Norwich United v Haverhill Rovers

A ten minute second half spell was the key of a result that many would have predicted was on the cards, table toppers Norwich recording their tenth

straight league win against a Haverhill side that had matched them for most of the game.

The home side’s Adam Hipperson was twice denied by goalkeeper Jack Cherry in the first half between chances for their opponents, a Michael Shinn free kick not cleared and Nick Wilderspin scuffing the ball on to the post from four yards out and Marc Abbott shooting over first time from 25 yards out.

The game opened up shortly after the second half started and this favoured the hosts, who went ahead on 65 minutes when a momentary lapse by left back Will Gardner meant Mathew Blake got in on the right wing and his cross was placed on to the head of substitute Paul Cook who, four minutes after coming on, netted with a solid near post header into the top corner.

Four minutes later the lead was doubled, Blake being played in down the right and, with defenders chasing just behind him, he placed his shot into the far bottom left corner, leaving Cherry with no chance of stopping it.

On 75 minutes the game was over, Cherry coming out to punch a cross by Jamie Speller but not making a connection with the ball, the ball hitting the left hand upright off the crowd and, with the Haverhill defenders seemingly dumbstruck, Blake took advantage to score his second, Norwich’s third and leave their opponents with nothing from their travels.

ROVERS : Cherry, Holmes, Gardner, Shinn, Farrant, Wilderspin (Newnes, 57), O’Brien, Moody, Sigler, Abbott (Stevenson, 75), Murray
Sub not used: Alleyne

Man of the match: Sam Holmes

Reported by Steven Esdale