High flying start banishes bad memories

It seems like only recently that Haverhill Hockey Club were on the wrong end of a thrashing every week and captain Tina Bunch was bemoaning that they had 'forgotten how to win'. After struggling to survive in the East Women's League Division Two Division NW in the 2009-10 season they were duly relegated from Division Two NE following a regional reshuffle before the 2010-11 campaign. The year before had seen a last-gasp winner ensure their survival - and that only after another team withdrew from the league, nullifying other results - yet the romance was absent at the second attempt as Haverhill were relegated before the season's conclusion. It was certainly a dispiriting time as the endless battle to avoid relegation was finally lost and Haverhill were condemned to the Suffolk Premier League.

How spirits have changed since then. Now Haverhill have gone from being the whipping boys (or girls, even) to being the whippers themselves. Their record so far reads played six, won six, scored 34 and conceded six - so, on average, for every goal they concede, they score 5.6. Haverhill top the table with a three point lead and a game in hand over second placed Bury St Edmunds II. Not a bad start for a team deflated by the loss of relegation, and the season had barely begun when Bunch was brashly proclaiming that she expected her team to finish as champions.

Yet as the season unfolds - we are now almost a third of the way through (six games played of 20) - it seems that those ambitions were not naive, and that Haverhill could be confirmed as champions this season sooner than they were confirmed as relegated last season. They began with a comprehensive 6-2 rout of Bury St Edmunds II (September 17) and have continued in similar form, labouring to a 4-3 win at Ipswich IV (September 24) before enjoying their most comfortable win yet, sticking 11 past a sorry Christchurch II outfit (October 1). After a week off they crushed Felixstowe 4-1 (October 15), 'struggled' to a 4-0 win at Ipswich-based Castaways (October 22) before thumping Lowestoft II 5-0 (October 29). Saturday's (November 5) game is off as fourth-placed Harwich and Dovercourt are unable to field more than six players, meaning Haverhill are awarded a 3-0 win as a home walkover - the only disappointment being that they probably would have won by more than three had the two teams met.

It has been a winning start that has been transformed into the winning season Bunch was hoping for and expecting. The skipper has even been critical of her side's performance after winning 4-0 (at Castways), calling for them to improve further - something that seems a far cry from last season. It seems no team in this division has provided serious competition for Haverhill this season, which brings into question the quality of the league. After all, how can a team losing heavily each week suddenly become the team inflicting rout after rout? Is the drop in quality so great that the EML's basement side can become a completely dominating presence in the Suffolk league? It is a worry, as if this is the case it may see Haverhill back to where they were last season - if they become accustomed to playing such poor opposition, then there is a chance that standards will drop and, when they are (seemingly inevitably) promoted back to the EML, that they will not be prepared for the rise in standards and be unable to deal with the vastly superior teams. I have put this to Bunch on several occasions, but she does not seem too concerned.

That is because she takes the more optimistic view - that her side have become better, and not merely that the competition have got worse. Clearly there is a strength in depth that was lacking last season - after all, it is not merely Bunch's team that are cruising to promotion, but Haverhill II have also launched a perfect start in Suffolk Division One, their 3-0 win over Bury St Edmunds III on Saturday, October 29, (pictured here) the latest of their five successive wins, scoring 16 goals (3.2 per game) and conceding five in the process as they approach the half-way stage of their seven-strong league (seven games remaining). Their results have often been tighter - beating Grasshoppers II 2-0 (September 17), Lowestoft III 1-0 (September 24), Sudbury III 4-2 (October 1) and Ipswich V 6-3 (October 8) - but they still have a perfect start, and clearly a large pool of talent is available if Haverhill can field two teams capable of bossing their respective divisions.

Bunch's team also seems to have been boosted by the returns of absentees who had been away at university, injured or for maternity reasons, and now they are looking and increasingly strong outfit, scoring from all over the pitch rather than struggling to score from anywhere. Vicky Haylock and Mandy Williamson are both regularly getting on the scoresheet, and Bunch herself is frequently finding the net often too. Many players names are cropping up in relation to strong performances and scoring goals, such as assists from Jane Farrow and Jenni Bradnam and good displays from Kim Thomas and Helen Salter.

Among the second XI, Cara Ainsworth and Emma Hilson seem to be regularly among the goals, while Kate Ellis and Lisa Smith have performed well between the posts, and the strength of that side, with players struggling to force a way into the first XI, is a testament to the depth of talent now available. Bunch has said that players will get opportunities in the first XI, but at present there is clearly no need to disrupt two winning formulas. Availability continues to be good, despite there being just 12 players at the Lowestoft II game - last season saw a struggle to even field a second XI.

Things are looking good for both teams, though perhaps we will have to wait until next season to see if their successes can be attributed to improvement or deterioration of the competition. I think it is probably a combination of the two - the Suffolk leagues clearly are lower quality, but at the same time Haverhill have improved markedly from last term. Availability alone improves a squad, giving coach and captain more options to prove from. Both sides have acquired a sense of youthfulness, and both are clearly enjoying their winning ways. While the opponents may be worse, it can still be difficult to reverse a losing mentality into a winning one, and that has been achieved emphatically. Both Haverhill sides should assure promotion before the end of their campaigns, and if both can keep their squads intact, should offer a strong challenge when they do take the step up a division.

Rusty Rovers need rest to recuperate

It has been over two months since I last blogged - and how things have changed. In that piece I spoke about how well Haverhill Rovers had started the campaign and, despite an indifferent pre-season, were playing some good football and enjoying some comprehensive victory - this written after the 5-1 drubbing of Ely City. Since then, however, things deteriorated quickly, and Rovers have picked up just one league win - 3-2 at CRC two games later - and suffered five league defeats, including the 3-0 home drubbing by Brantham Athletic on October 15 (pictured here), a team they 'cut to shreds' with a 3-2 FA Cup win little over a month before, and three draws. There has been some cup consolation - reaching the quarter finals of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup and the Suffolk Cup (where they will play Mildenhall Town in January) and the last 16 of the Ridgeons League Cup - but they have still exited the FA Cup following their 1-0 loss at King's Lynn Town, and more recently crashed out of the FA Vase to the same scoreline at Felixstowe and Walton United on Saturday (October 22).

