HAMLETCROFT.co.uk - match reports

Haverhill extended their unbeaten run to seven games and left Stowmarket goal less for the third consecutive league match with this result.

The hosts opened the scoring on 24 minutes, Ben Cowling being felled in the penalty area by Chris Leyes and Marcus Hunt despatching the spot kick.

Hunt scored his second goal in the 52nd minute when he stabbed home an inswinging free kick from Sam Green.

The third came five minutes later, defender Simon Roberts unable to deal with an effective cross from Marc Abbott and Cowling taking advantage.

Dan Pilcher was sent off for the home side for dangerous play on 70 minutes, substitute Neil Cogger scoring the final goal from the spot in injury time after fellow sub Richard Heller was brought down in the area by Ollie Langham.

ROVERS : Arron Benstead, Dan Pilcher, Jamie Hampshire, Andy Palazon, Colin Vowden, Marc Abbott, Sam Green, Marcus Hunt, Adam Salmons, Martin Westcott, Ben Cowling.
Subs - Joe Harvey (for Andy Palazon, 27), Neil Cogger (for Marc Abbott, 67), Richard Heller (for Adam Salmons, 78), Graham Jones.
Goals - Marcus Hunt (24, penalty, 52), Ben Cowling (57), Neil Cogger (90+1, penalty).
Bookings - Joe Harvey (53, unsporting behaviour), Marc Abbott (54, dissent).
Red cards - Dan Pilcher (70, dangerous play).

STOWMARKET: Ross Charters, Austin King, Chris Leyes, Ollie Langham, Mark Rowell, Simon Roberts, Robbie Smythe, Chris Wright, Ricky Deasy, Phillip Deller, Warren Taylor-Holt.
Subs - Jamie Carr (for Mark Rowell, 46), Jamie Sandilands (for Robbie Smythe, 66), Chris Gray (for Phillip Deller, 82).
Goals - None.
Bookings - Robbie Smythe (53, foul), Chris Leyes (69, foul).
Red cards - None.

TIPTREE UNITED RESERVES

0-3

HAVERHILL ROVERS RESERVES

In a performance that manager Peter Betts rated as their best ever Haverhill made it through to the final of the Ridgeons Reserve Teams League Cup thanks to three second half goals.

The first 20 minutes of this match saw the home side dominate, Neil Hammond and Ryan Holder doing well in the away side's defence to keep them at bay.

The tables were turned for the final 20 minutes of the opening period, Ryan Kent and Harry Halls both having efforts saved by the Tiptree 'keeper and Kent also having two penalty appeals turned down.

The second half saw Tiptree come out without injured ex Haverhill player Tom English and the travellers come out with play that Betts rated as "brilliant".

They opened the scoring after 55 minutes when Scott Hunt latched on to a through ball and made his way past a defender before slotting the ball home.

A good save by goalkeeper Jamie Smith at the other end kept Haverhill in it before Hunt won a free kick, Chris Claydon delivered the ball and Hammond came in at the back post to head the ball into the top corner of the net and put his side two goals up.

Another good save by Smith kept Tiptree at bay, a long kick by the shot stopper allowing Hunt to score the goal of the match when he chested the ball down and dribbled it to the edge of the area, Hunt cutting inside before putting the ball into the far top corner of the net with ten minutes to go.

Tiptree won what was deemed a harsh penalty in the 85th minute, Smith again coming to rescue to palm the effort away, Hunt failing to score his hat trick from the spot after he blazed a kick at the other end over the bar.