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.

Still going Strong

Any fear that Haverhill Rovers' recent remarkable run of results might stall was swiftly quashed on Saturday, despite a first half performance resembling a team that had struggled to score for four games, much less won the last four. Before the game, manager Peter Betts had demanded a win from his team as the only acceptable result, and fortunately their superiority shone through after a dire first half. A local derby was always going to be feisty, and sure enough the handbags were out in the opening exchanges with Marc Abbott in particular fortunate not to get a card for a vengeful tackle. Despite the lack of creativity and midfield war that seemed to drag the game into the mire, Rovers still held a resolute defence that kept the visitors subdued to a few far fetched chances - even more impressive as the central defensive partnership of Marcus Hunt and Stuart Wardley was disrupted, with Sam Holmes coming in as centre back with Hunt pushed forward in place of the suspended Stuart Kingham.

The Ridgeons Premier League tie looked to be heading for a bore draw, even though Rovers made the better chances in the first half with Dalton O'Brien unfortunate with the few chances he spurned. The visitors certainly did not look capable of taking the points - much to my bemusement, one of their centre halves shouted up the pitch that the game was 'there for the taking' to his team mates as the half time whistle approached. It transpired that the game was there for the taking, but unfortunately for the optimistic defender it was for the hosts.

Betts did what he has done several times this season, clearly getting the right message across at the interval for his side to pull their thumbs out and ease to victory. Rovers came out quickly and were focused on the game - gone were the petty squabbles and lack of invention in the final third, replaced with better chances being made, tackles being won and domination being shown. It was not long before Greg Strong, a left back offering Rovers attacking width in addition to defensive certainty, put them ahead with a powerful (Strong, even) finish after seeing his first shot rebound back out to him.

After that the game seemed a formality - Rovers continued to dominate with little threat from Newmarket, although they did seem to struggle in search of a second - which, as past results have proven, is always dangerous. Fortunately Betts made another good call and introduced Callum Harrison, the stand out performer in the demolition of CRC, and he was on hand to bundle in the decisive goal. O'Brien popped up within the minute to combine with Neil Cogger and but the game beyond doubt. None of the goal were particularly aesthetic - in fact, all were rather scrappy - but it does not matter how they go in, as long as they do, and Rovers are having no problems finding the net right now.

One of the main reasons for their good run is their new found attacking potency -Marc Abbott has been in fine form, Craig Cutts is proving a reliable foil and Liam Paton has now further bolstered the ranks. The main plus though is Dalton O'Brien - the young striker, who trialled for Cambridge City, has hit seven league goals in 13 games, and is on course to become a 20 goals a season striker. Betts certainly shared my optimism when I spoke to him about Saturday's win, saying that's why the club signed him. Last season I watched Rovers often fall short due to poor finishing and lack of goals - 1-0 wins became 1-1 draws, potential wins were 0-0 draws or 1-0 defeats. Now it seems they have a well balanced side to banish those demons, and results are certainly a testament to that.

The defensive line has been equally impressive - though mostly unaltered (save for Strong), they are still proving a tough nut to crack with the lowest number of goals conceded to games ratio of any team in the division. Holmes had a man of the match winning game on Saturday, and he is often a peripheral player - Hunt admitted it can be frustrating to see such players unable to break into the first XI, but that in itself is a testament to the strength of the squad that Betts has assembled. They have hit the right mix at the moment and at the right time - even Betts is himself admitting now that he can aim higher than survival, saying that a top six finish is the target and anywhere outside of the top ten would be a disappointment.

Christmas and the New Year will be the trying time when the strength in depth of this squad will be truly tested - there now seems to be cover in most areas, but the increasing fixture congestion will test that. Saturday's proposed trip to Wroxham is off due to the hosts instead playing Cromer Town in their Norfolk Senior Cup Round Four tie - why Norfolk games take precedence over league fixtures is confusing, as Suffolk cup games are held midweek to avoid these issues. It leaves Rovers facing the second placed team in back to back games at the end of March/start of April - in the short term, it leaves them facing another week without a game. At a time when the weather is unpredictable and wreaking havoc on the fixture list anyway, it is frustrating to see a game unneccessarily cancelled. Betts is weary of the team maintaining their momentum in the absence of games, but Saturday showed that Rovers can still turn on the style after being out of action for a fortnight. Hopefully it will be a similar story against Hadleigh on December 27.

Joy of the Rovers

Just when back-to-back defeats were starting to make Rovers' 11 game unbeaten run look like it would be the piniccle of their season, they surpassed that achievement in the space of a fortnight with four successive wins. Last Saturday they played some fantastic football to beat Mildenhall Town - certainly the best I've seen the play for some time - and the 2-1 scoreline in no way reflected their supremacy. And their good run had already started when they crushed CRC 4-0 11 days before.

This was complemented by further impressive victories, as they first triumphed 1-0 at Wivenhoe Town before winning by the same scoreline at Ely City. The four match winning streak has propelled them up to the dizzying heights of third place - just four off meeting manager Peter Betts' self confessed initial aim of the 40 point safety mark. With each win and each impressive performance Rovers move further and further away from looking like a team trying to stay up and more and more like a looking to go up. Though that may still be a little ambitious, the aims already seem to be transforming from top ten to perhaps top six - and captain Marcus Hunt stated that if the former is not achieved, given their current position it would be a 'disappointment'.