I have not been able to attend the New Croft much lately - I was at the 5-1 FA Vase thumping of Norwich United, but since have only been to the 3-1 Ridgeons League Cup win against CUP on Tuesday from which to draw my latest conclusions about the team. Firstly, and what was noticeable on the team sheet and the pitch, is that this was a squad ravaged by injuries, suspensions and availability. Nowhere was this more evident than at the back of the park, as Rovers have been struggling to find any centre-halves lately. Marcus Hunt was available, and composed as usual at the back, although Adam Dellar, Sam Holmes and Ryan Geoghegan were all absent through injury, while Stuart Wardley began the first of a four-match ban for a ludicrous sending off in the 4-3 loss at Ely. Also missing was captain Paul Abbott, leaving Hunt to be partnered at the back by midfield bruiser Stuart Kingham and flanked by the newly promoted Cobi Guyon and the ever-reliable Greg Strong.

This uncertainty in defence was evident - Rovers started much the better team, but soon fell behind against the run of play and were then on the back foot. Kingham looked unfamiliar as a centre half and provided some tantalising opportunities for Jordan McDermott and Anthony Blandford in the CUP attack, with Hunt having to come to the rescue. Strong and Guyon looked good at the back and surging forward, but the unfamiliarity throughout the back four was clear. CUP hit the post when a goal ahead and squandered a number of good chances, and the Ridgeons Division One outfit could perhaps count themselves unfortunate to not at least force extra time.

The midfield was a little more composed and usual, despite the absence of several key players. Joe Boreham and Jamie Challis both looked comfortable in the middle, but both are the same fit - a holding midfielder. Neither has the creativity or the inclination to surge forward or pick out a pass, and they provided little penetration to the team, something illustrated when Louis Harper's introduction for Boreham at the interval provided a fresh impetus. That central creativity has often this season come from Joe Harvey, who is absent through a broken toe but expected to return for Rovers' next game at Diss Town on November 5. I never understood why manager Peter Betts rated the midfielder so highly when he returned last season, but with his pre-season goal haul this year and a fine run of form, that faith was beginning to be justified. Another key and noticeable absentee is Marc Abbott, who looks likely to be out until the New Year after breaking his leg. He set the bar high last season and failed to perform at that level consistently, but on his day is one of the finest midfielders in the division. In terms of creativity, Wardley's raking accurate passes to set up attacks were missed on Tuesday, though fortunately his absence is not long term.

Down the flanks though Rovers are still looking strong. Greg Strong and Paul Abbott are offering thrust from the back, and both interchange nicely with respective wingers Jack Wilkinson and Harry Halls. Wilkinson's return is a big plus for the club, as at one stage it looked like he may remain at parent club Needham Market after returning there to help ease their own injury crisis recently. He has looked increasingly accomplished since his arrival, another shrewd loan signing by Betts, and has grown in stature. He put in a man-of-the-match performance against CUP, created a number of good goal scoring chances, was confident in taking shots from range and composed to convert the penalty. On the opposite side, Harry Halls had been one of the season's revelations with his fine start, but had been absent lately through injury. He showed signs of returning to that form - which Marc Abbott proved last season is not easy - but if he can excel, then he will be another fine home-grown product.

There is also a fine selection of youth coming through - Cobi Guyon has done well since his promotion to the first XI, while Luke Youngs, Haverhill Cricket Club wicketkeeper and son of captain Simon, had a fine, albeit brief debut, combining with Wilkinson to set up Scott Lodge for Rovers' third. There has been much shuffling between the sticks - Alex Archer, who looked good but somewhat uncomfortable when dealing with corners and free kicks, returns to parent club Peterborugh United, Joe Harrington's brief stay ended when he was offered a trial at Ipswich Town and second-choice stopper Jamie Greygoose departed for Great Yarmouth Town. Luke Howard has looked an able goalkeeper since his introduction, although perhaps he could have done more than palm Tony Beck's deflected shot into the path of McDermott for CUP's goal, and hopefully he will remain throughout the campaign and become more settled and assured.

Things are still looking promising in the final third though, especially with Shaun Banham's return. I never held the centre forward in much high regard from what little I saw of him at Hamlet Croft before he left at the end of the 2009-10 campaign, where it seemed he got into the side more on merit of being better than Martin Westcott than being outstanding himself. I saw him squander a number of opportunities and thought Rovers would be scoring many more goals with a more clinical presence upfront. However, since returning he has scored and won penalties in both games, so is clearly an able - and improved - striker that is a welcome addition to what becomes a worryingly thin squad when hit by a number of injuries. Increased precision up front has been provided by Lodge and Dan Cornwell, who have both had fantastic starts to their Rovers careers and can hopefully maintain that path - however, the worry is that Rovers could be left short by injury to either two, or either could be snatched away if they prove to be a success.

So, it has been a difficult few weeks for Rovers, but there are signs that they may be beginning to turn around. Sam Holmes, Paul Abbott, Cornwell, Harvey, Adam Dellar and Geoghegan should all return for their next game at Diss Town, leaving only Marc Abbott and Wardley missing the next few games. At full strength they are a force to be reckoned with, and it seems unfortunate that they have recently been hampered by not only injuries to key personnel, but also some poor refereeing decisions against them. Confidence comes and goes in football with results, and going into this respite on the back of a win, albeit against lower-league opposition in a cup, could prove just the catalyst to igniting a good run. This time least year they enjoyed a seven-game winning run and an 11-game unbeaten run, and a string of victories could come just as quickly as this recent run of defeats. Hopefully they will, and Rovers can begin to ascend the table and book their place in another cup final.

