Home Page Haverhill News

HIGH-FLYING Haverhill managed to hold their higher ranked Suffolk rivals Mildenhall to a draw and force an FA Vase replay at Hamlet Croft, which was scheduled for Tuesday.

But Rovers were on the back foot for large chunks; of the second half and in the second period of extra time, as Mildenhall looked to make home advantage and their Jewson League Premier Division status count.

The Reds had a dream start though.

With less tan a minute on the clock, Mark Brandt hit a sure strike from 12 yards into the bottom corner after skipper Paul Miles had seen his shot blocked but not cleared.

He could have added another on 13 minutes, but his effort, after good work by Adie Hunt, Was well saved by Alex Thorpe.

Nippy winner Hunt caused real problems for Mildenhall’s backline with his enterprising runs and had chances throughout to notch a second.

Vinny Long snatched the leveller for Mildenhall on the half hour with a side-foot after keeper Dave Walton made a hash of it under pressure from the home side’s forwards. But Walton made up for his earlier blunder in the 41st minute, diving well to put Stuart Ogilvie’s low drive around the post.

Mildenhall piled on the pressure in the second half with Mark Nunn, Paul Cordy and Adam Salmons all having opportunities to settle the tie.

Stalwart Rovers’ defender Derrin Brindley was forced off with 15 minutes left with what looked like concussion following an aerial collision.

It was Haverhill who had the best effort of the first period of extra time with Paul Jenkin’s shot from Hunt’s ball from the right cleared behind.

But Rovers’ goal led a charmed life in the second period as Mildenhall laid siege as first Graham Thackery attempted to lob Walton on the volley and then both Billy McGregor and Steve Gawthrop headed off-target from corners.

Walton made perhaps his best save when Salmons — the young striker registered with both Mildenhall and Cambridge City — rifled a shot on the turn which he did not see until late but palmed behind on 115 minutes.

Mildenhall joint-manager Steve O’Donohue felt his charges did enough to win, but lacked the vital touch up front.

“Both sides put a hell of a lot into it, but we got hold of the game after 20 minutes. The ball didn’t run for us and it wasn’t a vintage performance by a long way.”

Haverhill manager Paul Goodman said: “It was the right result. We dug deep and we were under a lot of pressure, but we handled it very well.

“We didn’t use the ball as well as we could but we certainly defended very well.”

CAPTION: Great start … Mark Brandt (centre) takes the plaudits after giving Rovers a quickfire lead at Mildenhall.