Haverhill celebrate with Adam Ben-Saud (second left) after he nets their equaliser
photo courtesy of Paul Tebbutt
A controversial goal gave Felixstowe the first win on their travels since November to leave Haverhill with one league win in their last eight matches.
The hosts bombarded the away goal in the opening ten minutes and had a plethora of chances, Martin Westcott's header from Jamie Thurlbourne's cross, Westcott's off target long range header after Nick Impey caused goalkeeper Danny Crump to slice his attempted clearance, Impey firing over under pressure after a slotted through ball by Adam Ben-Saud and Ben-Saud's 35 yard effort all happening within a four minute spell.
Danny Phillips also fired just wide of the Haverhill goal before the tempo of the game became lower, Impey's diving header from a first time cross by Thurlbourne was off target.
Despite Haverhill deserving a goal from their spirited performance it was Felixstowe who opened the scoring after 38 minutes, a hopeful shot by Paul Betson going wide of the mark before Andrew "Porky" Claydon side footed the ball past helpless goalkeeper Jamie Smith from close range.
Another header from Westcott was palmed away by Crump following a Thurlbourne free kick before Ben-Saud netted a deserved equaliser for the home side in the 43rd minute when he chested the ball down and delicately lobbed Crump from 10 yards out.
The second half was a more even affair, Haverhill having a great chance to take the lead themselves when a goal kick by Crump went straight to Impey; he beat Sean Bell but took too long to get in an effort on goal and was eventually bundled off the ball and it cleared.
The contentious winner came after 64 minutes, Claydon and Paul Abbott battling for the ball down the left win; Claydon possibly fouled Abbott before making it to the bye line and cut it back for Phillips who seemed to bring the ball down into the ground off his arm before placing it into the bottom right corner of the net, Smith and his defence appealing for a referee's whistle that did not surface.
They almost replied instantly, a deep free kick by Thurlbourne headed back across goal by Ben-Saud and Westcott, with the goal at his mercy, could only head wide of the near post from close range.
A header by Marcus Hunt was well off target from another deep Thurlbourne set piece in the final chance that the hosts had of grabbing a point.
ROVERS : Jamie Smith, Paul Abbott, Dan Pilcher, Gareth Thomas, Sam Green, Marc Abbott, Adam Ben-Saud, Marcus Hunt, Nick Impey, Martin Westcott, Jamie Thurlbourne.
Subs - Louie Farrington (for Sam Green, 74), Ryan Holder (for Paul Abbott, 90), Lee Hallas (for Nick Impey, 81).
Goals - Adam Ben-Saud (43).
Bookings - None.
Red cards - None.
FELIXSTOWE : Danny Crump, Joe Bloomfield, Alan Mills, Neil Calver, Sean Bell, Danny Franks, Dwayne Edwards, Gavin Frost, Danny Phillips, Andrew Claydon, Paul Betson.
Subs - Liam Scopes (for Paul Betson, 79), Chris Howlett, Keith Hetherington, Paddy Turley, Darcy Death.
Goals - Andrew Claydon (38), Danny Phillips (64).
Bookings - Alan Mills (73, foul).
Red cards - None.
| HALSTEAD TOWN RESERVES | 0-1 | HAVERHILL ROVERS RESERVES |
Haverhill made the short trip to Halstead knowing that only three points would be good enough after a recent blip in league form that saw them only take one point from a possible six.
As expected the squad wasn't as strong as in recent weeks due to the knock on effect from the first team needing extra bodies to replace those that have recently left; however, Haverhill didn't seem to let this deter them, started very brightly and appeared to have good energy about them for the first time in a few weeks.
It wasn't long before the chances started coming with Paul Shaw going close on several occasions and Lee Sharp having his headed effort cleared off the line, this, along with chances for Haverhill midfielders Chris Claydon and Neil Green, clearly showed Haverhill's intentions, but the deadlock could not be broken before the half time whistle.
The second half started much the same as the first, chance after chance coming Haverhill's away as again Neil Green went close from close range; Paul Shaw had another effort brilliantly saved from Lee Sharp's cross, the woodwork was also rattled and Halstead were offering very little in return.
Finally the deadlock was broken on 65 minutes, Jamie Challis' superb strike from 20 yards flying into the bottom corner.
Haverhill kept pushing for another goal and again hit the woodwork from Paul Shaw's volley, Halstead never really threatening and Haverhill comfortably holding on.
Although the score line didn't reflect their dominance a valuable three points were gained in the title race.
Rovers Reserves: T Edwards, Catten, N Hammond, Deeks, Hurkett, N Green (Halls), Challis, Claydon, Frazier, Shaw, Sharp (D Edwards).