Rovers enjoy an Ely good start to the season

Twelve goals in three games is not something you would expect to hear said about Haverhill Rovers, but their recent thumpings to bounce back from their opening day defeat in Gorleston stand as a testament to both the mentality of the side and the attacking talent that manager Peter Betts has finally added to what was previously a solid but blunt side. Last season and the one before it, games were, all too often, painful to watch as Rovers would either toil to get a goal or struggle to defend a slender lead that should have been much more. Last season they enjoyed a strong midfield, albeit lacking in pace and width, and one of the strongest defences in the league. However, their problems were evident upfront as Dalton O'Brien always looked better at holding the ball up rather than putting it in the net and Peter Betts' favoured 4-5-1 approach was never set up to suit Owen Paynter. The lack of attacking quality was never more evident than when they crashed to a 2-0 defeat in the final of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium, John Sands pouncing twice in quick succession to illustrate the difference in class.

Now though it would appear that Rovers have successfully addressed their attacking deficiencies. Scott Lodge and Dan Cornwell are both fine additions to the side and have been firing home goals for fun lately, but what is perhaps more exciting is that Rovers' goals are coming not just from these two, but from other players as well. Betts has already spoken about his high expectations, and how he thinks they can bag between 15 to 20 goals each at Ridgeons Premier League level, and looking at last season's poor goal scoring form that could propel them significantly up the table and solve their striking woes.

However, it is perhaps up front where the biggest problems also remain, as a cursory glance at the substitute's bench reveals a lack of alternatives should the pair be unfit or unavailable. Betts has already said he will not play 4-4-2 with both each game, and going 4-5-1 he does have a variety of option to go 'in the hole' or supporting striker role, but there are no other out-and-out centre-forwards at the New Croft. Owen Paynter has signed for Mildenhall Town, Callum Harrison has gone to Long Melford, Dalton O'Brien has had to return home to St Neots for personal reasons and Craig Cutts, who never managed to consistently perform at this level anyway, has dropped down to step seven and the Kershaw Premier League. So while the front two may be fit and firing together at the moment, it is a worry who should replace them should injury take its toll later in the campaign.

On a more positive note though, the goals are coming in from across the park now. The midfield is looking ever stronger, despite their being few additions of note - rather it is strengthened by improvements of players already at the club. Harry Halls has been a revelation, both in terms of pace and finishing - he put Rovers ahead with an audacious finish in the 3-0 thumping of Walsham-le-Willows in their first home game of the season, and he again found the net in the 5-1 rout of Ely City and was instrumental in setting up the final strike as well. Another player that has improved immensely over the close-season is Joe Harvey - I saw little of him that impressed me last season, but Betts always insisted that he is a brilliant midfield player since he re-joined. Now he is starting to achieve that expectation, with a good goal haul pre-season and some strong performances so far 'in the hole', almost playing as a striker at time, and will no doubt continue scoring throughout the season.

Jamie Challis is looking strong in the holding role. Another player who I found unimpressive since following Rovers, he still fails to be spectacular but is becoming increasingly able and impressive in his position, but tackles in and setting up play again with short passes. It is a testament to his improvement that he is keeping last season's quintessential midfield bruiser Stuart Kingham out of the starting XI, but following an unimpressive performance from him Betts has no excuse to break up a side on a hat-trick of victories with the two New Croft wins surrounding the 4-1 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round win over Stowmarket Town.

Another player that has been struggling to force his way into the starting XI again is Marc Abbott - he blew hot and cold last season, showing moments of brilliance but also games of obscurity, and his form dipped towards the end of the campaign from the high standards he had set himself. He was needlessly sent off in pre-season to condemn Rovers to their second 2-0 defeat by Needham Market in as many years, and has not featured often since. He will have to be performing at his best consistently - and Betts has said that on his day he is among the best in the division - to return to the starting XI. Louis Harper will also have to seize the opportunities presented for himself to try and become a regular starter, and with a long season ahead opportunities are sure to arrive. The variety of options now provide Betts with a nice selection problem to have.

One new arrival in the centre of the park that has impressed is Jack Wilkinson. Now Betts has decided, in my opinion wisely, to play the 19-year-old at left-wing and Greg Strong at left-back, the side looks to have a new found pace and thrust out wide that has been lacking since Dan Emmanuel's brief stay at New Croft. Wilkinson is pushing forward, and also showed a calmness to finish against Ely last Tuesday (August 23). Midfield certainly looks a strong prospect at the moment, especially considering both Jack Higgs and Joe Boreham are due to return to action soon to provide further competition for places. It is questionable whether Neil Cogger will ever fully return, especially to his prime, but he would provide a further welcome boost, and the current squad strength would reduce the burden on how often he would play.

At the back, the side still looks as strong as ever, especially if the defensive line-up can remain uninterrupted. Dan Pilcher is the only notable player to have departed, though Rovers seem more than capable of covering that loss. Wilkinson is capable of filling in at left-back, though Strong continues to hold down that place with consistently good performances both defending and attacking. On the other side of the pitch, Paul Abbott continues to put in strong performances following his elevation to captain. He was knocked out in Rovers' rout of Ely, but the emergence of Ryan Geohagen, who looks equally capable as full-back and centre-half, and even when pushed further up the pitch, is another plus for Rovers.

In the middle of defence, Stuart Wardley and Marcus Hunt continue to show composure and forge a strong partnership. Hunt, who won Echo player of the season last year, has not dipped since choosing to relinquish the captaincy, though was perhaps a bit rash in conceding a penalty against Ely. Both also showed their finishing skills with a goal apiece in that game, and can be relied upon for several goals a season. Last year saw their partnership secure one of the best defensive records in the division until the late-season collapse following injuries disrupting the side, and if they can stay together again they look set to continue that.

