A disappointingly fitting climax to the season

It was ultimately a disappointing end to the season, but a fitting one nonetheless as, much like the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup final defeat that preceded it, Haverhill Rovers' inadequacies from an entire season were summed up in 90 minutes. Saturday's 1-1 draw against FC Clacton at New Croft started slowly, with neither side asserting themselves, but soon Rovers found their stride and even took the lead through a stand-out Callum Harrison. However, it seemed with inevitability that the visitors drew level - unfortunately following an error from Stuart Wardley, the likes of which seem to be becoming increasingly common - and from then on it seemed unlikely that Rovers would win. They made the chances, they tried and toiled and pressed, but they lacked the finishing prowess that has separated them from the heights of the Ridgeons Premier League this season.

Looking back on how the entire season has unfolded, Rovers can be quite pleased with their progress. Two seasons has transformed them from a basement team to a lower half team to a top half team. The frustration lies in that the start of the season showed so much promise and what they are capable of - they completed the league double over fourth placed Wisbech Town before October - but all their good work has seemingly fallen apart over the last few weeks, fading from a seven game winning run and an 11 game unbeaten run to a nine game winless run. The poor form to end the season was exactly what manager Peter Betts had feared before the run-in. Compared to pre-season under-expectation of merely avoiding relegation, an eighth placed finish is quite an achievement, but compared to having climbed up to third and applied for promotion, it is not. Achievements never seem as sweet when you know there could have been more.

It would seem that the reasons for Rovers' failure to progress, or at least maintain a level of consistency, relates largely to squad depth and a failure to score. Injuries have taken their toll in the closing stages of the campaign, but even manager Peter Betts admitted he is not looking to use that as an excuse. Stuart Kingham has been conspicuous by his absence, and proof of just how much this Rovers' team centres around him. When fit he has been the defensive linchpin, shielding captain Marcus Hunt and Wardley who frequently enjoyed clean sheets and one of the lowest 'goals against' records in the division, but without him Rovers have looked uncomfortable with nobody else well suited to that role. Hunt does not look comfortable when thrust forward, as he excels at tackling and breaking up play rather than passing and setting up play.

For all his strong performances Sam Holmes has not looked likely to form a partnership to exclude either Hunt or Wardley. Wardley has still been strong as the back, despite the more frequently occurring gaffes, although often frustrates by proving one of Rovers' best passers and finishers - he ends the campaign as third highest scorer with seven goals, behind Hunt with eight and striker Dalton O'Brien with ten, and not of all of these are from the penalty spot, where he is oft reliable save for the unusual recent miss at Kirkley and Pakefield that saw Marc Abbott assume spot kick duties in the 4-3 win at Hadleigh United that followed. However, Betts did not criticise Wardley for his increasingly erroneous performances, but instead was left to rue the lack of experienced cover available at centre half. "If we had cover he would play less games - in the first half of the season he was the best centre half in the league, but in the second his legs got the better of him and he's been playing with injuries", he said. If Rovers could rotate more and play him less - he has made 40 appearances this term - then perhaps he could remain such a commanding figure that Betts trusts to stop the most fearsome forwards throughout the course of a season. His presence at the back ensures he cannot be pushed forward, even though it is often his raking passes that set up the best chances, and Rovers now have the forward options so as not to resort to sticking him up front in the closing stages of games. No doubt he will continue to command a first XI place, and his input was noticed by being awarded the supporters' first XI player of the season.

Wardley's back four companions have also looked assured throughout most of the season - Greg Strong has been impressive in his debut season, while Paul Abbott continues to impress down the right an amaze me by failing to score from some of the chances he sets up. In the centre of the park, a deputy for Kingham is clearly needed - I thought that was Joe Boreham's purpose, but he carries more of an urge to get forward and be involved in play, and is also just a teenager and still learning his game, despite an impressive first season. Dan Pilcher has been solid since his return, though has struggled to present a case for regular first XI inclusion. Between the sticks, both Matt Morrison and Liam Cutts have endured their blunders, but both have generally looked reliable with the latter and able deputy to ensure Morrison's performances do not dip.

In the middle of the park, many of last year's problems remain with consistency and a lack of goals. Marc Abbott has held down a regular first XI spot and rightly so, but he has failed to reach the high standards he set for himself. A goal return of three is unremarkable, and after his early season performances, which led to Betts labelling him 'one of the league's best', he has stuttered, though his manager attributes this to exhaustion and injury. Jamie Challis has impressed since being relegated to the fringes of the squad, responding to that setback with a number of man-of-the-match performances to force his way into first XI contention, but he too lacks the attacking vision and prowess to fire Rovers to more goals. Joe Harvey re-arrived full of promise but has failed to impress, with a particularly disappointing performance in the cup final, but there is still time for him to improve.

