HISTON 4 HAVERHILL ROVERS 0

After a promising pre-season Haverhill came down to earth with a bump, two goals in the first ten minutes killing off this game with Histon netting another two times before the final whistle.

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THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

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The home side broke the deadlock in the 4th minute after a corner on the right went to the far post where Ed Rolph headed the ball in at the same upright, goalkeeper James Philp being left with little chance of a save.

With 10 minutes gone it was 2-0, some confusion on the edge of the Haverhill third ending with Matt Green cutting the ball back from the bye line right of goal and Danny Gould side footing the ball past Philp.

The away side started slowly and it took them 20 minutes before they looked like coming into the game, Philp pulling another of his fine saves during the evening to deny Rolph a second goal with 14 minutes gone.

The foot of the upright denied Histon a third goal with 34 minutes gone, some fine skill by Max York near the left corner allowing him to cut the ball back from Ollie Emsden, who hit the woodwork with a low shot through a crowd of players.

Two chances for Haverhill gave them hope of a comeback, Rafal Wozniak's full stretch over the shoulder low volley after Ben Bradley's cross on 36 minutes being stopped by 'keeper Sam Roach and Bradley's effort from right of goal a minute later after Perry Moody had slotted the ball into his path brought another fine save out of the home shot stopper.

Those hopes were dashed with 39 minutes gone, a counter attack by the hosts ending the ball being put across from the left and shot being feigned as it was put into the path of right back Lewis McDonald, whose first time effort on the run was low and in at the near post, despite Philp's dive.

Further saves by Philp, including a volley through a crowd of players and numerous headers being tipped over, plus a header from Rolph hitting the post came as Histon searched for a fourth goal, Bradley shooting at Roach in the away side's only chance of the second period.

The final goal came in the 76th minute when a diagonal ball on the counter attack found Gould in acres of space left of goal and just inside the Haverhill half; Philp came out to try and halt his progress but Gould put the ball to the goalkeeper's right before turning left to round him and walk the ball into the net.

ROVERS : Philp, Geoghegan, Fox, Miles (Tait, 79), Farrant, Holmes (A Sartini, 64), Abbott, Moody, Wozniak, Bradley (Judge, 73), Davis. Sub not used – J Sartini.

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Steven Esdale