Mixed beginning

Roy Webster

So far so good. That was the general consensus on Wroxham's new season after an enterprising display of passing that resulted in an excellent 4-1 victory over Felixstowe and Walton in the Yachtsmen's opening game.

That was on Saturday, but come Tuesday night that view had to be seriously revised following an unflattering 3-2 defeat at Lowestoft.

That left dark question marks hanging over a central defence where, without former player of the year Josh Carus, careless goals were conceded with one of them a penalty for a foul by Graham Challen, his second spot kick concession in two games.

Saturday's victory was based on positional symmetry, systematic running with striker Paul Cook, who has produced his top form, opening the scoring.

And after Phillips equalised with the penalty after Challen brought down Claydon it was all Wroxham with Alex Notman, who controlled the team in the hole behind the main striker, firing home a 24 yard beauty to put his side ahead.

Wroxham's top-class new keeper Mcanally signed from King's Lynn pre-season was proving himself in great style and is considered a worthy replacement for Robert Woodcock who appears to have had second thoughts about giving up football to be with his family, now putting on the jersey for Kirkley.

Thus another change of mind by yet another former Yachtsman who appears able to shrug off the embarrassment of a u-turn through the overtures from Kirkley's Mr Motivator.

The second half belonged to Andy Key who was set up by Cook for Wroxham's third and then on his own unlocked the home defence. A scintillating individual effort that took him on a run from his own half, leaving three defenders floundering before blasting the ball past the keeper from a narrow angle.

Manager Hilton's team selection for the Lowestoft visit on Tuesday was not a popular ensemble for the Wroxham travelling faithful.

They believed there had to be another reason than loss of form for excluding Carus, for this amiable player appeared to do little wrong on Saturday.

Right back Danny Self and Alex Notman were both unavailable, but Cook who opened the scoring was taken off at the break when the Yachtsmen were then trailing to two goals from Godbold and Woodrow.

Cook's fellow striker Crane also made way for Harley who was then completing a twin strike force with manager Hilton. Alas this partnership seemed far from being goal-orientated and when Challen conceded his 70th minute penalty making the score 3-1, the points had got away despite an own goal that left the Blues winners by the odd one.