Though Rovers' goal scoring concerns may initially appear to be more to do with their strikers, Betts insists it has as much to do with their wingers. O'Brien has a respectable ten goal return from his first season, but is still a long way away from being a 20-goals-a-season man. Betts said: "You could have Alan Shearer up front, but without the service he won't score. Dalton got lots when [Neil] Cogger and [Dan] Emmanuel were playing, so we need more strength in wide areas." Indeed, Cogger and Emmanuel sum up Rovers' lack of depth and pace, as with those two Rovers always looked likely to score, and Betts even labelled the squad his 'strongest' with their inclusion. Louis Harper has moments of quality on the wing but lacks pace and consistency, and while Jack Higgs has had an excellent debut season, thrust into the first XI following injuries, he lacks experience and consistency, and Ryan Kent has struggled to make a first XI impact following his dramatic late goal to christen New Croft with a win in Rovers' first competitive game there. Emmanuel is now confirmed to be at AFC Sudbury for next season after signing a one year contract, and it is questionable whether Cogger will be able to play regular football again following his injury woes. Betts has said he has summer replacements lined up to come to New Croft, and has insisted that these are first XI and not squad players, so hopefully these problems will have been addressed for next season.

Although the ammunition has been lacking for Rovers' frontmen, the strikers themselves have not been clinical. Owen Paynter looked like an inspired signing at first, though he has been hampered by injuries and made minimal impact. I was surprised that Betts seemed keen to maintain him in his future plans, saying: "The way we play has not suited his game. There's no doubting that he's a good player, it's just not been happening these last few months, but you don't finish as one of the top scorers in the division each season if you're not a good player." However good Paynter maybe, he seems to favour playing with a strike partner, while Betts' oft criticised insistence on a blanket 4-5-1 approach to games may deny him that opportunity. Perhaps the manager will be more flexible this year in presenting two forwards to opposition they can expect to beat?

O'Brien has enjoyed a good season, and though a respectable ten goal return leaves him some way off being a 20-goals-a-season man Betts believes he may become that with more ammunition from the wings. He has certainly looked capable up front, with experience beyond his years and strong beyond his stature. He has given Rovers more of a cutting edge up front, even if he is not as prolific as other team's forwards. A positive from Rovers' recent poor run of form has been the emergence of Callum Harrison, who I first noticed when Rovers dismantled CRC at New Croft before going on to complete the league double over the side that thrashed them home and away last season. He has looked formidable up front, and is one of a number of players Betts has praised as he forces his way into the first XI, the award of supporters' reserve XI player of the season acknowledging his progress.

Despite the improvements up front from last season, Rovers are still lacking a striker that will get past the 20 goal mark. Brantham Athletic's Ollie Mann contributed two goals to his ridiculous season total of 41 goals from 35 games when they beat Rovers 3-0 to avenge their earlier 3-1 defeat at New Croft, and if he is scoring that many for a side that finished five places and 14 points behind Rovers, imagine how many more points and places he could have secured for Betts' side? Mildenhall Town's John Sands showed what a difference a top class forward makes when he single-handedly won the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup for his otherwise inferior side on a cold night at Abbey Stadium, and his goals tally of 31 strikes from 37 games has propelled Mildenhall to fifth. These are the players that Rovers need, but with money scarce it is difficult to see how they will attract them. Betts even expressed his reluctance to 'do a Leiston' and spent 'stupid money' even if he had the opportunity.

A quick glance at the table reveals Rovers' have a goal difference of three, and their goals for record is a paltry 50 - only two sides have lower (Newmarket Town on 45 and Wivenhoe Town on 48 - both of whom Rovers have doubled) and one the same (second from bottom Histon Reserves), and all three of those are in the bottom four. Only their defensive record has maintained a respectable goal difference, and even that somewhat unravelled with the thumpings at Leiston and Mildenhall. Their scoring record, and the fact that their centre halves and second and third highest scorers, is a damning indictment of what the club lacks. This lack of goals has often concerned Betts, who must now find a frontman to turn their dominance into points. Betts insists he will move to address these issues in the close season with 'four or five' additions to the side before the pre-season schedule gets underway.

After a lengthy campaign that offered greatness but delivered mediocrity, Rovers can still look back with a degree of satisfaction. They are now firmly established as top ten side, and now venture into most games as favourites instead of underdogs. They still lack the firepower to propel them further up the table and the defensive cover to build up from, but if Betts can address these issues in the close season then the 2011-12 campaign may deliver what fans were given a taste of before Christmas and will now come to expect.

Same old, same old

Watching Haverhill Rovers draw against Histon Reserves last Saturday (March 12) was almost like being back at Hamlet Croft last season. It was not so much that they dropped two points against the Glassworld Stadium outfit - who, let's not forget, fielded several first XI players as their Blue Square Premier League side took a weekend rest from their own relegation battle - but more in the manner of which Rovers contrived to get one point when three should have been guaranteed long before the 90 minute mark. Just like last season, chances were not finished, defending was sometimes sloppy, and it all culminated in gifting the basement club a stoppage time equaliser to take a point back from the New Croft.

