A disappointing afternoon at the SCT, as the early sending off of Wroxham full back Jackson Ramm meant that the free flowing game that many had hoped for failed to materialise as Thamesmead’s growing army of fans endured rather than enjoyed the last day of British Summer-time as their heroes drew a blank and slipped two places in the Ryman North table.

Even before Ramm’s departure the Mead went close with Ibrahim Kargbo drilling narrowly wide from 20 yards after Jay Porter and Richard Butler had combined.

But this was a game that was over as a contest after just 17 minutes when Wroxham were reduced to ten men as Ramm inexplicably lashed our at Marc Gorbell after the Mead defender had cleared a Wroxham attack.

But for all their possession and control, the home side rarely threatened the visitors’ goal thanks primarily to an outstanding performance from the Yachtsmen’s skipper Andrew Howell who maginificently marshalled his stretched defence.

Indeed the rest of the first half was sadly almost instantly forgettable! Fortunately the second half improved – but not by much. Quite rightly, Wroxham decided to defend what they had and leave it to the home side to break them down.

The closest the Mead got was a free kick from sub, the fit again Derek Duncan, who curled a shot over the statuesque Pride in the visitors goal only for the ball to clip the bar on its way over.

Top scorer Tyrus Gordon-Young then spurned a great chance – heading a Michael Azaiya cross straight at Pride, before the same players combined to this time force Pride into a full length save as the home side’s frustrations grew!

Sub Aaron Jeffrey then did well only for Michael Uwezu to pull his shot wide, and as the clock ticked down Aaron was again the provider – this time for centre half Marc Gorbell who had been sent forward, to graze a post with a prodded shot.

Marc was then left incensed when a header from a corner was clearly handled by a defender only for the referee to wave away the almost pleas for a penalty!

On a day of few pluses for the home side, the major one was the return albeit only for part of the game of Derek, whilst the point did provide the Mead with their first clean sheet since September 5th as well as snapped a two game losing run.

But The Gaffer will know that the midweek trip to second place Thurrock will demand a much improved performance particularly in the final third!
THAMESMEAD TOWN – Walker, Azaiya, Porter, Dark, Barry, Gorbell, Butler (Duncan HT) , Kargbo, Gordon-Young, Uwezu (Hallam 82), Everitt (Jeffrey 65)

Subs – Anidugbe, Omand

WROXHAM – Pride, Ramm, Taylor, Sturman, Howell, Eddage, Garrod (Norman 61), Guyton, Beaumont (Spooner 90), Forshaw, Waters (Robinson 78)