Grays Ath came up short on their long awayday to the Norfolk Broads, against a well-organised and skillful Wroxham side - although the final scoreline was certainly a bit harsh on Blues. Keeper, Danny Sambridge, was a spectator for long periods but the home side were clinical in taking the chances they had.

The first came in just the second minute, when Ryan Hawkins tried his luck but the attempt was wide. At the other end, Grays were trying a different formation, with Jordan Clark playing in a much more advanced position and he produced an uncharacteristic twinkle-toes run into the box, but was crowded out before he could get his shot away. Hawkins then had a second chance but aimed the ball straight at Sambridge.

Both sides were playing some attractive, passing, football - using the pitch’s wide open spaces and keeping the ball down on the excellent playing surface.

From a Macca Joynes free kick, Grays had a loud shout for a handball in the Wroxham area but the appeals were waved away by referee, Aimee Kier, who generally had a good afternoon (consistent decision-making, tried to keep the game flowing and largely anonymous - all good officiating).

Midway through the half, the ball was cleared from another Grays attack, falling to Gael Kileba, some thirty yards out, who let fly an absolute thunderbolt of a shot that home keeper Tom Coombe only kept out with a flying save.

Wroxham built their play from the back with real control, especially through Ben Lewis, whose trademark runs out of defence were a constant menace. Sambridge also had to be alert when Harry Sparrow broke through the visitors’ back line but the keeper was up to the task.

As the half time whistle approached, the home side pushed forward. Alex Moss was on hand to make a goal line clearance from Sammy Johnson. But then, with the last play of the half, Blues completely switched off. A Wroxham corner was met by two unchallenged headers before Jordan King found himself unmarked in the six yard box to volley home for a 1-0 lead. It was the decisive moment of the game. Grays didn’t deserve to go in at the break a goal down, but it changed the momentum.

Half time : Wroxham 1 v 0 Grays Athletic

The second half started as if it would progress in much the same fashion - both sides pressing against determined defensive lines. But then from a Grays corner, Wroxham broke swiftly. A missed tackle left Lucas Densley to run clear and he unselfishly squared for Ryan Hawkins to have the simplest of finishes to make it 2-0.

Home keeper, Coombe, then twice did his very best to get Grays back into the game. A long-range shot from Denim Nnamudi was shovelled clumsily around the post, when the ball could easily have gone into the net. And minutes later another trademark cut-in and shot from the same player, bounced in front of the keeper, making for a very awkward save.

With ten minutes to go, Sammy Johnson should have done better from close range but put the ball over the bar. And then as the clock ticked into added time, sub Isaac Jobling found himself suspiciously in the clear behind the Grays back line, looking to be in a very offside position, but the linesman made no signal and the Wroxham man could hardly miss, making it 3-0 at the end.

This was a clear tale of a team in a run of getting games over the line, taking their chances, and one that isn’t that didn’t (if that makes sense !) But fair play to Wroxham who worked hard, closed down and pushed forward with purpose.

But Blues have a quick chance to make amends with another away trip on Tuesday evening, this time though much closer to home, at Bowers & Pitsea.

Final score : Wroxham 3 v 0 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Brampton (Harvey), Joynes, Moss, L.Clark (35, Sammons), Hogan, Kileba (60, Kileba), Muldoon (75, Moncur), Wade, Nnamudi, J.Clark

Sub not used: Drew