HAVERHILL ROVERS 1 GODMANCHESTER ROVERS 1

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Last season before the records were controversially expunged we had enjoyed two victories against this opponent winning 2-0 away & a surprise 6-2 win at home with the now departed John Palmer notching a hat trick on the day.

Rovers started slowly, as they had in their two first games of this season, conceding a very early goal with the defence giving their opponents far too much room and the unmarked Chandler ran on unchallenged, on the right wing, to slot clinically past stranded goalkeeper Philp for the lead in under 3 minutes. Godmanchester continued to pressure the home defence and succeeded in gaining several corners during the first 20 minutes & forcing Philp into a succession of brilliant & reactionary saves again from the dangerous Chandler & Hyem.

Although for the most part in the half the visitors were the more dominant, Rovers Aaron Hudson was a constant threat with his penetrating crosses but with the end products unfortunately being absent. The best chance being skied over the bar when scoring seemed easier. Youngster Tom Stoker was however on the end of another of Hudson’s superb crosses & looped his header over the static visitors keeper Conroy and Into the waiting net for the equaliser into added time in the half. There was however still time for yet another great save by Philp from a rasping shot from Allen to preserve the status quo at the interval.

The second half saw the home team begin without the services of Alfie Carroll due to an injury sustained towards the end of the first half & Dan Olive duly subbed. Rovers came out from the interval in the next gear and saw a much more needed lively & positive performance with Tom Stoker, Ben Bradley & Ryan Gibbs showing their true colours with aggressive & penetrating play forcing the visitors into some frenetic defending & with goalkeeper Conroy showing his class & experience with some fine saves. Haverhill, with a hitherto totally clean disciplinary record this season then received two yellow cards in the space of three minutes for Rider & Bradley as the match gained renewed momentum, with both sides looking for the winner. Keepers at both ends were outstanding and were key in maintaining the scoreline and despite the visitors making all three of their substitutions both defences held firm and the game ended justifiably as a 1-1 draw and a hard earned first league point for the home side.

As a footnote the game was played in a very sporting manner notwithstanding fair physical encounter and was very well controlled & marshalled throughout by all three officials.

My man of the match was Aaron Hudson – tireless energy, great ‘tekkers’ & dangerous crosses throughout.

Team: J Philp, L Porter, R Oteng, J Rider, A Carroll (46m), P Moody, A Hudson, B Bradley, R Jebb, T Stoker, R Gibbs
Subs: D Olive (46m)
Subs Not Used: L Haines, R Shulver, J Butler, M Abbott

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Bryan Jones