Early struggles as seasons start

As the rugby team continued to sturggle to adapt to life in Eastern Counties Division One, the hockey team also got their season started last Saturday. They also found themselves in a different division, but not through successes of the previous season - indeed they were fortunate to be in the same league after their shortcomings in the last campaign. A divisional reshuffle saw them moved to Division 2NE in a move that pleased optimistic captain Tina Bunch.

Speaking before Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Norwich City, Bunch was optimistic about her side's chances in the current camapign. She believed that this season would be one to build and forget about last season's failure when a string of successive defeats coupled with a late surge from relegation rivals Bourne II after Spalding folded saw Haverhill avoid defeat on the final day of the season with an away win - their first of the season - at Lincoln Roses, courtesy of a last gasp goal from Bunch. However, with a new season, new division and new teams to play, Bunch was confident that a mid table finish, rather than a relegation battle, was a realistic target for the ladies.

And yet, after their first game had finished on Saturday, they had started the season with a defeat - hopefully not starting as they mean to go on. But is it such a bad result? Bunch had said they had upped their game in pre season by playing in games against higher division sides, even though these were heavy defeats. Norwich City are newcomers to the division themselves after falling through the trapdoor the season before, and so will be among the promotion favourites - not the teams Haverhill must aim to take points from.

Home form will be crucial for the ladies this season, as will the beginning of the campaign with so many home fixtures - indeed Bunch said she aims to have 'lots of points on the board by Christmas', which will be a more realistic time to assess if they will be fighting at the foot or the middle of the table. They next host Yarmouth on Saturday with Bunch aiming to 'start afresh', and the ladies need to start picking up points if they are to have an enjoyable season.

One local team that is certainly struggling to adapt to life in a different division is the rugby club. Following their promotion to Eastern Counties Division One with a second placed finish last season, they have kicked off the new campaign with two comprehensive defeats. First they lost 74-0 on their opening day trip to Southwold - cue expectancy and optimism ahead of their first home game - before they then lost that as well, this time 60-3 to Cantabrigians.

In fairness to coach Andy Price, he has kept the club grounded with realistic ambitions and expectations. He has told me he aims to 'consolidate our position' in the division, not challenge for promotion - a feat looking increasingly improbable. The club have been hit with different problems that cannot be accounted for, such as player abcenses due to weddings, retirements from the game or unavailability which, at an amatuer sporting level, is understandable.

Another problem has been getting the team to train together in order to form a settled side that can confidently go into matches assured of each other talents and shortcomings. The club next travel to West Norfolk on Saturday and will need to start picking up points soon or risk becoming the whipping boys of the division. Price said the jump in quality between the divisions is significant, whcih is clear, but Harwich and Dovercourt - who narrolwy beat Haverhill to last season's title - have not had as many problems, with one win and a narrow defeat, and so Haverhill must improve fast.

Fortunately one sports club without too much room for improvement is Haverhill Rovers, who find themselves on a very good run of form. They advanced in the FA Vase after a comfortable victory over Debenham LC despite having Sam Holmes harshly sent off. Manager Peter Betts even said he was 'disappinted' with Debenham's performance as they failed to break down a resolute Rovers who were clinical from their set pieces - their three goals came from a Marc Abbott free kick, a Jack Higgs corner and a cooly taken Stuart Wardley penalty. Their next Vase game is against Leiston on October 2, who will no doubt provide a sterner test of their credentials, but as Betts said, when 'nothing is expected' of the team, they have 'nothing to lose'.

Before that they face a trip to Histon Reserves tonight, and after the first XI lost 2-0 at Rushden and Diamonds yesterday, Betts' men should be facing the weaker XI that he hopes for. Last season Rovers won 1-0 at the Glass World Stadium before a thumping 4-0 win at Hamlet Croft. Another trickey tie at the weekend sees them host league leaders Kirkley and Pakefield, though with Rovers in the form they are in now there is now reason why they should not be aiming for victory.

Another pleasing sign with Rovers is how well all of the new players are doing - Dalton O'Brien in particualr is continuing on from his fine start, albeit in not quite as spectacular a fashion. The striker looks able in the lone role and always forces the opposition goalkeeper to work. Jack Higgs is fast becoming a first XI regular and pacy winger, while Greg Strong compliments him well at left back and has made the divisional step up with ease. Joe Boreham looks good in his substitute appearances and perhaps deserving a first XI role. Even Craig Cutts is looking good as a back up striker and capable of filling the shoes of the departed Shaun Banham.

Betts himself is pleasantly surprised with how quickly and efficiently all the new faces are fitting into the team. He said: "It’s pleasing because I thought it would take time for them to gel at the start but looking back to be in the top ten in the first month having only lost one league game, I couldn’t have asked for more. I think the squad could do with a little more depth as we’re fine defensively and will score goals too."

He also singled out Marc Abbott for praise - the attacking midfielder did not seem effective in the latter stages of last season but has already started this season strongly, chipping in with valuable goals and assists from the middle of the park. He is due to become a father soon, and hopefully this will not lead to a dip in form. I said after Rovers dumped Northampton Spencer out of the Vase with a 4-0 win that this level of performance must become the norm rather than the exception if they are to realise their ambitious hopes for a club of this size - so far this has continued, and hopefully it will for the season. Now we just need the hockey and rugby teams to discover a bit of form of their own.