Wardley, the fans' player of the season, has affirmed his commitment to Rovers by spurning the advances of AFC Sudbury and instead choosing to stay on a smaller pay packet at the New Croft. He has spoken of his involvement in the side, how he enjoys Betts' style of football (a testament to what the manager is trying to build) and said that it would take 'a very good offer' to get him to leave Rovers. Defence then looks equally well covered, especially considering Sam Holmes is set to return soon.

The only other area of concern is between the sticks. Alex Archer looks a very capable goalkeeper, and showed nerve to save Ely's penalty, and hopefully he will remain at the club throughout the season with Jamie Greygoose deputising, though the latter is the necessary choice for FA Cup matches due to Rovers' loan agreement with Peterborough United. Liam Cutts, who looked increasingly capable as Matt Morrison was frozen out of the side, has left, along with Morrison, while Joe Harrington barley had chance to impress during his short stint, but has clearly got potential to be trialled by Ipswich Town.

Still, this Rovers side is certainly the strongest looking I have seen in my time here. Betts has spoken about the need for consistency now after Ely 'set the standard' for the tempo they should be playing at. Kirkley and Pakefield will set a sterner test on Saturday (August 27), as will a trip to CRC the following Wednesday (August 31) with Cambridge United's first XI not in action mid-week. However, the focus now is on Brantham Athletic on September 3, home to last year's Ridgeons Premier top scorer Ollie Mann, with victory against them bringing an FA Cup First Round Qualifying game against either one of UCL Premier Division sides King's Lynn Town or Soham Town Rangers. If Rovers can maintain their blistering start to the season with goals galore and few conceded, then there is no reason why they cannot maintain that sort of form and aim for a top four finish - perhaps even promotion? The challenge will come in maintaining that throughout the campaign as injuries and suspensions take their toll, but Betts certainly has a stronger and deeper squad to handle those pressures than he did last season.

My full interviews with Betts and Wardley are in today's (Thursday, August 25) Echo.

Three Peaks Challenge

Hiking 26 miles up almost 1,200 ft of mountain, driving close to 900 miles, surviving almost exclusively on chocolate and just two hours sleep, all in 24 hours – it’s hard to choose the most discomforting, but all were worth enduring, simultaneously, to achieve the coveted self-proclaimed title of Three Peaks Conqueror.

It was with this determination that myself and fellow fool/brave adventurer Steven Cockburn, 24, from Cheshire, set off to achieve the goal on May 29, largely spurred on by our failure to do so eight months earlier. That time, poor timing had seen us make the error of attempting to climb one of the mountains in the dark, which resulted in us getting lost and being forced to abort.

This time, the plan was much clearer – we would leave my second home of Cheshire at 10am, arriving to start the tallest of the peaks, Ben Nevis, in the Scottish Highlands, at 5pm. We would leave there at 10pm, just before sunset, arriving at the second, Cumbria’s Scafell Pike, at 4am. Completing that in four hours would give us five hours to reach Snowdon and four hours to do the hike and make our 24 hour target.

The quest began well, as we reached Fort William around 4.15pm, giving us time to enjoy a McDonald’s before pulling up by the mountain. At 4,409 ft high, Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in Britain, and with the ten mile walk starting from almost sea level is also the furthest hike.

The route first ascends steeply up a hill, and then around the corner where the view of the mountain and a loch come into view. It then ascends into the cloud, where we were greeted with increasing bemusement from people about us wearing shorts, warning us about the snow, gales force winds and minus 15 temperatures at the summit.

The snow did come, as did the hale and strong winds, but we persevered, and my poncho did a surprisingly good job of keeping me warm. After touching the summit and having a sip of champagne from two women attempting the same challenge – because of the times of day of the first two times, most people were met were all attempting the same challenge.

We began to descend and gradually get feeling back into our fingers. We did get a little lost taking the wrong route at the bottom, but followed the river to reach the car by 10.20pm.

The drive to Scafell Pike was long – I did the first half, snaking through the Highland roads and pouring rain, though I was glad we had only had light showers on the climb and not the heavy rain we drove through. As the car radio battled to find a signal, we were consigned to BBC Radio 4, which abandoned us to BBC World Service at around 1am.

Steve did the remaining half of the drive, snaking through the hairpin turns and blind bridges that lead to the Wasdale Head route up Scafell Pike. When we arrived at 3.45am it was so light we did not need torches. At 3,209 ft high, Scafell Pike is the smallest of the mountains, but certainly the most difficult.

The path first snakes around and up the hillside, all the while with a stream running down it, before disappearing altogether over a large patch of rocks. We found ourselves annoyed to lose the path again, though fortunately not as catastrophically as during our last attempt, and we soon resumed and made good progress. Once in the clouds the path seemed eternal, but we finally reached the top and could start our descent. The way down was hard as the path was steep, slippery and rugged, but once we cleared the mist we were welcomed to a beautiful view of Wastwater and continued to make good time.

I now took up the mantle of driving back to Cheshire (where we got a lift to Snowdon), this time being consigned to Radio 2 for the tricky drive through Cumbria, consisting almost exclusively of single-track lanes and blind hills/bridges followed by hairpin turns. The danger now was that we felt the task was completed – Scafell Pike had been our biggest adversary, and with the that in the bag we perhaps became a little complacent about the 3,560 ft high Snowdon.

We started that hike shortly before 1pm, already at some height on the Miners’ Track, and the first two miles were deceptively flat and smooth. However, things soon got harder – the path started to climb, and then there was almost two miles of steep climbing, mixing hill walking with scrambling.

The path to the summit smoothed off, but we were both drained. Snowdon was the only hike where we could actually see the peak long before reaching it. The train rode past as a tempting reminder for an alternate way down, and we finally had a view of more than just cloud and mist. Unfortunately, this enabled us to see just how far down and away we had to go back, in just under two hours.

The climb down was slow, as it was steep and perilous, but we were careful not to rush. We chatted to a fellow Three Peaks group, who had started an hour ahead of us, so we knew we were making good time.

