Mixed start for Rovers

After a flying start to christen New Croft with a late win over Walsham-le-Willows, Haverhill Rovers promptly stalled. Though that maybe a rather harsh judgement as they lost at home to a side that finished fifth last season in the Ridgeons Premier League. Stanway Rovers were always going to provide a sterner test than Walsham, and Haverhill are always going to struggle to win games as long as they lack a clinical striker. Still, the team only lost 2-0 so were not turned over or beaten easily, and a solid defence and good midfield that creates chances will always provide them with a good base to build from.

They did enjoy better fortune in the FA Cup though, defeating rivals Hadleigh United 2-1 to progress past the extra preliminary round of the competition, allowing fans to maintain their dreams of an eventual third round trip to Old Trafford or Anfield. They can now look forward to a long trip to Wellingborough to take on UCL Premier Division side Wellingborough Town for a place in the first round qualifying. Manager Peter Betts told me he has already made the trip to the town, near Northampton, to see how the team play and get some ideas before their encounter on August 28.

He described the club's FA Cup vicotry as 'the most important fixture to date' - due to their financial constraints any success brings much needed revenue. A good run could even see an increase in fortunes in the squad, that Betts does exceptionally well to run sucessfully on a shoestring budget (which is why I nominated him for the St Edmundsbury Sports Personality of the Year award). The team have just lost teenager Anthony Fernandez to Mildenhall, and a financial boost, coupled with Betts' fine management, could really see them become a force.

He admitted his side 'don’t know much about Wellingborough', but added that 'sometimes that can be an advantage'. Their opponants had no problem in reaching the next round as they swept past Kirkley and Pakefield 3-0, who themselves finished fourth in the league last year,.

Betts also said he hopes large crowds will continue to turn up at New Croft to support the team, saying: “So far attendance has been excellent and the players have been delighted with the support and performed, so hopefully people will keep coming as they don’t realise how much of a boost it is for the team.”

However, before their next Cup game they face a trip to Norwich United on Saturday before entertaining Wisbech Town the following Tuesday. Both teams are in fine form and will provide a stern test of Rovers' credentials if they are to successfully establish themselves as a top ten Ridgeons Premier League side.

Betts described the two fixtures as 'our toughest period', and said he hopes to take three points from the games. Neither will be easy, and though Rovers are hardly in fine form they have hardly begun the season either. They will be boosted by the return of Shaun Banham, but Betts said he expects him to play for the reserves and hopefully make the squad for the Wisbech game. However, if Rovers are to challenge in the top half of the league this season then these are the aims they must be setting.

Last season proved that on their day the team can beat anyone, and save for two thrashings by CRC were never seriously outplayed. Now they must focus on producing that form consistantly, because if they can they could become a real force in their division. They did drop plenty of points through poor finishing and a lack of a precise striker, as wins became draws and draws became defeats. Betts admitted they spurned numerous early chances against Stanway and that ended in defeat, and this must be something they look to put right this season. Hopefully the team can continue to up their game and pleasantly surprise fans with a string of strong results to provide them with a good start to the season.

(To see the full interview with manager Peter Betts see this week's Haverhill Echo, out tomorrow, August 19)