Carry On Winning

After avenging October's league defeat by then basement club Debenham LC with a narrow 1-0 reversal in Debenham - their third successive 1-0 away win - Haverhill Rovers played two matches that stood in marked contrast to each other this week. Marc Abbott was quiet and subdued before running the show, Dalton O'Brien was clinical before being wasteful. Rovers were tight at the back and then careless, quick on the counter and then sluggish. However, the main thing that mattered was the result, and Rovers were able to celebrate two more wins at New Croft that leaves them on a remarkable run of eight successive league and cup wins stretching back to Dereham Town's 3-2 win at New Croft on November 6.

Saturday's 3-1 win against mid table Woodbridge Town, who had been enjoying a recent revival of seven wins from their last ten games after a poor start to their Ridgeons Premier League campaign (just one win and ten defeats in their opening 12 league fixtures) typified how Rovers have been playing lately - calm, controlled and effective. They did not score bags of goals, but they did not need to - what they did show though was that they boast goalscorers across the pitch. Dalton O'Brien, even when he is not scoring, is holding the ball up well allowing his team mates to catch up with play and providing space for others. It was this that allowed Neil Cogger to ease through and fire past Glyn Dixon for the opening goal.

Cogger has been a force for Rovers since his return this season, and his injury was the only thing that marred the match. However, Jack Higgs continued to impress as he was forced to deputise, and the team certainly don't rely on individuals this term. Fortunately for the team Cogger, who is optimistic about his side continuing their current form, should only be out for three or four weeks. O'Brien showed the cutting edge Rovers need up front as he scored a brace, and that was after missing a number of good opportunities and forcing saves - at least Rovers now have the midfielders to provide the chances for O'Brien and to score to supplement his goals this season, reducing the burden on the striker.

Stuart Wardley continues to look strong at the back, and Aaron Churchyard's consolation goal was not because of a defensive error. He did not look as settled though beside Sam Holmes in place of skipper Marcus Hunt, though the two were solid enough this time around and did enough to beat Woodbridge and stifle prolific striker James Hubbard. Louis Harper did well to make chances down the right, though did look shy to cut in and shoot and sometimes indecisive when given time. Rovers played the game to their strengths, not rushing but being patient, passing the ball along the ground and working the opportunities that would give them the goals to win in their increasingly trademark style.

If Saturday's win was typical and relaxed, yesterday's (Tuesday's) win against Histon Reserves was anything but. Many, myself included, expected an easy ride for Rovers against the side they beat 4-0 at Hamlet Croft and would be lacking the Histon first XI players who were busy losing at Darlington as they slide further towards relegation from the Blue Square Premier Division. However, they got quite a shock and were forced to put on a spirited comeback for the crowd that endured the cold to win 5-3.

Everything seemed to be going to plan when Wardley put them ahead from the spot within the first few minutes - though manager Peter Betts admitted to be later that his side 'thought they were in for an easy ride' after going ahead. The equaliser was unavoidable - although the play that led to the corner leading to it seemed to go offside, Eugene Libertucci's finish was sublime and unfortunate for the hosts. However, the two defensive howlers that followed were certainly avoidable.

Wardley was paired again with Holmes as, although Marcus Hunt did start, it was in the holding midfield role usually filled so capably by Stuart Kingham, who was on the bench. Both were at fault as they failed to clear the pass that Libertucci buried to put Histon ahead, and again were caught wanting just three minutes later. It looked like Daniel Wells had fouled Matt Morrison after the two collided, but Rovers' centre halves made the mistake of stopping play before the whistle, which was only blown after Wells had put the ball into the net and given the visitors a commanding lead. Holmes somewhat redeemed himself by firing in the rebound from a corner to halve the deficit, but Histon were then man-marking Rovers so tightly I could not see the hosts finding a way through.

Fortunately, as has been so often this season, Betts found the right half time pep talk to galvanise his side into an improved second half display. Marc Abbott, who failed to establish himself against Woodbridge, put in a commanding display with frequent brilliant passes. The free kick he fired in for the equaliser was slightly fortuitous as a deflection left Paul Herben tumbling the wrong way, but his play throughout the game was superb and left me in little doubt as to who to name Echo man of the match, with Betts also singling him out for praise to me, saying he was 'influential in everything we did going forward'.

Marcus Hunt looked just as comfortable going forward and was well positioned to put his side ahead after O'Brien fumbled Louis Harper's low pass and Harben only cleared it to the feet of the skipper, and it was Marc Abbott who fired home the final goal after a Maradona moment of skipping past two challengers and firing home from just inside the box. It was a relieving end to the night as Histon looked to steal an undeserved equaliser an ensure extra time on a night that was getting colder and colder and everyone wanted to go home.

Harper, who replaced Callum Harrison at the interval, also had an assured display and could have rivalled Abbott for the accolade had he started the game. Abbott's passes often left him in space down the right, and he provided a mix of high and low crosses for O'Brien, who in another game will probably score a hat-trick from these chances. Though not the best finisher, as proved by two spurned chances against Woodbridge, the winger is doing well to make chances for others and will no doubt have numerous assists to his name before the season is up.