After clearing the sharp and steep part though we could look forward to the smooth beginning, which enabled us to squeeze the last bit of energy from tired legs and reach the car park 23 hours and 45 minutes after we had set off up Ben Nevis. From there, it was a short drive home to enjoy a proper meal and then the arduous hike up the stairs for two nights’ worth of sleep.

Dream disappears in sinking Sands

They dominated the game for 60 minutes, but in the end Haverhill Rovers' hopes of ending their four year trophy drought were dashed in 60 seconds. That's the difference a top striker makes - Rovers may have lavished possession and felt comfortable enough on a chilly Tuesday night (April 12) at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium, but all of their dominance was unrewarded, and instead it was their wastefulness that was punished. Rovers were the better team, but they were not the winning team and football teams win by scoring goals, not setting the tempo or controlling possession or anything else, and so when the whistle blew it was Mildenhall Town who lifted the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup while Rovers were left on the pitch as the dejected losers.

It was a difficult and frustrating night for Rovers and it is hard to think what they could have done differently with hindsight given their resources. The whole team did well the set the pace of the game and control things from early on, but a few half chances that the attacking trio of Dalton O'Brien, Owen Paynter and Marc Abbott failed to capitalise on was an ominous sign of things to come. Defensively the team was solid, and their opponents certainly did not look like a team that had thumped Rovers 6-0 three weeks earlier. Joe Boreham did an excellent job deputising for the injured Stuart Kingham, who was not as sorely missed as he has been in recent weeks, although the teenager does have more tendencies to surge forward as well as shielding the back four. It was a relief to see manager Peter Betts resist the urge to put captain Marcus Hunt in that role, preferring instead to retain him in his preferred role alongside Stuart Wardley at centre half, and the two always make an imposing obstacle, their primary weakness a lack of pace that can leave to the team being countered against sometimes.

It was this weakness that saw Rovers fall behind. Mildenhall's super-striker John Sands - who had not been too influential up until the hour mark - got through and was hauled down by Wardley outside the box, who was perhaps fortunate to only see yellow. Another blunder, this time from Matt Morrison between the sticks, saw the goalkeeper wrong footed as Sands' unimpressive free kick glided to the side of the wall and into the centre of the goal. I had barely had a chance to scribble down what had happened when, within a minute, left-back James Paterson - who had been Mildenhall's sharpest player with a piledriver over the bar in the opening half - weaved down the left and crossed into the middle for Sands to head home his second. Haverhill Rovers 0, Mildenhall Town 2. All that good work had been for nothing - it almost appeared that Mildenhall had not had to bother, that they just chose their moment to strike and then won at will.

Rovers continued to push but failed to make any real headway. Paul Abbott surged forward down the right and Greg Strong down the left, but all too often by the time the full backs had got their head up to release the ball the space was closed down and the chance lost. Sitting in the stands it was frustrating to watch, but at this level it would be unrealistic to expect players to be able to play with their heads up and the ball at their feet. Abbott and O'Brien had half chances, but never made any real headway. Joe Harvey was a disappointment, and it was no surprise to see him hauled off to be replaced by the energetic Callum Harrison. Owen Paynter was replaced by Craig Cutts, and for all the struggles of the Hundon striker to establish himself at New Croft, he actually set up the best chance of the night, chipping Josh Pope for Higgs to shoot at open goal, only to see his shot hit the head of a Mildenhall defender on the line. The unlikely save summed up Rovers' frustrations on the night, and as the stoppage time minutes ticked away, so did Betts' hopes of having his good work this season rewarded.

When I spoke to Betts the following morning, it was clear the frustration was not so much with the final loss, but as much as it was losing to a team that was effectively second best. Rovers had been on a poor run of form in the Ridgeons Premier League, winless in nine and being doubled by Stanway Rovers and stuttering to a goalless draw against Wroxham. Their form had picked up in doing the league double over Newmarket Town with a second string XI, but they still seemed to have lost form at a pivotal moment of the season. Rovers' ambitions had risen from surviving to unsuccessfully applying for promotion and saying finishing outside of the top four would be a 'disappointment' to accepting a top six finish would be an achievement.

In the preceding weeks the injuries had piled up for Rovers with Neil Cogger and Kingham still missing, along with other players like cricket captain Adam Dellar, who had seen an increasing amount of first XI opportunities, but nevertheless this was a game Rovers were confident of winning. Ultimately, Mildenhall won on the night not because of a better XI, but because of a better one - Sands. A glance at their form from before he joined in the season speaks volumes - after an opening day win they endured an eight game winless run before winning 19 or 29 since, turning them from relegation candidates into pace setters near the top of the table. He has scored 30 goals in 34 games, narrowly eclipsed by Brantham Athletic's Ollie Mann on a reverse of 34 goals from 30 games, though his strikes have only propelled Brantham up to 16th in the table. Rovers will have the chance to tame him and do the double over Brantham when they head there on Saturday (April 16, 3pm kick off).

How Rovers could use such a striker. A cursory glance down the top scorers of the Ridgeons Premier League chart reveals that Rovers do not even get a mention. Wisbech Town are the only other top six side to not feature a striker on the top 12 leader board, while champions Leiston have two in Michael Brothers (17 goals) and Gareth Heath (16 goals). Second placed Wroxham have benefited from Damian Hilton's 16 strikes, while third placed Dereham Town have had ten more from Danny Beaumont and of course Mildenhall have Sands. That is what it takes to compete at the top of the division, and that is what Rovers are lacking.

O'Brien has done a fine job this season, and with ten strikes from 29 games finally gives Rovers someone that will reach double figures, though the fact that centre halves Hunt and Wardley are joint second top scorers with seven apiece is ominous, as is Cutts and Harrison coming after with four each. Dan Emmanuel pops up next after his brief stint, with three goals in five showing Rovers the class they are missing. Clearly what Rovers are missing is a 20-goals-a-season-man, but as with any level of football, from the Ridgeons Premier League to the Barclays Premier League, they are rare and expensive. While O'Brien and Paynter will no doubt provide numerous goals - and hopefully the latter will remain next season - they will not be cutting the imposing figure that Sands did on Tuesday. Despite having a strong contingent of Haverhill born-and-bred players and a young squad, Betts has already said the town is 'not great at producing 6ft 2in forwards', and he will have to shop elsewhere. Given the club's financial position, it is difficult to see where they can acquire such a player when competing against the league's heavyweights.

