Gee volleying from 30 yards out first time from a corner onto the bar before a Harleston counter saw Charlie Norman Booked.
Ex Dereham man Lewis Rivett replaced Shaun Taylor and Nathan Caston came on for Danny Rogers for the Yachtsmen.
Soon after Gavin Lemmon was sent off with a straight red for allegedly making contact with Harleston's James Pike in a tackle although a yellow card seemed more suited and a big question mark as to why the official took no action against Pike for retaliation. .
The game rolled towards the end with Chris Hall toe punting wide and Nathan Castan heading wide, but in the fashion of the game Wroxham keeper Barnes was added to the book for complaining understandable after a player left a foot in as he claimed the ball leaving him with a nose bleed as the ref once again ignored it.
Harleston wrapped up proceedings as Scott Roberts in the dying moments as he ran one on one calmly chipping Barnes floating the ball into the net to finish the game 3-0.

A difficult and controversial game for Wroxham saw them leave Harleston pointless which was perhaps unfair and largely affected by refereeing decisions. Overall though an improved performance ignited by Kaine Challen gave plenty of positives for the blues on a poor pitch which didn't help. They will be hoping to create more chances going forward into the next vital game against Caister who sit just below Wroxham in the table but have played fewer games.