No Joy At Wroxham

It was an unhappy return to Trafford Park for AFC boss David Batch and his management team to their former club as the third-placed Yachtsmen scored a goal in each half to clinch victory and put a dent in the Suffolk sides playoff hopes in what was only their second defeat away from home in 17 games this season.

Despite a terrible night weatherwise, with a strong wind and torrential rain at times, the game attracted a crowd of 159, just three short of Wroxham’s best this season.

They saw a match with little between the teams in terms of possession but the hosts proved far more clinical in front of goal and but for another fine game by keeper Marcus Garnham the margin of defeat would have been greater.

Batch made three changes from the side that started the previous game. Kris Newby returned from a one game ban while Lee Flynn and Scott Kemp also returned. Ayrton Coley and Jack Guyton dropped to the bench while Lawrence Yiga was not available. On his return from loan at Haverhill Rovers Tyler Kemp was named amongst the substitutes.

Sudbury had the strong wind at their backs in the first half and they started well with two chances falling to Newby but both were off target.

Wroxham broke the deadlock after 12 minutes with a swift counter attack when Remy Gordon broke down the right and his cross found Christy Finch who fired past Garnham with ease which proved to be the only goal of the half.

Two minutes later a carbon copy move almost brought goal number two for the hosts but former Sudbury player Jamie Forshaw scuffed his effort wide.

The hosts were now enjoying a fine spell and a double save by Garnham after 19 minutes denied Forshaw and Gordon before Sudbury’s best chance of the half came when Newby unleashed a shot from distance that was well saved by home keeper Elliott Pride.

Sudbury had the strong wind in their faces in the second half and they went on to enjoy plenty of possession without threatening to find a way past a sound home defence.

Wroxham continued to look dangerous on the break and another fine save by Garnham denied Finch adding a second. But the Sudbury keeper had no chance when the speedy Gordon broke and unleashed an unstoppable shot to double Wroxham’s lead after 69 minutes.

Two minutes later Sudbury had a great chance to reduce the deficit but Terry Rymer’s close range header was well saved by Pride.

From then on the home side held on for a comfortable win to avenge a one goal defeat at The Wardale Williams Stadium earlier in the season.

Att 159

Pat Arbon