Comeback needed after early debacle
By by Steve Esdale at Hamlet Croft on Wednesday, 10th February 2010.
RIDGEONS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Haverhill Rovers 3 Wivenhoe Town 2, match report.
Some shocking first half defending and play in general by the hosts almost saw them throw this game away until a second half comeback gave them the result that they should have expected before the start.
Two uncharacteristic mistakes by Stuart Wardley meant Wivenhoe went into the break 2-0 up, the first goal coming on 11 minutes when Wardley missed a header and the second when he couldn't stop a ball forward after 22 minutes, Michael Owen finishing neatly past keeper Matt Morrison into the bottom corner on both occasions.
A second half change of formation (Marc Abbott coming on for Martin Westcott and going into centre midfield with Marcus Hunt going into centre defence and Wardley going up front) brought dividends eight minutes in.
Danny Shipton netting a 20-yard free kick that he curled over the wall and just inside the post, a mistake in the Wivenhoe defence allowing Wardley to make up for his earlier errors and equalise in the 83rd minute.
Lee Salmons then flicked on a Scott Wilby cross for captain Hunt to loop a header over goalkeeper Chris Jones two minutes into added time to complete the turnaround.
ROVERS (4-4-2) : Morrison; P Abbott, Wardley, Holmes, Shipton; Wilby, Challis (Harrison, 80), M Hunt, Harper (Halls, 68); Salmons, Westcott (M Abbott, 46). Sub not used: Kingham.
Some shocking first half defending and play in general by the hosts almost saw them throw this game away until a second half comeback gave them the result that they should have expected before the start.
Two uncharacteristic mistakes by Stuart Wardley meant Wivenhoe went into the break 2-0 up, the first goal coming on 11 minutes when Wardley missed a header and the second when he couldn't stop a ball forward after 22 minutes, Michael Owen finishing neatly past keeper Matt Morrison into the bottom corner on both occasions.
A second half change of formation (Marc Abbott coming on for Martin Westcott and going into centre midfield with Marcus Hunt going into centre defence and Wardley going up front) brought dividends eight minutes in.
Danny Shipton netting a 20-yard free kick that he curled over the wall and just inside the post, a mistake in the Wivenhoe defence allowing Wardley to make up for his earlier errors and equalise in the 83rd minute.
Lee Salmons then flicked on a Scott Wilby cross for captain Hunt to loop a header over goalkeeper Chris Jones two minutes into added time to complete the turnaround.
ROVERS (4-4-2) : Morrison; P Abbott, Wardley, Holmes, Shipton; Wilby, Challis (Harrison, 80), M Hunt, Harper (Halls, 68); Salmons, Westcott (M Abbott, 46). Sub not used: Kingham.
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