HAVERHILL ROVERS 2 WHITTON UNITED 1

This end of season clash was not exactly a classic but was full of incidents with a positive outcome for Rovers.

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THURLOW NUNN PREMIER DIVISION

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The blustery conditions did not lend themselves to attractive football from either side throughout and contributed to two nasty head injuries occurring both to Rovers players. The first, on 10 minutes, being a ball smashed in the face of striker Graeme Turner from point blank range by a Whitton defender which rendered him unable to carry on and it looked like the poor lad had been 10 rounds with Antony Joshua as he was assisted from the pitch and off to hospital for a check up.

Youngster Ben Tait took his place and was outstanding throughout the game with his pace, technical ability, accurate passing and crossing into dangerous areas and was instrumental in winning a free kick and a possible goal chance, taken by Luke Haines which was frantically cleared to safety. Then came injury number two when Jake Noble and a Whitton player clashed heads and Jake suffered a deep cut to his eyebrow which required several stitches and he too went to hospital with Turner.

Ryan Weaver was then taken down dangerously by Adam Dunnage according to the referee and was shown red card and half time arrived goalless.

Within 8 minutes of the restart 10 man Whitton went 1-0 ahead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area which was suitably dispatched by Jamie Cole. Josh Hubert was then booked for yet another foul on the difficult to handle Tait.

On 69 minutes Rovers were level when Harry Daniels crossed into the crowded goal area and Ryan Weaver was first to react as he slid it home. Henry Hall was then replaced by Cohen Micklewright on 76minutes which meant that no fewer than 6 players on the pitch were under 19 years old.

As the match entered the last 15 minutes Rovers upped their game and both Sam Bennett and Ryan Weaver went close to securing the points before the latter sent in a sizzling shot from a sharp angle which keeper Lewis Higgins could only parry to the lurking Luke Haines who made no mistake in volleying home for the Rovers winner in the 90th minute to secure the points and 12th place.

At the time of writing both injured players have received treatment at Addenbrookes Hospital and although Noble did have several stitches in his eyebrow we are unsure of Turners outcome.

Team: G.Bugg, H.Halls, H.Hall (C.Micklewright 76m), J.Noble (H.Daniels 37m), S.Goode, S.Holmes, L.Haines, R.Laird, G.Turner (B.Tait 12m), R.Weaver, S.Bennett.

Attendance: 93.

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Bryan Jones