Wroxham came into this game buoyed by their midweek performance at home to Felixstowe, that earned them a point, but could easily have brought them with all three. Meanwhile Grays Athletic, playing at their temporary home of Tilbury FC, came into the game in contention for a play off place after a string of good results.

Conditions were not conducive to passing football. The strong wind coupled by swirling rain posed a constant challenge. Nevertheless the Yachtsmen started brightly and took the lead on 14 minutes when Ryan Miles cut in from the left and from the edge of the penalty area, curled his shot low inside the far post .

Grays hit back and scored two goals, both from set pieces , to give them the lead after half an hour. The Yachtsmen did not buckle and equalised minutes later when Miles cross from the left found Ryan Hawkins in space, and the Wroxham marksmen made no mistake, striking a firm shot into the Grays net.

The wind caused problems for both teams at set pieces, and Wroxham took the lead from a corner. Harvey Peters rose above the Grays defence ,his header was only parried, and he was on hand to power the rebound into the roof of the Grays net.
The Yachtsmen had turned it round, and went into half time with a 3-2 lead.

In the second half Wroxham played with the wind behind them. On 55 minutes a defensive slip in the home defence was pounced on by Miles who was brought down inside the penalty area. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Ryan Hawkins, put recent penalty misses behind him, and fired home his spot kick into the roof of the Grays net, to extend Wroxham’s lead.

Conditions were deteriorating , but Wroxham capped an outstanding display with a goal, described by no less than pundit Chris Sutton as a contender for goal of the season.

Wroxham keeper, Ollie Sutton collected the ball and punted it far up field, it bounced around the edge of the Grays penalty area, but its path completely deceived the Grays keeper, whose despairing dive left him clutching at air, as the ball went above his head, and nestled in the Grays goal.

The Wroxham skipper set off on what has been described as a Shearer style goal celebration, that earned the cheers of both home and away supporters in the ground . It was a truly memorable moment that will live long in the memories of the 202 spectators present.

With a three goal cushion, manager Jordan Southgate, utilised four of his substitutes in the closing minutes. Wroxham travelled back to the Broads with a valuable three points, in the quest to move out of the relegation zone, ahead of the holiday fixtures.

Photo: Ollie Sutton celebrates his goal to remember (photo George Purvis)