Long and difficult journey was prelude to disappointing outcome

By Chris Daines

6th Dec 2022 | Football


Ross Wall
Ross Wall

Wroxham 1, Heybridge Swifts 1

Departing at 3.45pm Swifts endured a long and arduous journey with road works and a road accident/diversion - arriving just before 6.50 pm. Manager Steve Tilson gave his pre-match talk outside just as the heavens opened at Trafford Park.

Ross Wall returned from his one-game suspension with Andy Fennell back amongst the substitutes - Manny N'Daw being absent due to work commitments.

Despite the long journey Swifts went ahead after just two minutes - a cross from the left found Wall and he headed the ball over the head of the Wroxham keeper for his 10th goal of the season.

Swifts thought they had gone two ahead when a free kick found Darren Phillips who headed the ball into the net beyond the keper but the Referee indicated a foul by Swifts skipper Quba Gordon. On 14 minutes Kieran Jones played the ball into Rob Harvey and keeper Sutton saved well from point-blank range.

Swifts continued to press and another chance went by when the ball rolled across the six yard area with Wroxham's defence in array.

All the pressure resulted in no further goals and Swifts went in 1-0 ahead thanks to Wall's early header.

The early part of the second half saw Wroxham make one change and they also picked up their third yellow card of the night. Swifts were struggling to make any headway and Wroxham appeared to be gaining in confidence with Darren Phillips having to make a last ditch tackle to prevent a Wroxham attack.

Swifts looked like they had doubled their lead after 65 minutes - a free kick from the right found Ross Wall whose header just looped over the bar - despite the writer and one other fan celebrating too early!

Swifts made a double change after 66 minutes - Andy Fennell and Sam Carter replacing Rhys Henry and Kieran Jones.

Within a minute the scores were level - Ryan Curtis broke beyond the Swifts defensive line and placed the ball beyond Callum Chafer into the far corner.

Wroxham seemed energised by the goal and enjoyed a spell of play but fortunately did little to trouble Chafer in the Swifts goal. We made our final change with Jack Adlington-Pile replacing Ben Sartain in the 84th minute.

Swifts started to put pressure on the Wroxham goal and went close when the ball fell to Darren Phillips on the edge of the area nd his half-volley fizzed wide.

Jack Adlington-Pile picked up a yellow card in injury time as Swifts were unable to secure the winning goal and the reaction of disappointment from the players was palpable when thanking the travelling Swifts fans.

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