HAVERHILL Rovers bravely held off Ridgeons League favourites Leiston for more than an hour before succumbing to four late goals on a miserable Saturday afternoon.
The Haverhill goal led a charmed life for large parts, with the home side striking the post three times in the opening 45 minutes.
Even when Lee McGlone did score for Leiston the ball refused to nestle in the net, escaping through a hole at the ba
ck, before McGlone and Blake Saker (two) added the final three.
Rovers offered some forward threat early on when Paul Jenkin curled an effort wide and Jamie Challis’ shot forced Jamie Stannard into a scrambling save.
But Leiston should have been well in front with McGlone (twice) and strike partner Chris Sillett striking the upright.
Ed Campbell also made two very good saves, Harry Halls cleared one off the line while Leiston’s shooting boots also deserted them.
Ryan Kent nearly snatched the lead three minutes after half time but found Stannard in good form while Campbell produced more good saves at the other end.
But just as Leiston’s fans were beginning to get nervous and frustrated, McGlone turned the defence and shot past Campbell in the 63rd minute.
McGlone nodded in his second three minutes later and Blake Saker smashed in an unstoppable shot from the left side of the area.
Saker wrapped things up in the 89th minute after rounding Campbell.
ECHO MAN OF THE MATCH: Ed Campbell.
ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Campbell; Hammond, Holmes, Kingham,Thomas (c); M Abbott (Howard 19), Challis; Jenkin, Halls (Jones 70), Kent; Westcott.
STATS: Shots on target LEI 11 ROV 2, shots off target LEI 12 ROV 2, woodwork LEI 3 ROV 0, corners LEI 5 ROV 0, bookings LEI 0 ROV 0, red cards LEI 0 ROV 0.
Attendance: 158.
The full article contains 309 words and appears in Haverhill Echo newspaper.