What has been good about these victories was the way the team set about achieving them - ironically, the game in which they dominated most they scraped a 2-1 win, yet the game where they barely saw the ball for 45 minutes they eased to a 4-0 win. Mildenhall arrived at New Croft on a good run of their own, having dispatched league leaders Dereham Town and leapfrogging mid table Newmarket Town with a home win in their previous two fixtures. They certainly promised to provide a challenge, yet Rovers started dominating from very early on.

Hunt had soon hit the bar before Stuart Wardley cooly controlled and slotted home, and in the second half the flow of chances continued. The only worry - as Betts said to me - is that more chances were not converted sooner, as they could and should have been three or four goals ahead with plenty of time to spare. Dalton O'Brien looks and increasing threat up front, albeit without a goal in this game, and the players are increasingly confident that with him leading the line then victory is always within their sights. Neil Cogger and Greg Strong are starting to provide a good attacking threat down the left, and are complemented by Marc Abbott's fine form from the centre of the field.

Stuart Kingham continues to excel at being a nuisance to any opponents infront of the back four, while Wardley and Hunt have both been miserly all season. Unfortunately, instead of capitalising on the steady stream of chances, they looked like the Rovers of last season as chances went missing. Cogger was guilty of a couple of glaring misses when he was moved to the centre, and the problem of leading 1-0 surfaced when Mildenhall snatched an undeserved equaliser. Fortunately Hunt stepped up to head home Jack Higgs' long free kick and spare the blushes on a foggy day at New Croft (I was somewhat surprised that the game even went ahead).

Betts said to me after that he was not worried when Mildenhall scored, as he was confident that Rovers would score again. His faith was proved right, and well founded based on the display. He maintains that his team must keep the right attitude and not become complacent, avoiding frustrating results like the defeats at home by basement club Debenham LC and table toppers Dereham. They certainly seem to have the right attitude, and will be rightly confident of continuing their run at third from bottom Felixstowe and Walton United on Saturday.

One of the key factors to the team's success has been the increasing quality in the squad, a testament to Betts' magaerial skill in building such a talented team on a shoestring. He told that 'whereas last season we had 13 quality players, this season we have 18'. Hunt also said this has kept everyone on their toes as nobody can take their place in the first XI for granted. Quality players like Higgs, Joe Boreham, Louis Harper and Sam Holmes are struggling to force their way into the starting XI, while Craig Cutts has been more reliable than I expected as foil for O'Brien and several players from the second XI are developing well.

Nevertheless, this squad size will be tested after Christmas. The games will come thick and fast, and hopefully the players will have remained fast without their waists getting too thick during the festive period. The fact that others are waiting in the wings to step into the first XI should keep everyone fit and hungry for success, and this can only be good for the team's fortunes.

Despite the last three results not being the walloping victories we'd all like to see, it is at least good to see Rovers in the habit of 'grinding out a result'. Last year too many points were dropped as wins became draws and draws became defeats, in part due to poor finishing and in part due to a lack of squad cover. This year has been different though, and the recent results show the side is capable of going to difficult places and nicking a win. Hunt admitted that last year the 1-0 wins at Wivenhoe and Ely 'would have been 0-0 draws or 1-0 losses' (they actually won 2-0 at Wivenhoe but lost 3-2 at Ely).

So things are certainly looking positive for the rest of the season - a remarkable turnaround over the last two years, and Hunt admits now that 'as a team', this squad is better than the one that came so close to reaching the FA Cup First Round Proper three years ago. If the players can remain fit and in form, and if they can keep the correct attitude as Betts desires to overturn teams below them in the table, then top ten may even start to look like under-expectation, let alone avoiding relegation.

To see my interview with Marcus Hunt see this week's Haverhill Echo, out tomorrow (Thursday, November 25).

Back to good habbits

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A boring lack of ambition

As the minutes wore on and a goalless draw looked increasingly likely, my decision to shun The Apprentice to watch Manchester City choke their way to a stalemate against Manchester United fast became a mistake. From the offset this game promised to be anything but last season's 4-3 spectacle as United lacked the players in an injury ravaged squad and City simply lacked the ambition.

Surely there was no better time for the middle Eastlands money men to pull one over their rivals? Ryan Giggs missed his first derby for the first time in 19 years, Wayne Rooney was still rehabilitating in the USA and they were playing a team that, despite being unbeaten, had stuttered their way through the current campaign and rarely found their best form. City, in contrast, had the talismanic Carlos Tevez returning to the fore and a wealth of attacking riches and a bench worth more than many Premier League teams.

But it was there that they were reined in by caution and lack of intent. Roberto Mancini's men had the appearance of a side setting out not to lose rather than a side setting out to win. While caution may prove well at smaller clubs in getting a point, it should not be acceptable at a higher level and certainly not when so many millions have been spent on the squad. Liverpool taught us in their painfully narrow second placed finish that sometimes caution must be thrown to the wind to emerge triumphant - they doubled United and Chelsea that season and lost just twice, but 11 draws cost them the league. Compare that to United, who did not adopt just a defensive tactic when it mattered and, though they may have lost more, ultimately turned enough draws into wins to claim the title.

