THETFORD TOWN 1 HAVERHILL ROVERS 2

Haverhill’s first win for four weeks came at the expense of Thetford, who recorded their third straight home defeat in a little over a week.

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THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

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Some good saves from away goalkeeper Mitchell Ware kept the hosts at bay in the opening 10 minutes, Ware denying Valter Rocha and keeping a header after a free kick out, Mark Lovell latching on to a through ball by Paul Miles that Thetford defender Jon Carver couldn’t stop after 17 minutes but Lovell’s shot was too close to the goalkeeper as he stung his hands from a standing position.

Haverhill went ahead on 23 minutes after a diagonal ball from Ware found Ben Tait on the left, who slipped the ball inside for the on running Lovell; the latter then took the ball in his stride and tapped it across the six yard box, cutting out ‘keeper Will Viner and causing the ball to spin off Carver’s foot and into the net for an own goal.

Thetford had a golden chance to equalise four minutes later when a free kick by Ross Bailey from the left wing went towards the danger area, Rocha went down near the penalty spot before the ball reached the area and a spot kick was awarded; Rocha stepped up but Ware saved the ball with his legs to send the ball out for a throw in on the right hand side.

Eleven minutes into the second half Haverhill’s lead was doubled, a counter attack finding Tait on the left and he put the ball round a defender for Mickey Davis, who took a touch away from two defenders and then put a low effort into the bottom right corner across Viner.

With 66 minutes gone it was 2-1, Rocha being played in and getting ahead of defender Ryan Geoghegan before dinking the ball round Ware to roll it into the bottom right corner of the net.

Some goal line clearances from Geoghegan, some deflections, another save from Ware and a low cross/shot from Bradley Sandell kept the score as it was in the closing stages and halted the away side’s 2-0 curse for this game at least.

ROVERS : Ware, Geoghegan, Davis, Yallop, Holmes, Noble, Halls (Bradley, 78), Miles, Lovell, Haines (Sartini, 85), Tait. Sub not used – Abbott.

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Steven Esdale