Tuesday 8th August 2023 ko 19:45

Eastern Counties League Division One North

HAVERHILL ROVERS 2 (Greenslade-Cross 18 42)

WHITTON UNITED 1 (Thrower 30)

Att 111

Entry £7

No programme

Ever had one of those grounds that irks you? Not in the sense that the place itself annoys you, rather that your failure to get the place visited irks you. I’d visited Rovers old ground Hamlet Croft back in 2007, they moved to the New Croft in 2010, and somehow I contrived to fail to visit the new ground.

To make things worse, I contrived to be at the opening game at the 3G cage next door that proved to be more memorable for who was there rather than the facilities on offer! That does hint at my issues in getting here though, like my trip to Needham Market the previous Saturday both Haverhill clubs do use the 3G and the main stadium when appropriate, and we’d had no little rain.

A tweet stating that the game was being played at the main stadium cleared the matter up, I battled the motorways, and on arrival discovered there’d been a pitch inspection. Sometimes it’s better not to know! One tip though concerns the parking here. Look out for the QR codes dotted around the place, scan one and register to allow yourself 4 hours free parking; without it you run the risk of a fine.

Inevitably I found myself comparing the New Croft with its predecessor. Are those benches from the old ground? My thoughts were fairly predictable, I think everyone loved the old ground’s quirks, but while the New Croft lacks anything like that character it is extremely well-appointed and could be easily adapted for life in the Isthmian League, two promotions from Rovers’ current status.

The game through was the star of the evening. It boiled down to two players, for Whitton Danny Thrower’s movement and passing deserved better than a loss, albeit one with a goal. But Whitton had few answers to Joe Greenslade-Cross’s predatory instincts and ultimately the better side won.

Just the 4 ECL clubs left……