It was the sort of second half display that Rovers will need if they are to compete at the high echelons of the league this season - something Betts has every confidence that they can. I have already seen them do this in several games, and Betts clearly has the right words to say at half time and enough players and options to be unpredictable and beat any opponent this division can hand the side. Rovers have now won seven successive league games, and Betts said: "If we can get two more wins from our next two games we will be there or there abouts and above Wroxham."

They are also now through to the semi-finals of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup, and CRC's win over Cambridge City leaves just them, Mildenhall Town and March Town Utd as Rovers' only other competitors in the tournament - all teams in the same division or lower, giving Rovers a good chance of winning the trophy. The semi final will be on February 22, with the opponents not yet announced.

On Saturday Rovers travel to FC Clacton to face a side on the back of consecutive wins, and a side that has 'picked up and signed some good players' recently, according to Betts. However, Rovers are unstoppable at the moment, even without the talismanic Cogger. With a full squad available, they should be back to a central defensive partnership that leaks less than a goal a game, instead of one that leaks three inside 15 minutes, while thier midfield should be full of goal scoring opportunities for both themselves and O'Brien up front. Winning is a good habit, and one Rovers show no sign of breaking.

Will Dan return to Rovers?

Emmanuel means 'God is with is' - it seems ironic considering Haverhill Rovers' latest revelation is no longer with them. The tricky winger has been in great form since arriving from AFC Sudbury - his tricks and skills down the channels saw him ease past fullbacks and centre halves, and it was a rather damning indictment of the team that within his first two games he was already joint top scorer.

It had looked like a great signing by manager Peter Betts - he was struggling to make the grade for the Ryman Division One North side and came to Rovers quietly confident of making the starting XI regularly. Haverhill already had a solid defensive foundation, but lacked that little bit of midfield creativity needed to break down opponents and seal the extra points. Emmanuel, coupled with the fresh form of Marc Abbott and clinical Dalton O'Brien, seemed to provide that.

How he was missed at New Croft on Saturday. Marc Abbott was serving the last of his three game ban, and Rovers really were lacking in midfield creativity. Debenham LC, who were bottom of the Ridgeons Premier League and no doubt low on confidence, came to face a Rovers side who were unbeaten in 11 games and had already eased past them 3-0 in the FA Vase earlier in the campaign. But this was a different game entirely.

Right from the off Rovers seemed to lack innovation and urgency. It was a rather dull first half, and though it was fairly equal you could not begrudge Debenham their lead at the break. Rovers came out strong immediately after the break in search of an equaliser, but after the initial pressure had been soaked up it looked unlikely. Time and again they were hit on the counter as Debenham found themselves unlucky not to be further ahead. Rovers were slow to get back when they were hit on the counter - at one stage O'Brien was showing the most urgency as Debenham kept failing to finish their chances.

The break through finally came when captain Marcus Hunt managed to tap in Louis Harper's free kick, but Rovers failed to defend that for a point. Even O'Brien looked indecisive as he fumbled his way around the six yard line instead of turning to shoot, and when Matt Clarke was felled players were too busy screaming for a penalty instead of rushing back to defend the killer blow as James Heathcote scored to snatch the points late on.

The combined absence of Marc Abbott and Emmanuel was noticable, and even more frustrating in the knowledge that the latter was scoring to win a man of the match performance in Sudbury as they thrashed Hendon 5-1 to advance in the FA Trophy. Betts spoke of how he did not want to hold the player back and that Rovers are keen to provide opportunities, especially for young players, to further their careers at the highest level.

But is this really right? Or is Emmanuel disrespecting the club? He did drop down a division but to a mid table side, and now he has his confidence back and has found a good run of form, has returned back to where he came from now he feels he can make the starting XI. Betts inserted him into Rovers' side and he has become an important part of their recent good form, but by going back to Sudbury so quickly it does seem rather disrespectful. The viewpoint certainly leaves Betts in the dilemma of wanting to see one of his players success (and therefore remain and Sudbury) and wanting him to struggle (and therefore possibly return to Rovers).

The official line is that he has gone to Sudbury for a one month loan, but it is unknown if he will return. And if his current form continues and he is consistently getting picked for Sudbury, why would he? He seems to have used Rovers as a short step to success at a higher level, with success at New Croft a springboard to get back into the Sudbury side.

Betts has said the 'door will remain open' for him - but will he walk through it? Emmanuel was a great player and really made an attacking difference for Rovers - his game seemed above that of his opponents and an extra goal threat at a side that struggles for creativity in the absence of a few is always an asset. Hopefully it is just a one month loan and he will return to New Croft, but Rovers certainly need to acquire more attacking talent.

Betts has spoken about trying to sign a new attacking midfield player - an asset much needed to deputise in Marc Abbott's evidence on Saturday's evidence. Paul Abbott will return before Saturday, as will Greg Strong, and attacking options from full back will be appreciated. I blogged about how Rovers seem to struggle when they are the favourites instead of the underdogs - a view reinforced on Saturday - though hopefully they will thrive in the underdog role again in their next two fixtures.

Games against league leaders Dereham Town and CRC do not offer the ideal opportunity to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to the basement club, but Rovers should still be quietly confident going into these games. They will be tested, and they will have to be more creative up front and remain compact at the back, but they have triumphed against top sides before - they were unfortunate to come unstuck at Leiston in the FA Vase and last season should have snatched a win against table toppers Needham Market. These two fixtures may present just the opportunity for Betts to inspire the team to achieve their potential again.