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HAVERHILL Rovers continue their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a trip to Jewson League Premier Division side Stowmarket Town.
Rovers manager Paul Goodman (pictured) was pleased with last Saturday’s results at Woodbridge Athletic.
Goodman fielded two sides against Suffolk Border League club, with the first game finishing in a 3-1 victory and the second in a 1-1 draw.
Ben Cowling and Phil Hammond gave Rovers a 2-0 first-half lead, and Mark Brandt ensured victory midway through the second half. Woodbridge pulled a goal back in the dying seconds from the penalty spot.
Rovers also conceded a late goal in the second game to give the home side a share of the spoils after Lee Sharp gave them a first-half lead.
Goodman was upbeat about the results, despite conceding two late goals.
He said: “Hopefully, the players will learn from letting the late goals in. By the start of the season we should have got that kind of thing out of the system.”
The new Rovers boss refuses to set his team any targets for the Jewson League Division One season, but he does believe that a combination of improved coaching and quality young players coming through from the club’s academy will see them have a successful campaign.
After 12 years at the club, former captain Goodman stepped into the manager’s job during the summer after the resignation of Lee Barrett, and he has installed a new team of coaches which he believes will improve their results.
“I’ve been pleased with the pre-season friendlies. The results have been good, but what is more important is the way we have been playing.
“The coaching the players have received pre-season, both technically and fitness-wise, really seems to be paying off.
“The four lads who have come through from the academy are all very good players, and it’s great to see how well they have been coached. They are almost the finished article when they arrive from the academy, which is great for me.”
Last night’s friendly against AFC Sudbury was cancelled, but Rovers are also in action next Tuesday when they travel to Spartan South Midlands League side Royston Town.