WALSHAM LE WILLOWS 2 HAVERHILL ROVERS 2

Delight turned to despair for Haverhill in this fixture, a game that seemed destined to finish goal less after the first half ending up with the away side’s two goal lead being pegged back late on.

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THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

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Cameron Nicolls went close for the hosts on 23 minutes, dragging his shot wide after Tom Debenham made a bursting run forward, Haverhill’s closest chances coming when Lawrence Healey and Marc Abbott both fired well over from 25 yards out.

This was the most spirited performance the away side had put together recently and, after Rory Jebb had an effort cleared off the line moments earlier, they got their reward on 54 minutes, Luke Haines’ 25 yard free kick going through the wall and bouncing in an awkward place in front of goalkeeper Duncan McAnally, who could only put the ball into the right side netting off his body as he tried to shield it from going over the line.

Two minutes later and the away side were two goals to the good, ‘keeper Charlie Turner’s kick being knocked down by Jebb, Haines and Abbott playing a one two on the edge of the area and the former neatly curled a shot round a full stretch McAnally and near the top left corner of the net from 15 yards out.

Jebb had an effort brilliantly saved low down by McAnally on 64 minutes, Walsham dealing a sucker punch on 66 minutes when they pulled a goal back, Andrew Cusack putting in a high cross from the left that Turner tried to punch clear; it swirled in the air, he couldn’t get much on his clearance in a crowd of players and Ryan Twinn put a controlled half volley into the top left corner from 15 yards out.

This spurred on the hosts and they found something that seemed to be lacking before this goal, Haverhill holding on to try and seal a victory, Abbott having a low shot blocked by McAnally in their best chance.

With 88 minutes gone the wind was knocked out of Haverhill’s sails as Walsham found an equaliser, substitute Callum Dongray, moments after coming on, winning a battle left of goal and his low cross was converted at the near post by Jack Brame at full stride.

ROVERS : Turner, Geoghegan, Fox, Milne, Holmes, Watson, Abbott, Haines, Jebb, Healey, Halls (Bradley, 73). Subs not used – Micklewright, Judge.

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Steven Esdale