Following a good result and performance away at Harwich on Saturday, we expected another tough test against high flying Haverhill Rovers, and so it proved.

We rode our luck for long periods in the first half as a result of fine attacking play from our visitors and very ordinary defending from ourselves. We still lack composure with our clearances and the individual technique of the players suffers badly when under pressure. It is a fault that becomes endemic throughout the team as one mistake leads to another rather than being corrected. This brings moments of sheer panic when we resemble a rabble rather than a football team. Of course experienced heads would help but some of our second years have now played over 50 games at this level, so that is no excuse.

The long throw combination of Goddard and Vowden made the visitors at times resemble another team that I have recently watched in red, but although at full stretch and at times unconvincingly, we managed to repel this threat. Jamie Thurlbourne's left footed deliveries at set plays also caused us problems but, with lady luck on our side, we managed to get in blocks and scramble the ball away from danger. There were also fundamental aspects of our defending that were lacking, such as marking wrong side, losing our shape and failing to make the correct decision regarding when to hold, squeeze and drop that we were able to address at half time. These are basics that all of the players know but on occasions, when under pressure, everything goes out of the window. This is just the result of young players learning the game and it is credit to our boys that we can beat such an experienced team as Haverhill with a starting line-up comprising of two U19's, seven U18's and two Under 17's.

Our good fortune on Wednesday evening was that we had the chance to correct these problems at half time without having been punished. We also knew that if we could defend better we had a great chance of victory as we looked a threat ourselves at times going forward.

Craig Bussens put in his usual quota of dangerous crosses without bodies arriving with sufficient intent to apply the finishing touch, Adam Marriott looked dangerous around the box and Piers Wixon was twice denied by Benstead in the away goal. With our visitors playing with great width in midfield and one of their central players bombing on at every opportunity, we just needed to be more patient after winning back possession. We looked too anxious to attack quickly and whilst at times counterattacking can be our strength, we have to mix up our game. By keeping the ball, it would have made their wide players defend and by pushing them back, nullified much of their attacking threat. By surrendering possession so readily it allowed them the luxury of not tracking back. Again, we can put it down to the impetuosity of youth and trying too hard to impress the watching Jimmy Quinn, but the ability to make the right decisions under pressure will go a long way to determining their future in football.

The players responded well in the second half and we looked a lot more solid defensively. The first goal was always going to be important, especially as the game entered the final quarter still goalless. Craig Bussens had the best chance to break the deadlock but shot tamely at Benstead when clean through.

The opening goal arrived following the introduction of Brad Hunter, who pepped up our attack, and the award of a free kick for a foul on Mikey Hyem. Sam Cutler's shot was only parried and Rory McAuley was on hand to pounce on the rebound.

Our second goal was very pleasing on the eye. An excellent round the corner flick by Hunter found a rampaging McAuley on the right flank, and his pinpoint cross was steered home from close range by Marriott, for his fourth goal in four matches over Christmas, and our second.

Brad Hunter should have made it three but blazed over from close range and our visitors received a late lifeline following hesitancy at the back, with allowed Martin Wescott to go round Sam Beagle and slot the ball home. It proved only a consolation as we held on for three big points, which put us in a comfortable league position ever nearer to safety going into a two and a half week break, due to a Cambridgeshire U18 fixture on 12th January.

With no match on Saturday, the players will travel to Wolves on Saturday and cheer on the first team. It was nice to see Scott Rendell and Danny Potter taking an interest and supporting the team on Wednesday. We wish them luck in this massive game for the club.

Team: Beagle, Bowe (Hunter 65), Kirby, Carr, Costello, McAuley, Bussens (Paterson 75), Cutler, Wixon (Ives 88), Marriott, Hyem.

Jez George

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