Their lack of firepower is evident in the league table, where you have to scroll down to Felixstowe and Walton United in 17th to find any team with as low a goals scored ratio (52). Only the bottom four teams in the division have a worse scoring record than Rovers. It is their defensive record (conceded 44) that has seen them climb up to sixth, even if it took a pounding with the thrashings at Mildenhall and Leiston. However, games are won by outscoring the opposition, not by stopping them from scoring (although obviously this is a merit). It echoes back to the troubles of the 2009-10 season in which Rovers would draw or lose games at Hamlet Croft after dominant spells due to a lack of bite up front, leaving them to finish mid-table with the potential to be much higher.

Now Rovers have just five league games remaining, starting at Brantham on Saturday. The players will no doubt remain motivated despite the cup final heartache, and can hopefully finish on a high. Betts talked to me about 'progressing' the club - something he has no doubt done since reviving them from a basement club to a top six side - but now he needs to take the next step, and the obvious hole in his side is a top, top striker. Mildenhall proved what a difference that can make when they lifted the cup that looked like it was heading back to New Croft for an hour on Tuesday, and now Rovers need to find their own Sands to keep competing at the top of the league and lift their first trophy since the 2007 3-1 triumph over Saffron Walden in the final of the Ridgeons Division One Knock-Out Cup. If Rovers could find someone to provide them with those extra goals, and if they submit their promotion application on time next season, then perhaps Betts' ambition of seeing Rovers departing the Ridgeons League for the Ryman League may be realised sooner than anyone expects.

Que Sera Sera

Well they may not have reached Wembley, but Haverhill Rovers will still have the chance to lift a trophy at Abbey Stadium for the first time in several years. The fact that captain Marcus Hunt can no longer assume he will be on the pitch to kiss the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup (should Rovers defeat Mildenhall Town in the final of course) further shows just how far the squad have come in terms of developing depth. Rovers were far from their fluid best as they eased to a 2-0 victory over March Town United at New Croft on Tuesday (February 22), but they certainly had enough to beat their Ridgeons Division One opponents in what seemed like a training game.

The first surprise for me on Tuesday was to see Hunt in the reserves with Sam Holmes joining Stuart Wardley at centre half. When I spoke to manager Peter Betts yesterday (Wednesday, February 23) morning, he explained that Hunt had missed two of the last three games, and as Holmes had been playing well in his absence, he would keep the shirt. 'Nobody is guaranteed a place in this team, not even the captain', he said. Despite his absence, coupled with the loss of players including Joe Harvey, Neil Cogger and Joe Boreham, it was a comfortable enough night for Rovers.

From early on in Tuesday's game the visitors did what was expected - made themselves hard to break down, got stuck in and tried to counter against Rovers. The hosts had to be patients, but there was little doubt they would fail to make the break through, despite some frustrating moments such as Dalton O'Brien weaving in and hitting the underside of the crossbar. The striker, who has been a revelation since joining Rovers, soon but Betts' side ahead with a cool finish after Jack Higgs, another fine addition to the team who is proving more of capable of deputising in Cogger's absence and threatening to keep the wing wizard out of the first XI, sent in a measured low cross from the left byline.

Chances were not at a premium but March never serioulsy threatened, their best chance coming when Juliano Gomez de Menezes rounded Michael Morrison only for the ball to get away from him and go out for a goal kick with the score still at 1-0. Owen Paynter, who I was watching for the first time, did do well to make space and chance for others but was not the lethal force in front of goal I was expecting. His flick on that drifted wide of the far post was as good as it got chance-wise, but Betts did say 'he did everything right but score'. His selflessness paid off when he held the ball up in the area to force a foul, with the reliable Wardley on target to fire home past Lee Brooks to seal the win.

The only drawback from Paynter's arrival is that O'Brien has been pushed onto the right wing to accommodate him. It is a tricky dilemma - a player of his quality must start, but O'Brien has been prolific all season. Rovers have been successful throughout this league campaign playing 4-5-1, so switching to 4-4-2 to put both in their preferred positions would be ill conceived, but it still seems unfortunate that O'Brien is now playing right wing while wide players like Louis Harper are benched, while Paynter takes O'Brien's favoured lone striker spot, especially as he looked the more likely to score of the two on Tuesday. No doubt Paynter will come good, and even if he does not regularly find himself on the scoresheet he looks like his play will continue to ensure that his team mates do.

When I spoke to Betts, he said they were just 'two players short' of being able to climb out of the Ridgeons Premier League and join nearby AFC Sudbury in Ryman North League. Who those players are or what positions they would fill he has not said, but judging by the team's latest transfer success I would not be surprised if Betts found and signed them. "This time last year we had 13 or 14 players who could play at this level, and now we have 20", he added, again reinforced by Rovers results with numerous absentees. He also said the upcoming final may attract more sponsorship for Rovers, something he appealed for recently.

With Cogger due to return imminently (within a week), Boreham soon fit again and Harvey getting experience quickly, Rovers will soon boast an even more competitive squad. Added to this was Haverhill Cricket Club captain Adam Dellar making his debut at centre half - the first Haverhill man to play for both Rovers and the cricket team for well over a decade. Betts has only positive things to say about Dellar, who has excelled in the reserves to force his way into the first XI.

I asked Betts if he thought being in a cup final may lead to complacency, but quite the opposite he said it would inspire the team to perform. Each player now knows their performances will contribute to earning themselves a place in the starting XI on cup final day. Rovers should have a full strength squad to face Mildenhall Town by then, who, in fifth place and on the back of five consecutive wins, are one of the form teams of the division. However, much can chance in two months (the final is likely to be midweek in the final week of April - Tuesday 26?), and hopefully there will be a positive change for Rovers.

