Return To Haverhill - Haverhill Rovers vs. Maldon And Tiptree

Storm clouds over The New Croft

Even though it was FA Cup weekend, engineering works and strike action severely narrowed the game choices for this weekend. I woke up early enough to make the long trip to Haverhill Rovers for their tie with Maldon and Tiptree. With Haverhill being in The Eastern Counties League, this was their second match in the competition, they beat literal neighbours Haverhill Borough (who I visited last season) in the previous round. In fact a couple of balls were kicked onto the pitch from a match being played on the Borough pitch. Maldon and Tiptree are in The Northern Division of The Bostik League and had yet to lose this season. A trip to Maldon is highly recommended with a couple of belting pubs and a pleasant place in general.  

Kick off under calmer skies

Maldon and Tiptree start like a team with confidence and they force the Haverhill keeper into a save after the attacker cuts inside. Haverhill's first chance is a header at the back post that loops just over. The game then enters a lull with neither side creating much. Maldon and Tiptree do take the lead just before half time as the home defence fail to fully clear a corner and when the ball is put back in, it is forced in from close range to give the visitors the lead.

Maldon look for the opener in the first half

Maldon look to extend their lead early in the second half and nearly do so when another corner isn't fully cleared but this time the chance is volleyed over. They have another chance as they get behind the Haverhill defence, they don't take advantage as the ball is eventually skewered wide. They regret this miss as Haverhill get a late equaliser. As with their goal, a ball in isn't dealt with and is forced in from close range. Things get even better for Haverhill when they are awarded a penalty in the ninetieth minute which was duly dispatched to put Haverhill into the next round.

Maldon look for the killer second goal

It does take quite a while to get to Haverhill - the first leg is a train to Cambridge from either Kings Cross or Liverpool Street which takes just over an hour. This was my first experience of getting a train to Cambridge from Liverpool Street and as they are a lot shorter, they are a lot busier. From Cambridge you get the 13 bus to right outside the ground or the town centre and this leg takes also takes an hour or so. I revisited the pubs I went to when I visited previously. The Queens Head is best for ales and I had The Essex Border from the excellent Nethergate Brewery. For the early kick offs, The Bull and The Woolpack are within walking distance of the ground. The clubhouse had BT Sports and the usual drinks. The burger from the tea window was fantastic.

Decent crowd in front of the clubhouse