FOOTBALL - Pope pops up to bless Rovers
Saturday, 7th September 2002.
A LAST-minute goal from substitute Ben Pope secured Godmanchester Rovers a 1-1 draw in the Jewson League Division One at Needham Market.
Eric Cheesewright's team fell behind on 17 minutes and they looked set to be heading for their third defeat of the season before Pope intervened.
On 89 minutes Fred De'Ath put in a cross from the right which was flicked on by Dan Potter for Pope to fire home in the six-yard box.
Cheesewright said: "In the first half I felt they shaded it. I do not think they can be upset about conceding a goal. A draw was a fair result."
"It was the best so far" was Warboys joint-manager Ian Jones assessment of his side's 3-1 defeat at home to Hadleigh.
Warboys had conceded 12 goals from three games and not picked up a point. But, with five minutes left, it looked as though they would get a share of the spoils.
After a goalless first half, Julian Youngs gave Warboys the lead from the penalty spot after a handball but Hadleigh equalised on 75 minutes with an effort which deflected off Jim Salmons and Martin Lindsay en route to goal.
The visitors then struck twice with five minutes left, but Jones said: "It looks as though we have been comfortably beaten but that was not the tale. There is no doubt that we should have had at least one if not three points."
Bob Barnett's Somersham side did not enjoy the trip back from Leiston after going down 5-1.
The hosts charged into a 3-0 lead at half time and grabbed their fourth 10 minutes after the break before Richard Marsden struck for Somersham. Mike Egan burst through the home defence but had his shot saved and the ball fell to Marsden 25 yards out and he made no mistake. Leiston, however, added another late on.
Barnett said: "We were second best. The score flattered them slightly, but they deserved the win.
"There were some pleasing points to come out of it and the players will respond to it as they are a good bunch of lads."
March boss Jan Czarnecki is looking to add some experience to his young side after they went down 2-0 at home to Long Melford.
The visitors scored on 15 minutes and again on 75, but Czarnecki was not too harsh on his players.
"It is a bit disappointing but basically we have not got enough experience in the squad. We have got six or seven young players and we need experience in there to look after them," he said.
Haverhill slipped to their third defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 at high-flying Swaffham.
The scores were level at half time but Swaffham scored seconds after the re-start when Marc Curson tapped home after Dave Walton had kept out an Anthony Stannard effort.
Haverhill were back on level terms 10 minutes later when Marcus Hunt was brought down in the area, and Paul Jenkin fired home the spot-kick to open his account for the season
But Swaffham secured the victory when Ross McNeil's shot deceived Walton and flew into the net.
Eric Cheesewright's team fell behind on 17 minutes and they looked set to be heading for their third defeat of the season before Pope intervened.
On 89 minutes Fred De'Ath put in a cross from the right which was flicked on by Dan Potter for Pope to fire home in the six-yard box.
Cheesewright said: "In the first half I felt they shaded it. I do not think they can be upset about conceding a goal. A draw was a fair result."
"It was the best so far" was Warboys joint-manager Ian Jones assessment of his side's 3-1 defeat at home to Hadleigh.
Warboys had conceded 12 goals from three games and not picked up a point. But, with five minutes left, it looked as though they would get a share of the spoils.
After a goalless first half, Julian Youngs gave Warboys the lead from the penalty spot after a handball but Hadleigh equalised on 75 minutes with an effort which deflected off Jim Salmons and Martin Lindsay en route to goal.
The visitors then struck twice with five minutes left, but Jones said: "It looks as though we have been comfortably beaten but that was not the tale. There is no doubt that we should have had at least one if not three points."
Bob Barnett's Somersham side did not enjoy the trip back from Leiston after going down 5-1.
The hosts charged into a 3-0 lead at half time and grabbed their fourth 10 minutes after the break before Richard Marsden struck for Somersham. Mike Egan burst through the home defence but had his shot saved and the ball fell to Marsden 25 yards out and he made no mistake. Leiston, however, added another late on.
Barnett said: "We were second best. The score flattered them slightly, but they deserved the win.
"There were some pleasing points to come out of it and the players will respond to it as they are a good bunch of lads."
March boss Jan Czarnecki is looking to add some experience to his young side after they went down 2-0 at home to Long Melford.
The visitors scored on 15 minutes and again on 75, but Czarnecki was not too harsh on his players.
"It is a bit disappointing but basically we have not got enough experience in the squad. We have got six or seven young players and we need experience in there to look after them," he said.
Haverhill slipped to their third defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 at high-flying Swaffham.
The scores were level at half time but Swaffham scored seconds after the re-start when Marc Curson tapped home after Dave Walton had kept out an Anthony Stannard effort.
Haverhill were back on level terms 10 minutes later when Marcus Hunt was brought down in the area, and Paul Jenkin fired home the spot-kick to open his account for the season
But Swaffham secured the victory when Ross McNeil's shot deceived Walton and flew into the net.
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