Rovers have not fared terribly well against the top sides - despite beating Mildenhall already and drawing 0-0 with then league leaders Kirkley and Pakefield in September, Rovers have lost to Dereham and Leiston (twice). However, they have not been comprehensively outplayed, suffering a narrow reverse in all of those games, and confidence must be high heading towards the game.

Before then Rovers travel to now seventh placed Kirkley on Saturday - Betts' insistence that three points are demanded, mainly to compensate for the two dropped at home against Great Yarmouth Town earlier this month, is a sign of just how far Rovers have come. The familiar 'we need to make ourselves hard to play against' is still being recited, but in reality Rovers are going into games like this confident of not just beating their opponents, but outplaying them with a better man-for-man squad. When I spoke to Betts before the game, he said their play 'deserved' a cup final, but that you 'do not always get what you deserve'. Now Rovers have got what they deserve, and hopefully Betts will be right in predicting his players will up their performances as they audition to be in the starting XI for the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup final. If they do, three points at Kirkley this Saturday (February 26) is easily achievable, as is the club's first cup for a long time. Long term, Betts may even realise his ambition of moving Rovers up through the non league structure if his good work at New Croft continues.

Down and out

And so the sad story of Haverhill Rugby Club's trouble fraught debut campaign in the Greene King IPA Eastern Counties Division One came to a sorry end last week and the club chose to exit the division. Having found just eight players prepared to make the trip to fellow promoted side Harwich and Dovercourt last Saturday (February 12) for a fixture they won comfortable last year, those running the club thought it best to follow Fakenham's example and opt out of the league before being booted out, and the full consequences of that decision are still unclear.

Where will Haverhill Rugby Club be playing next season? According the Eastern Counties (EC) league, it certainly will not be in one of their divisions. Club chair Ian Forton was crystal clear in explaining to me that any team that chooses to end their EC season prematurely - including Fakenham as well - will not be allowed to play in another EC league next season. The official suggestion from them is that Haverhill should look to compete in the Suffolk Merit League, albeit with Haverhill having to shed the glory and play against second XVs where they previously played first VXs, though at least the shorter journeys and easier games may increase the squad numbers for the senior team. The idea would then be that Haverhill can regroup, and if they can prove to the EC that they can fulfil their fixtures and raise a squad, they can compete in the EC leagues again from 2012-13.

However, the club's understanding seems to be different from that of the EC. Chairman Chris Spencer explained that they had received conflicting advice from the EC and the league secretary, with the latter telling them dropping out would be more beneficial than being expelled. Forton told me that expelled clubs would face a four to five year wait to return to the EC leagues whereas clubs that voluntarily left could return after one season in exile, so the point would still hold true. However, the idea coming from the club is that by exiting they had hoped to return to EC Two next year, not spend a year in the wilderness before then. The club certainly would have been expelled had they submitted to another home walk over after failing to field sides at West Norfolk (on September 25) and Woodbridge (on November 13) this season.

Has there been a mix up or misunderstanding? As yet it's unclear. Spencer told me the club are hoping to meet with an EC representative within the week to discuss their position, and only then will the situation be fully understood. However, Forton was quite clear in telling me that the league's position was that Haverhill will not be an EC team next season, so it would be a surprise to see that view contratdicted.

As for the club's immediate future, that certainly appears to be secure, as Spencer was keen to stress to me. "The future holds a speedy return to competitive rugby and a healthy and flourishing rugby club in Haverhill", he said when I spoke to him for this week's Haverhill Echo (our tomorrow, Thursday, February 17). "This is not the death of the club - we have a thriving junior and youth section, and so this is only about the senior section, so it in no way affects the long term future of the club", he added. First XV coach Andy Price certainly seemed to place a long term future hope on developing players, and Spencer also added that there are numerous promising young players coming through the system that will soon be complementing the first XV.

But saying it is 'only about the senior team' somewhat negates the point that any club's flagship team is its senior side - Haverhill does still have a strong youth section, but ultimately everything should be in place to build up to the senior side, which has been a disappointment this season. They opened with a 74-0 thrashing at high flying Southwold, and things have not improved much since. It was the third game of the season when Haverhill first failed to raise a side, and two narrow defeats (6-3 by Holt and 18-14 by Ely) and a comfortable victory (25-6 at Fakenham, which was later expunged). League leaders Stowmarket reached triple figures when they thrashed Haverhill (104-6), and then they again failed to field a team.

Further thrashings followed in January including at Ely (60-5) and Holt (97-0) as Price appealed for players to bolster the team, to little avail, and Haverhill finally exited the league last week, their spirited home defeat by Stowmarket (33-12) transpiring to be their last game in EC One. The outcome perhaps would have been sooner had it not been for the postponed cancelled fixtures in December. Price told me in recent weeks about how he was using inexperience, retired and injured players, and that the aim had turned from surviving into having fun. Some senior players came to the aid of the club, with Paul Bergin saying it was their 'responsibility' to keep the club going for the younger generations, though operating on a shoestring squad was inevitable going to lead to one thing.

Price said the situation 'leaves us where I thought we would be anyway'. He added: "We were living on borrowed time, as when you only have 18 to 20 players available you can't rest people, and you end up playing people when they need to be rested, so when they have a minor injury they play and that compounds the problem. We only needed a few injuries and unavailability for this to happen." The coach said that he knew EC One would be a 'tough challenge', but said it was one he was 'totally confident of meeting'. Now he has been robbed of that opportunity, both to establish Haverhill as an EC One side and to prove himself as a coach at a higher level.

