A goal from Matt Robinson after 16 minutes proved to be the deciding factor in the fifth meeting between these two sides this season, a scrappy affair only seeing the goalkeepers having to make three decent saves between them.
Both teams looked to use the wings early on and it was Mildenhall who had the first effort of the match, centre back Lewis Baillie's header from impressive right winger Stephen Spriggs corner being pushed over the bar by Haverhill 'keeper Arron Benstead after 13 minutes.
This only delayed Mildenhall opening the scoring by three minutes, however, a last ditch challenge by away right back Dan Pilcher stopping home striker John Sands from netting after a through ball by strike partner Robinson. From the corner by Spriggs away central defender and captain Marcus Hunt headed the ball away and seemingly out of danger; defender Darren Coe hopefully side footed the ball diagonally into the penalty box and Robinson applied a first time finish to give his side the lead.
With the hosts passing well in their opponents' half it was Haverhill who were creating the chances, striker Nick Impey's volley from a Hunt flick on bringing a point blank save from goalkeeper Ben Nower and fellow striker Russell Bull beating Nower to right back Graham Rush's header from defender Colin Vowden's long ball but only putting the ball across the six yard area.
Coe also headed wide of the near Haverhill post from a free kick by left back Lewis Blois.
The second half saw Mildenhall hanging back and seemingly happy for the result to finish as it was, the best chance of a Haverhill equaliser coming when a cut back from the right by Bull was volleyed into the ground by Adam Ben-Saud, bringing a great reflex save from Nower to stop the ball going into the top right corner.
A 20 minute substitute appearance by midfielder Andy Palazon, as manager Steve Taylor changed his formation to 4-3-3, and the late introduction of returning defender Paul Abbott and striker Martin Westcott after a hamstring injury were unfortunately not enough to force the equaliser that their side were looking for.
ROVERS : Arron Benstead, Dan Pilcher, Lee Wilson, Marc Abbott, Colin Vowden, Joe Harvey, Adam Ben-Saud, Marcus Hunt, Nick Impey, Russell Bull, Jamie Thurlbourne.
Subs - Paul Abbott (for Dan Pilcher, 88), Andy Palazon (for Jamie Thurloburne, 74), Martin Westcott (for Russell Bull, 88).
Goals - None.
Bookings - Joe Harvey (39, foul), Russell Bull (63, unsporting behaviour).
Red cards - None.
MILDENHALL : Ben Nower, Graham Rush, Lewis Blois, Dave Werthmann, Darren Coe, Lewis Baillie, Stephen Spriggs, Paul Miles, John Sands, Matt Robinson, Paul Musgrove.
Subs - Michael Harvey, Ricky Campbell, Aron Rutter, Spike Murkin, James Tatham.
Goals - Matt Robinson (16).
Bookings - Graham Rush (63, unsporting behaviour).
Red cards - None.
| HAVERHILL ROVERS RESERVES | 2-1 | HADLEIGH UNITED RESERVES |
Gareth Thomas (behind post) nets Haverhill's equaliser
photo courtesy of Paul Tebbutt
Haverhill brought a smile to the club after a difficult week with a hard fought victory that puts them into the Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup Final against Ipswich Wanderers.
A strong Haverhill side started strongly and Paul Jenkin headed against the bar from a Lee Sharp cross after only 6 minutes.
Hadleigh weathered the opening storm and began to settle into the game and, after 14 minutes, they shocked Haverhill when a clever through ball evaded the outstretched foot of Neil Hammond to reach Jonathan Davies, who fired home from 10 yards out.
Haverhill reacted well to the set back and Hammond went close with a fine header which hit the crossbar following a Jamie Challis cross.
There were further chances for Ben Cowling and Cody Frazier before a Challis corner was bundled into the back of the net by Gareth Thomas.
After the equaliser Hadleigh came back into the game and it required some strong defending by the Haverhill back four, as well as a slice of luck, when a misdirected back header from Brad Deeks hit a defender on the line and the post before being safely gathered by goalkeeper Tom Edwards to keep the scores level at half time.
The second half saw Haverhill gain the upper hand as their combative midfield of Deeks and Challis began to slowly take charge of the game.
Skipper Cowling wasted two good opportunities when he may have done better to pass the ball to team mates rather than shoot himself but, after 70 minutes, a strong tackle by Challis sent Paul Jenkin through and he showed fine composure to calmly lob the onrushing goalkeeper.
Two minutes later Jenkin had the opportunity to win the game as he broke free and dribbled around the Hadleigh goalkeeper only to lose the ball in his feet with the goal at his mercy.
The final few minutes were as frenetic as any semi final should be but with Hammond, Lee Hurkett and Thomas in particular staying strong in the face of an aerial bombardment, Rovers were able to run down the clock.