Tuesday 9th February 2010
Ridgeons League Cup 2nd Round
BLOATERS 1, WROXHAM 2
Aet. 1-1 at 90 mins
A magnificent free kick goal from Joe Bell was not enough to keep Yarmouth in the League Cup, though it did prolong this second round tie into extra time when Wroxham found a late winner.
With both teams making wholesale changes to their squads for various reasons – Yarmouth had players cup-tied and Wroxham are in the middle of two important FA Vase matches - the first half was circumspect as both sides weighed each other up.
Play was evenly distributed but it was the Premier Division Yachtsmen, visiting the Wellesley for a second cup match this season, who opened the scoring, vitally just before half time. Wroxham won a corner on their right which Shaun Howes swung beautifully into the middle where it bounced off the cross bar and fell perfectly onto the head of Owen Paynter who nodded home.
The second half was in marked contrast to the first, and was full of incident. Wroxham should have gone further ahead after 50 minutes but James Bulman screwed his shot wide when well-placed.
Yarmouth brought on Stewart Roach and Vida Formoso on the hour which livened play up and when the Bloaters were awarded a free kick outside the box Olly Savage stung ‘keeper Phil Smith’s hands with a fierce shot.
Controversial referee Mike George, who had earlier crossed swords with Yarmouth boss Paul Tong, then sent two Wroxham officials away from the touchline for comments made, but they had more pressing matters to worry about as moments later Yarmouth found an equaliser.
Yarmouth won another free kick in the 84th minute some 25 yards out as the Wroxham defending became panicky but this time it provided the perfect opportunity for Bell, who had just come on, to beat Smith with another wonderful effort, almost a repeat of his other goal this season.
The game grew in intensity in the final minutes and when the Yarmouth defence got in a muddle over a back-pass the whole Yarmouth team lined up on the goal-line as Wroxham took the indirect free kick which was played away three times as shots rained in.
Hilton then produced a vital save in the fifth minute of added time as Yarmouth took their Premier visitors to extra time. As the legs tired the game opened up and chances came, particularly for Wroxham, but the defences held. Another well-struck Bell free kick this time only found the ‘keeper who held on, and at the other end Savage produced a goal-saving clearance.
Visiting ‘keeper Smith caused some excitement as he raced 30 yards out of his goal, and towards the touchline to clear as Yarmouth closed in. Then with four minutes left, and with some supporters wondering who would be taking the ;penalties, Wroxham struck: first a Paynter free shot came down onto the bar, then as the attack continued substitute Olly King, looking suspiciously offside, was allowed to go on and shoot the winning goal.
On the balance of play, it was just about the right result, but was tough on a Bloaters’ side who have given the Yachtsmen three battling cup ties and now have an idea of what they will be up against next season should they obtain promotion.
Yarmouth – M Hilton, B Junior, O Savage, C Roberts, M Saunders, C Owen, F Vide (J Bell 80), D Smith, L Bartley (S Roach 59), J Reed, S Woodcock (V Formoso 59). Unused subs: M Magee, J Jessup (g/k).
Attendance - 64