Is O'Brien the cutting edge Rovers need?

Haverhill Rovers enjoyed a thumping FA Vase victory on Saturday in a game that could not have been much different that their miserable FA Cup exit only four days before. Last Tuesday they folded to a 3-1 home defeat by Wellingborough Town 2004 at New Croft after drawing 1-1 away to force a replay. It was a hugly disappointing result for the side, espcially after manager Peter Betts' comments about the FA Cup being the most important competition for the side from a financial viewpoint. He stressed the team felt they needed better facilities and support to advance in the cup, and as they capitulated at New Croft in front of an impressive home gathering they were truly out of excuses.

Rovers looked out of ideas as they fell short against Wellingborough. They had fallen behind to an unfortunate first goal, then saw the deficit doubled from the penalty spot with nobody watching quite sure why a spot kick had been awarded. Marc Abbott continued his fine form to fire home just before the break in what looked like a potential rallying cry for the side, but in the end it was some sloppy defending that cost them. In the second half the hosts had come out flying with everything they had at the visitors as they pressed for an equaliser - they played some good passing and a high tempo game, kept possession, and really got at the UCL Premier Division side.

However, when a team does up their game to this level there is always a danger they will fall short after exerting themselves, and this is exactly what happened. Marc Abbott had come close, brother Paul showed intent by darting in and sending a piledriver just over - even Craig Cutts saw his shot well saved. But after 20 minutes or so of domination the team were jaded and tired with nothing to show for it. As per usual, they had been strong in defence, had good passing through the midfield, but nobody up front with the precision to put the ball in the net from the chances they were given. Sam Holmes' sloppy back pass that resulted in the visitors taking an undeserved two goal lead and ensuring their progression was complacent at best.

But what a difference a few days can make. This time they lined up for another important game as they began their FA Vase campaign against Northampton Spencer. There was little differnece between the two sides on paper, with Betts saying he knew little about the visitors but expected them to be strong. They also play in the UCL Premier Division, and sit seventh, 11 places above Wellingborough Town. So it would be reasonable to expect Rovers to struggle against the opposition - certainly not to demolish them in the fashion on Saturday's win.

Betts had spoken to me with excitement and expectation about new striker Dalton O'Brien when I spoke to him for last week's Echo. He had a centre forward who had turned down 'three Ryman North clubs and one Ridgeons Premier club' - although I had my doubts as to whether this was because he was devoted to Rovers or because he saw an easier opportunity to play regular football than at other clubs. Betts said the Cambridge City triallist had been impressed with the New Croft facilities and that had been one of his primary reason for chosing the club.

Luck is often welcome when a team is struggling, and Rovers were fortunate to start in the way they did. Greg Strong's speculative goal from half way between the half way line and the D should have been easily collected by Pete Smith, but instead the goalkeeper did his own impression of Rob Green's howler against the USA in Rustenburg. If luck saw them take the lead though it was skill that turned the game into a thrashing.

O'Brien certainly looked every bit the classy player Betts had hoped for. Shortly after Strong's opening goal, Rovers showed the attacking intent they will need if they are to press their ambitions of a top ten finish in the Ridgeons Premier League this season. Strong was combining well with Jack Higgs down the left while O'Brien was working well with Marc Abbott to form chances - in fact both had missed before Abbott doubled the lead with a well worked goal.

O'Brien had already ensured a memorable debut before the interval as he had given Rovers a comprehensive lead - any fears about a struggle were vanquished as they went in 3-0 up at the break, the sizable crowd enjoying the game and forgetting the frustrations of the kick off being delayed by 30 minutes after the visiting side failed to account for traffic casued by the Duxford Air Show.

The team picked up where they had left off before the interval as they continued to press for more goal. Louis Harper was much improved after the break and worked a number of good chances, setting up O'Brien for his second just five minutes after the restart. Numerous other efforts were sent just wide or over the bar, and Joe Boreham was unlucky not to score as his open goal shot was headed clear.

Northampton Spencer offered very little going forward - a testament to how solid Stuart Wardley and Marcus Hunt were in defence, with Stuart Kingham again frustrating them with good break up play. Matt Morrision though looked very assured in goal when called upon, which forunately was not often.

What was equally refreshing as a dream debutant was to see several new faces gelling so well and adding so much to the team. Higgs provided much going forward and got into good positions, while Boreham looked strong in the middle and offered much going forward. With both still teenagers, there is also room for development and improvement still. Strong looked, well, strong at left back, defending confidently while pushing up the pitch when in possession. There is also depth at least on the bench with the journeying Cutts brothers returning.

It may be a concern that Rovers did miss more than they scored - though this always goes unnoticed when you thrash any team 4-0, even if you miss another ten shots. However, in other games Rovers will not get ten shots, and may have to score to one or two they get to take a point or three. O'Brien was not on target all the time, and though he did not take the match ball home, two goals and an assist on a debut is hardly a bad start.

Now the team will hope to maintain this high level of performance - this was not just O'Brien having a great start, it was everyone looking strong in their positions. If they can play at this level consistantly their ambitions will be realised - so fans will hope it is a sign of things to come rather than a one-off spectacular performance. And if O'Brien can keep scoring, then perhaps they will have finally solved their long standing problem of lacking a clinical striker who can fire them forward.