Too many times at Hamlet Croft I endured watching Rovers surrender 1-0 wins into 1-1 draws, or fail to turn a 0-0 draw into a win and even make it a 1-0 defeat, but this season's arrivals seemed to have put an end to those ways, starting with Dalton O'Brien's emphatic debut in Rovers' 4-0 win over UCL Premier Division side Northampton Spencer in the FA Vase. However, recent performances - the freak 5-3 win over Histon Reserves in the quarter finals of the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup not withstanding - Rovers have struggled to find the back of the net, particularly from open play.

Owen Paynter's arrival looked set to boost the squad and remedy that problem, but in truth they have looked at a loss as to how best to utilise the hitman with Dalton O'Brien. Manager Peter Betts adopts a universal 4-5-1 approach to every game, which leaves Paynter isolated and often inefective and O'Brien stuck on the wing and leaving space when getting into his best positions centrally. They may control the midfield in many games, but they are left somewhat toothless in the final third as there is not enough support in the goalscoring areas. Their lack of goalscoring prowess was underlined further in Tuesday's (March 15) 0-0 draw at Felixstowe and Walton United. Marc Abbott may be a strong creative force in midfield, but they still need an injection of pace into the side.

Rovers seem to have struggled in two particular types of fixtures in this Ridgeons Premier League campaign - against the top of the table opponents, but more worryingly, against bottom of the table opponents. The first is understandable - Betts admits they will never have the financial clout to challenge league leaders Leiston, and Rovers have already been doubled by second placed Dereham Town, and they cannot be expected to beat the very best teams in this division at the moment. That said, they have competed well in these games, losing to unfortunate late goals to Leiston and Dereham at New Croft and at Leiston after extra-time in the FA Vase, and have also beaten Mildenhall and have yet to play Wroxham - that double header is due on March 26 (away) and April 2 (home). First they face their third game against Leiston, who they travel to on Saturday (March 19).

However, the more worrying trend is Rovers' inability to beat the bottom sides - in five games against bottom three opposition, Rovers have picked up a meagre five points. They may have doubled the likes of Wisbech Town and CRC, but they have failed to beat rock bottom Histon Reserves and contrived to lose at home to Debenham LC. This is where Betts' insistence on always playing 4-5-1 comes into question. It is an understandable tactic to deploy against the top sides - even if it seems to be reaping little reward - but why against the minnows? Rovers are now in a privileged position of being underdogs no more, and are rightly expected to beat bottom half of the table sides. What do these sides think when they arrive at New Croft to see just one striker in the starting XI? They probably see a lack of ambition, and are optimistic of being able to contain the threat and even cause an upset by nicking something on the counter.

The obvious solution that most spectators would like to see more often is 4-4-2 employed, especially against the lower sides, with O'Brien and Paynter looking to forge a partnership up front. When I put this to Betts, he stated that they had tried that formation without success in earlier games - such as at Histon - whereas 4-5-1 had proved effective in the majority of their games. It seems a very defensive approach to take, but it is understandable why he has faith in the system that has propelled them from a basement club to title challengers within the space of two season. However, perhaps the final step to fulfil Betts' ambition of becoming a Ryman club instead of a Ridgeons club may be to release the shackles in some of the games and aim to blow the opposition away before aiming not to concede against them.

Of course, Rovers problems have only been made worse by their current injury woes - Joe Boreham is still out, Stuart Kingham will be out for two-three weeks after he was knocked out against Histon, and wing wizard Neil Cogger is expected to finally return for the trip to Wroxham. Marcus Hunt is due back for the daunting trip to Leiston, as is Greg Strong, while Sam Holmes may also return for that game. It is the worst time of the season for the injury list to pile up, but Betts' fine work is building a strong squad have helped to see them through it, though with an indifferent start to March his fears that this month may prove the undoing of their season may still be realised. Dan Pilcher has returned and put in a good shift against Histon, Ant Fernandez is improving with each game and Jamie Challis has also been putting in numerous man-of-the-match performances lately. However, Joe Harvey is still to break into the first XI, and Liam Paton has been released after an uneventful stay at New Croft.

There is still much to look forward to though - not least the upcoming cup final against Mildenhall at Abbey Stadium in little over three weeks (April 12) - and reason to be optimistic instead of pessimistic. Upcoming trips to in-form Mildenhall - unbeaten in 12 league and cup games, and only on Pancake Day (March 8) ending an eight game winning sequence with a 0-0 draw at Norwich United - and Wroxham may make or break Rovers' season, but if they can show the resilience that sent them on long unbeaten runs earlier in the season then it may make their season, compounding their place in the top four rather than condemning them to sixth or below (which would still mark a vast improvement from pre-season expectations, a testament to the rapid progress they have made under Betts).

Rovers still have 11 games to play, and a favourable end of season run in that will hopefully still see them in the mix after this difficult month. Saturday will provide a tough test, and one that, in likelihood, will put Rovers on a three game winless run. However, they have showed resolve throughout this season after poor results and will hopefully continue to do that to bounce back and finish the month strong. If they can have a successful end to the season, and if Betts can maintain and build on this squad over the summer, then there may be even more successful times to celebrate next season.

My full interview with Betts was published in this week's Haverhill Echo, out today (Thursday, March 17).

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.

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.