Which is why City's ultra-defensive approach to games is all the more baffling. Why start with three holding midfielders? Even teams at the latter stages of the World Cup were only employing two, and most of them did not have such attacking among their substitutes. Both teams played this game in a rather cagey, European style that was almost reminiscent of the 'can't lose the opening game' of the World Cup groups.

Any substitutes that were made were all like for like. When the game cried out for a little spark of creativity, Adam Johnson waited until there were just 17 minutes to play and replaced the lethargic James Milner. Aleksander Kolarov replaced James Boetang and, instead of throwing another striker into the mix with enough chance to make a difference, Emmannuel Adebayor replaced Carlos Tevez instead of accompanying him, and after the Togo striker took longer to get ready than a teenage girl he had just seconds to play. Why a £25 million striker is being used as a time wasting substitute must be infuriating to the fans.

City's defensive approach has alienated many of their attacking players already - Johnson has found himself isolated to the bench while Adebayor seems similarly frustrated. Roque Santa Cruz, who cost the club £18m, is already aiming for a January exit. Record signing Robinho soon wilted, and the club no doubt lost a chunk for their £32m outlay when he left for AC Milan. Craig Bellamy was another promising player to be shown the exit as first team opportunities become increasingly limited.

Now, I believe players should not moan about a lack of first team opportunities, but should rather muscle their way into the team. The best way to get in the starting XI is to impress in training rather than complaining to the tabloids. But City do not exactly experiment with their formation into a shape that would allow more opportunites for attacking players, and with Tevez instrumental to their results it seems, he is unlikely to be dropped. So how are their umpteen other strikers supposed to stay motivated?

It would be fair to say they should not complain given each week they receive what most people would hope for in a year, but it is understandable that someone will get frustrated at not being given the opportunity to do their job. Another point is that surely they had an idea of whether they would be a bit-part squad member or a starting XI player before they signed? If not then many must have been naíve.

Regardless of the reasons for attackers' frusrations, City's lack of ambition meant they failed to seize the opportunity to do one over their rivals. True, United were hardly any better themselves, but that misses the point - with increasing ambitions and the game at Eastlands, the onus was on the hosts to send a message, not just that they can compete with United but to close the gap at the top of the table. The chance has passed, and Mancini must surely unshackle his team in games to come if they are to realise their lofty ambitions sooner rather than later.

(Pictures: The BBC and AP)

Bunch of tough tests still ahead

It seemed to be with relative ease that Haverhill picked up their first points of the season in the East Women's League Division Two NE. Though it was still early in the season, the number of games remaining got less each weak, and with it no doubt morale and belief. Captain Tina Bunch had spoken about how they were in an easier division than last year - when they narrowly avoided relegation with a last gasp winner at Lincoln Roses - but results seemed to tell a different story.

Having struggled to find the net all season, with just three goals in the entire campaign, Bunch was unsurprisingly happy to see her side cruise to victory with a 5-3 home win over Loddon. She had remarked that they had played all of the top sides in the division to date in a difficult opening fixture, and they had played well in some and were unlucky that results went against them - but points are awarded for winning games, not playing well or showing spirit.

Saturday's win will reinforce the belief that they can compete at this level, and will give them confidence leading into a series of crucial games. On Saturday they face University of East Anglia Women (UEA), who are now a place below them at the foot on the table as they still have zero points, and following on from that they travel to Christchurch, who are a place and a point above them. Bunch was right that they have had a tough opening and perhaps not likely to get any points, but if that is the case then these are the games they must take points from.

They are obviously already off to a winning start, but that momentum must be maintained. Bunch has said the division is likely to be split in half in terms of quality, and the test is for Haverhill to stay at the top of the bottom pack. No doubt they will all be keen to avoid a repeat of last year's struggles and ensure hockey at this level for at least another campaign, but consistently struggling at the bottom of any league is never a pleasant experience.

UEA will be a 'different challenge' according to Bunch, and no doubt that despite their unenviable position as the basement club they should not be underestimated. University teams will always fluctuate with players coming and going depending on availability, and it remains to be seen if they will field a strong or weak squad - as it is in Haverhill though it is liekly to be the latter. Bunch said: “We’ll have more players available and are definitely buoyant going into the game – the coach wanted seven points from our next three games and we’ve already got three."

Haverhill will face the opposite problem against Chirstchurch, who are likely to have a strong squad available. It should also be noted that these games will be just as crucial for both of Haverhill's opponants as they look for a way to pull clear of the bottom too. The skipper added: "The pressure is on for these games and it will be good to get a run of wins together and we’re looking forward to the game now. The tension has eased a little and the win restored confidence that we were right to be optimistic."

Back to back wins could propel Haverhill to mid table, but the opposite would leave them rock bottom with a number of tough games to come. That is why they must win their next two fixtures, and hopefully carry that form on to take some points from games they may not be expecting to. Then perhaps their optimism will be truly proven.

Will Dan return to Rovers?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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