Back to good habbits

Just when Haverhill Rovers' season looked like it may be about to stall, the team ended their run of back to back defeats in the most emphatic way possible. Experience triumphed over youth as they cruised past CRC 4-0, and memories of their two previous defeats were soon banished. The win also helped to show the depth in Peter Betts' squad, as a number of fringe players stepped up to the mark to seize their opportunity on a cold night at New Croft.

It would be unfair to say Rovers' season has stalled before this - they may have endured successive home defeats, but their 11 game unbeaten run prior to that and the narrow manner of those defeats already ensured that they had surpassed expectations. Debenham LC was a low mark and a deserved defeat, and even though they slumped in that game they still rallied to pull a goal back and it took a late winner to deprive them a point.

Dereham Town was always going to be a tough game, hosting the league leaders who themselves were on a run of five away wins. The visitors may have coasted ahead but Rovers again showed fighting spirit to pull back two goals, only again to be denied late on. The defeat was probably not the most bitter blow, more the manner in which the points were snatched in stoppage time.

So going into the CRC game Rovers were facing the very real prospect of a hat-trick of successive home defeats - this was the side that had won 4-2 at Hamlet Croft and 4-0 at home last season, the only side that Betts admitted had 'truly outclassed' them. And yet Rovers showed the resolve not to be affected by their recent results, putting in a convincing display to cruise to a comfortable victory, though perhaps not as convincing as the emphatic scoreline would suggest.

Now Rovers success on Tuesday should not be diminished, but it should also not be taken out of context. CRC, as all academy sides do, go through the regular process of losing their best players. This side was no means the tour de force that was narrowly stopped by Needham Market last season - they lay fifth in the table, having already lost three games and drawn six. But, as they showed on Tuesday, they are still a very good footballing side.

After Rovers took an early lead, they struggled to even get the ball past the half way line before the interval. CRC played a very smooth passing game, though as expected, some of the players were still struggling to understand each other. They passed well but failed to make any clear cut chances - for all their fancy footwork, Matt Morrison was not forced to make a proper save until the closing stages, though they did fire narrowly wide and over on several occasions.

Fortunately, Rovers settled everyone's nerves by coming out a different side after the interval. They were soon pressing the CRC box as the visitors looked weary and unable to cope with Rovers' advances, and Callum Harrison's volley into the top corner was very well taken. The youngster wasted no time in then sending Dalton O'Brien clean through, and the striker continued his fine finishing to effectively wrap the game up before the hour mark. Louis Harper showed that Betts still has quality on the bench when his cross led to Martin Trunca fumbling the ball into his own goal as O'Brien applied pressure.

If the first half showed a side struggling to get into the game after taking the lead, the second showed a composed side working well as a team and also performing brilliantly individually, for the most part. Betts especially praised Joe Boreham for his tireless work in the midfield, who has done well this season despite finding himself confined to the bench as of late. Harrison was my man of the match, and after stepping into the role vacated by Dan Emmanuel, may not have been as tricky but was certainly as effective. He showed a cool finish and great vision throughout the second half, and was perhaps unfortunate that O'Brien did not capitalise on more off his passes.

O'Brien himself is shaping into a fine striker with a very good return - his goals to game ratio makes him the club's highest scorer with five strikes in nine games, so if he maintains that level then he should reach 20 for the season. Cogger's return adds even more to the side, and he was quick to show his class and composure with an early goal, and his presence will be a real asset this season. Some of last year's good players are finding themselves cast to the bench with the advent of new arrivals, with Tuesday's substitutes showing strength there. All were good, but Harper's cross-cum-shot showed what a quick impact he can make, as well as highlighting the awareness of O'Brien.

Wardley and Marcus Hunt continue to look a formidable partnership at the back, commanding the outfield well and always eager to get stuck in to break down the opposition while happy to set up play going forward as well. Marc Abbott looks a little off the pace, but that is only compared to the high standards which he set himself at the beginning of the season. Betts hopes to sign a new attacking midfielder soon and he, allied with other players developing in the middle of the park, should help to remove the pressure for goals traditionally attributed to Abbott and O'Brien.

Rovers next play at Wivenhoe Town tomorrow, a venue they traditionally struggle at but must be optimistic going into this time. The side are mid table but have drawn their last three games. Rovers are now fifth, with just an extra 13 points needed to ensure Betts' initially under-ambitious aim of survival, and a real chance of achieving his true aim of a top ten finish. Betts said their aim now is to achieve consistently, and that they will be a top eight club if they can do that. Tomorrow's trip to Wivenhoe will provide another indication of just how consistent they can be.

(My interview with Betts is in yesterday's Haverhill Echo. A shortened version is online here).