Will Price stay at Haverhill? It's too early to say, but nobody could blame him for leaving. If a coach can ask for anything from a group of players then its likely to be commitment and effort, something that has been lacking so much it has ruined Haverhill's season. The club was optimistic after promotion last year, finishing just behind Harwich in a close fought title race that placed the top two well ahead of the pack in EC Two. The current problems had not surfaced, and Price, who had promised to get the club promoted within three years, had achieved that goal in two. Now the club looks likely to spend a season in limbo, he may well choose to go to a club with a more clearly defined target that is resourced to achieve it, though Spencer said the club would be keen to retain Price.

But then came all the problems of availability, which seems bizarre considering how well the team did last season. It may have been travelling further and longer, harder games, the loss of a winning mentality - only those players that would not make the effort to play will know. Although Price foresaw the imminent exit of the club from the league, he certainly did not see player availability becoming the issue it has. "I thought we'd have two teams and competitions for places, but that has obviously not come to be", he said. Price had previously slammed the commitment of certain players, hoping to get more available and find new players, but it had little impact in aiding the ailing club. He has said developing a first and second XV and bringing through youth prospects will help the club in the long term, but whether he wants to stay and see that come to pass is not yet certain.

Now the club will face a period of reflection and future planning, namely to address where and why everything went wrong this season and how it can be prevented from happening again. Exile from the EC leagues, even for one season, will likely cause frustration and the indignity of being in the merit league, but it will provide the club with exactly what the EC demand - the chance to show they can fulfil their fixtures, have a full strength and committed squad, and be competitive at this level. Haverhill's fate will be confirmed - probably within a week - and the club will be able to start planning long-term to ensure it become the 'healthy, flourishing club' Spencer envisions, while supporters will be hoping Price chooses to be patient and continue his work at Castle Playing Fields.

All that matters

When Haverhill Rovers' impressive winning run of seven successive league games stuttered to an unceremonious end at FC Clacton last month, it was perhaps not surprising that they did what they do best and get back to winning ways as soon as possible. That 2-0 defeat was followed by a late surge to steal the points of visiting Hadleigh and the completion of an impressive league double over CRC, before crashing to a narrow home defeat by league leaders Leiston. It was a mixed bag of results - not the indomitable winning run, but an impressive points haul given the opponents.

Wivenhoe Town were the latest victims of Rovers' recent upturn in form as they were vanquished 1-0 at New Croft to join an ever increasing list of teams that have taken no points off Rovers this season. It was a scrappy game from the outset, with neither side really taking control, and Rovers struggled to establish themselves in the first half despite having the wind on their backs. I was disappointed to see new striker Owen Paynter not appearing after his injury debut against Leiston, and Dalton O'Brien did not seize the chance to shine, although in fairness his service through the middle from Marc Abbott, and from Jack Higgs and Louis Harper on the wings, was not what he would have expected.

Harper's cross-cum-shot from the half way line was probably the closest Rovers got to breaching Adam Wilding's goal, but Wivenhoe seldom made chances of their own either in what turned into a midfield scrap. Fortunately, one thing manager Peter Betts has shown in this campaign, and something I always trust he will do in games, is to inspire his side into an improved second half showing. Anthony Fernandez' introduction certainly seemed to liven up proceedings, and it was not long before Rovers started to exert their superiority.

When the breakthrough finally did come, it was as scrappy as the game that preceded it. Stuart Wardley, who again was immovable at the back along with captain Marcus Hunt, initially saw his header cleared from Abbott's corner. Wilding's poor clearance though only sent it back to the centre half's head, and as it nodded it goalwards again all sorts of bodies stumbled and tumbled in front of it - at first I thought it was Stuart Kingham's goal, but later confirmed that it was Wardley's. Wivenhoe never showed much intent or ability to penetrate Rovers' defence after that, and the points were secure.

It was a good result in a good weekend of results which saw Rovers' title rivals - nice not to have relegation rivals - drop points to keep Betts' team in third place in the Ridgeons Premier League table. Betts admitted it was not a memorable performance, but also addressed that at half time with the change of shape. “As long as we get the result at 4.45pm on a Saturday afternoon then that’s all we’re worried about”, he told me.

It was, however, a sign of the strength of this Rovers side - not only are they fulfilling the age old cliché of winning while not playing well, but they are also continuing to strengthen and increase the depth of the squad. First Dalton O'Brien relegated Craig Cutts to the substitutes' bench, before Liam Paton's arrival saw him leave the club entirely. Fernandez has returned to the squad and is in and around the first team, while Betts also praised Haverhill's cricket captain Adam Dellar, who has been making his way onto the bench but not yet the pitch in recent games as he looks to fit in at centre half.

What makes this even more impressive is that new striker Paynter has not yet established himself in the side, who along with O'Brien, will surely provide Betts with a selection or formation headache for the remaining 15 fixtures. He should be fit for Saturday's game and getting back into the team. Added to the mix is the re-signing of central midfielder Joe Harvey, a 'box to box' player that was a scholar for Tottenham Hotspurs and Northampton Town. Betts described him as 'one of the best, if not the best central midfielder this club has had'. And don't forget the talismanic Neil Cogger is still to return from injury, and should be back in a few weeks, further strengthening the side.

It will certainly make an impressive line up, a testament to Betts' ability to build his side on a shoestring budget. He recently appealed for town businesses to support the club, and if he were to get that support, along with the club's current success, they could go on to much greater heights. Promotion is not possible in this campaign, but Betts told me a top four finish would be 'like winning the league' with the budget they are on. The team could no doubt push for it next season with this squad intact and firing, and there is still the small matter of potentially finishing the season as winners of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup as Rovers entertain March Town on February 22 in a semi-final they can be confident of winning.

Before then, however, Rovers next play against Great Yarmouth Town on Saturday (February 12) at New Croft (kick off 3pm). They showed steely character to come from two goals down to nick a point there in October, and Betts described them as a side that 'don't play football'. No matter what physical presence they offer though, Rovers will no doubt have the talent and confidence to continue their fine form and ensure another three points before dinner time on Saturday.

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.