Thurlow Nunn Premier Felixstowe & Walton United 1 Haverhill Rovers 1 Felixstowe & Walton saw their 100% home record end in front of a bumper 355 pre-Christmas crowd as new look Haverhill Rovers took a share of the spoils from a game that rarely rose above the mediocre, writes Chris Ryan.
It should have been all three points for the home side after coming from behind when they were awarded a penalty with ten minutes left, but it was a day of missed chances and Joe Francis’ spot kick was wide of the post.
The visitors produced a hard-working performance to earn their point and ultimately the result was decided by two headers six minutes either side of half-time, plus the missed spot kick.
Jordan Palmer headed Rovers into a half-time lead with Scott Chaplin equalising after the restart.
The Seasiders were awarded a penalty on 78 minutes, which Francis placed wide of the visitors’ left hand post, leaving the league leaders looking over their shoulders as their three main rivals gained maximum points.
The Seasiders showed four changes from the line-up that lost at Stowmarket, with the returning Miles Powell creating an early opportunity after rounding the visiting ‘keeper, before a timely tackle from Alfie Carroll denied Felixstowe’s leading marksman from opening the scoring.
Powell then clipped the outside of Rovers right hand post from distance.
Crump was at full stretch to palm Carroll’s header away at the expense of a corner, with Rovers looking dangerous on the break, and the deadlock was broken on 39 minutes when Jordan Palmer completed a flowing move with a powerful header to claim an interval lead.
Chaplin and Driver both went close as Felixstowe pressed for an equaliser after the break, with Scott Chaplin producing a decisive header from Powell’s cross to bring the sides level.
Phillips produced a number of saves to deny Chaplin, Francis and Powell, but the visiting defence held firm until a handball decision provided the home side with an opportunity to take the lead, which they then squandered - they continued to press, but on an afternoon of missed chances, they had to settle for a point.
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