Gorleston v Haverhill Rovers

Rovers completed their season with a disappointing defeat away at Gorleston in a defeat that, on balance, flattered the home team as they bulked the

score line with two late goals.

The opening stages was an even affair as play flowed end to end but the home side looked threatening in wide areas. It was a switch from right to left that created the first goal when a left wing cross was converted well by striker Joel Watts. Rovers frontman Tyrone Alleyne worked hard up front and it was pressure from his running that forced home defender Taylor into lobbing his own keeper to bring the scores level.

The home team continued to look the most likely team to score throughout the first half and it was not long before they restored the lead when skipper Daniels made a good run and shot past Smith with a right foot shot to give his team the lead at the break.

Rovers made changes at half time and bought on Stevenson and Shulver as they fielded five 17 year olds for the second half. Rovers enjoyed their best spell of the game as they dominated possession for good parts in the second half and played the better football. An equaliser look on the cards and this nearly came after a forward pass by Shinn found Alleyne, who crossed for Baughurst whose right foot shot bought a superb save out of the home keeper Humbling.

Rovers then went close again when Shulver's powerful right foot shot was inches over the Gorleston crossbar but the good spell was bought to a controversial end when a Rovers defensive mix saw the ball fall to home striker Watts, who passed the ball to Hough who finished from, what looked like, an offside position. This somewhat knocked the stuffing out of the Rovers comeback and another defensive mix saw Hough score again to give his team a flattering score in a game that was a great deal closer than the score line would suggest.

TEAM: Smith, Moody, Gardner, Shinn, Holmes, Wilderspin, Sigler (Stevenson 46), Abbott, Alleyne, Baughurst, Newnes (Shulver 46)