HAMLETCROFT.co.uk - match reports

Needham returned to the top of the table after they won this very even match thanks to two goals, including the winner four minutes into injury time, from the impressive Paul Berry.

Berry netted his first after 19 minutes when he was given time and space to dip a 25 yard right foot strike over Haverhill goalkeeper Arron Benstead and into the net.

Adam Ben-Saud thought he had equalised for Haverhill, his header being disallowed for a push on his marker, Colin Vowden pulling the away side level in the 40th minute following a great free kick on the left on the left by Marc Abbott, an equally good leap from Vowden allowing him to flick his header inside of the right hand upright and past 'keeper Liam Jones.

The match ended with a flourish, both sides looking for a winner, Needham substitute Glenn Snell having an effort clawed out of the bottom corner by Benstead before Berry scored the winner, yet another counter attack down the left ending with substitute Danny Thrower feeding the ball forward to Berry, whose first time left footed effort went across an unsighted Benstead and into the far bottom right corner.

ROVERS : Arron Benstead, Dan Pilcher, Jamie Thurlbourne, Wayne Goddard, Colin Vowden, Joe Harvey, Marc Abbott, Marcus Hunt, Nick Impey, Martin Westcott, Adam Ben-Saud.
Subs - Louie Farrington, Gareth Thomas, Richard Heller (for Joe Harvey, 68), Ryan Holder.
Goals - Colin Vowden (40).
Bookings - Marcus Hunt (63, foul), Marc Abbott (90+5, ungentlemanly conduct).
Red cards - None.

NEEDHAM : Liam Jones, Jay Denniss, Ben Wake, Mark Bailey, Richard Butler, Rhys Barber, Paul Berry, Craig Barker, Tommy Smith, Jonathan Thorogood, Andy Jones.
Subs - Glenn Snell (for Tommy Smith, 79), Matt Buckley, Scott Wark, Danny Thrower (for Andy Jones, 68), Nathan Szyszlyk (for Jonathan Thorogood, 55).
Goals - Paul Berry (19, 90+4).
Bookings - Tommy Smith (64, dissent), Glenn Snell (85, foul), Craig Barker (90+5, ungentlemanly conduct).
Red cards - None.

HAVERHILL ROVERS RESERVES

2-0

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES

Haverhill kept their fine run of form going with a 2-0 victory over their local rivals.

Haverhill started strongly and Paul Jenkin saw a shot cleared off the line after a quarter of an hour.

A patient build up saw Cody Frazier produce a good save from the Braintree goalkeeper after 21 minutes but the deadlock was broken 6 minutes later when a Ben Cowling shot was handballed and Neil Hammond stepped up to place the penalty past the goalkeeper's despairing left hand.

Jamie Challis settled the game 5 minutes later with a fine strike from the right hand side of the penalty area to make the score 2-0.

With Harry Halls putting in a great deal of good work in the midfield for the rest of the first half, and the solid Haverhill defence always looking too strong for their opponents, a Braintree comeback never looked on the cards and the match petered out into a comfortable victory for the home side.