Any fear that Haverhill Rovers' recent remarkable run of results might stall was swiftly quashed on Saturday, despite a first half performance resembling a team that had struggled to score for four games, much less won the last four. Before the game, manager Peter Betts had demanded a win from his team as the only acceptable result, and fortunately their superiority shone through after a dire first half. A local derby was always going to be feisty, and sure enough the handbags were out in the opening exchanges with Marc Abbott in particular fortunate not to get a card for a vengeful tackle. Despite the lack of creativity and midfield war that seemed to drag the game into the mire, Rovers still held a resolute defence that kept the visitors subdued to a few far fetched chances - even more impressive as the central defensive partnership of Marcus Hunt and Stuart Wardley was disrupted, with Sam Holmes coming in as centre back with Hunt pushed forward in place of the suspended Stuart Kingham.The Ridgeons Premier League tie looked to be heading for a bore draw, even though Rovers made the better chances in the first half with Dalton O'Brien unfortunate with the few chances he spurned. The visitors certainly did not look capable of taking the points - much to my bemusement, one of their centre halves shouted up the pitch that the game was 'there for the taking' to his team mates as the half time whistle approached. It transpired that the game was there for the taking, but unfortunately for the optimistic defender it was for the hosts.
Betts did what he has done several times this season, clearly getting the right message across at the interval for his side to pull their thumbs out and ease to victory. Rovers came out quickly and were focused on the game - gone were the petty squabbles and lack of invention in the final third, replaced with better chances being made, tackles being won and domination being shown. It was not long before Greg Strong, a left back offering Rovers attacking width in addition to defensive certainty, put them ahead with a powerful (Strong, even) finish after seeing his first shot rebound back out to him.
After that the game seemed a formality - Rovers continued to dominate with little threat from Newmarket, although they did seem to struggle in search of a second - which, as past results have proven, is always dangerous. Fortunately Betts made another good call and introduced Callum Harrison, the stand out performer in the demolition of CRC, and he was on hand to bundle in the decisive goal. O'Brien popped up within the minute to combine with Neil Cogger and but the game beyond doubt. None of the goal were particularly aesthetic - in fact, all were rather scrappy - but it does not matter how they go in, as long as they do, and Rovers are having no problems finding the net right now.
One of the main reasons for their good run is their new found attacking potency -Marc Abbott has been in fine form, Craig Cutts is proving a reliable foil and Liam Paton has now further bolstered the ranks. The main plus though is Dalton O'Brien - the young striker, who trialled for Cambridge City, has hit seven league goals in 13 games, and is on course to become a 20 goals a season striker. Betts certainly shared my optimism when I spoke to him about Saturday's win, saying that's why the club signed him. Last season I watched Rovers often fall short due to poor finishing and lack of goals - 1-0 wins became 1-1 draws, potential wins were 0-0 draws or 1-0 defeats. Now it seems they have a well balanced side to banish those demons, and results are certainly a testament to that.
The defensive line has been equally impressive - though mostly unaltered (save for Strong), they are still proving a tough nut to crack with the lowest number of goals conceded to games ratio of any team in the division. Holmes had a man of the match winning game on Saturday, and he is often a peripheral player - Hunt admitted it can be frustrating to see such players unable to break into the first XI, but that in itself is a testament to the strength of the squad that Betts has assembled. They have hit the right mix at the moment and at the right time - even Betts is himself admitting now that he can aim higher than survival, saying that a top six finish is the target and anywhere outside of the top ten would be a disappointment.Christmas and the New Year will be the trying time when the strength in depth of this squad will be truly tested - there now seems to be cover in most areas, but the increasing fixture congestion will test that. Saturday's proposed trip to Wroxham is off due to the hosts instead playing Cromer Town in their Norfolk Senior Cup Round Four tie - why Norfolk games take precedence over league fixtures is confusing, as Suffolk cup games are held midweek to avoid these issues. It leaves Rovers facing the second placed team in back to back games at the end of March/start of April - in the short term, it leaves them facing another week without a game. At a time when the weather is unpredictable and wreaking havoc on the fixture list anyway, it is frustrating to see a game unneccessarily cancelled. Betts is weary of the team maintaining their momentum in the absence of games, but Saturday showed that Rovers can still turn on the style after being out of action for a fortnight. Hopefully it will be a similar story against Hadleigh on December 27.
