Rovers mount comeback to reach cup final
Tuesday, 9th March 2010.
Rovers made it through to the Suffolk Cup final after a tense, edgy affair that had the fingernails of the travelling support bitten to the quick.
Rovers started slowly and allowed Cornard to get on top, the home side going close early on, Saville saving after the striker ran clear of the defence.
It was no surprise when Cornard went in front, another defensive error allowing the Cornard player to strike from 20 yards into the top corner.
Rovers responded with an early shuffle of the pack, bringing Noonan on into midfield, and it soon began to pay dividends as the visitors started to get a foothold in the game.
Clark forced the home keeper into action after a mazy dribble through the heart of the defence and forced a succession of corners that failed to produce anything, but Rovers also managed to keep Cornard at arms' length, restricting them to long shots at goal.
The second half became a complete turnaround as, almost from the whistle, Rovers drove the home side backwards, Gathercole going close with a brave header as the keeper came to challenge him.
Noonan then hit the inside of a post and the ball bounced back into play.
Another reshuffle saw super-sub Robson join the fray and his impact was immediate.
First he harried a defender into a mistake, coolly crossed and Bishop knocked the ball home, then five minutes later he combined with Bishop to set Gathercole up to finish brilliantly to put the visitors ahead.
Cornard tried to respond but the Rovers back four, with Gage excellent again at the heart of it, held them at bay, which in turn saw them advance to the final on April 18, a great achievement as their season goes from strength to strength.
* Our picture shows the Haverhill Rovers under 15s team which has made it to the Suffolk Minor Cup final.
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