BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 5 HAVERHILL ROVERS 1

Brantham's 100% record at home in the league was maintained with this emphatic win over a Haverhill side that rarely threatened their goal.

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THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

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With just under a minute gone a poor back pass from the home side's William Crisell almost let in the away side, Ben Bradley laying the ball to Luke Haines but the latter's tame shot was collected by goalkeeper Callum Robinson; Haines also put a 25 yard effort from centre of goal wide of the bottom right corner on 11 minutes as Robinson dived to ensure he was not beaten by the effort.

Brantham went ahead on 19 minutes when a chest high cross from the right was met with a strong header by Craig Hughes, whose effort went into the ground at pace and into the left side of goal from 6 yards out and in line with the opposite upright.

Hughes netted again the same amount of time later after a cross from the right by Joseph Yaxley, his well timed 15 yard first time volley being covered by 'keeper Mitchell Ware but it took a deflection on the way through and Ware was left helpless as it went to the right of his foot as he dived the other way.

Away defender Perry Moody also kicked Daniel Rowe's header off the line with Ware beaten just before the half time whistle.

Eight minutes after the break Brantham went 3-0 up, Moody's square pass to Ware not finding its target and, after Rowe's effort was blocked, Yaxley netted the loose ball.

With 56 minutes gone the hosts were four goals ahead, substitute Jack Madley being played in right of goal and, as Ware came out to meet him, a square ball left him out the picture and Sam Newson netted from close range.

After Ware dribbled into danger and his clearance was sent back by Louie Newland Moody again came to the rescue on the line with 63 minutes gone, a small gleam of hope coming for the away two minutes later when a through ball by substitute Mitchell Burr gave Prince Mutswunguma a chance, which he took in his stride before putting a low shot to the right of Robinson.

Brantham netted the afternoon's final goal in the 89th minute, Hughes' volleyed diagonal ball out to the left finding Row, who ran on before shooting low past Ware.

ROVERS : Ware, Yallop, Fox, Noble (Sartini, 81), Holmes, Moody, Abbott, Haines (Burr, 61), Bradley, Mutswunguma, Davis (Tait, 61). Sub not used – Miles.

Link to Match Photos

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Steven Esdale