Walsham-le-Willows boss, Trevor Newman, admitted that his side are having the “rub of the green” at the moment, following Saturday’s narrow 1-0 win at Haverhill Rovers.
Andrew Cusack’s sixth minute opener separated the two sides, but it was a Thurlow Nunn Premier contest that could have gone either way at a damp New Croft.
“It was a tight game, very tight. Haverhill are a good side,” explained Newman, whose Walsham side have risen to the dizzy heights of fourth in the league.
“We are on a good run of form, and we are also getting the rub of the green, which really helps.
“I thought we were the better team for the first 25 minutes, and we could possibly have gone a couple of goals ahead.
“Then for the last 20 minutes of the first half, Haverhill were the better team.
“They should have had a penalty (foul on Graeme Turner), and on another day that could have been given. I would have probably been screaming for a penalty if that was me, so I can understand their frustration.
- Match report of Walsham’s 1-0 win at Haverhill Rovers
“In the second half it was a backs-to-the-wall performance, but even then we created some chances.
“I thought it was quite an entertaining game to watch, if you were a supporter, with chances at both ends,” added Newman.
Meanwhile, Haverhill’s player-manager, Marc Abbott, explained: “Walsham started the game quite brightly, but it was obviously disappointing to concede the early goal. It was a scruffy, scrappy goal.
“We look at it and say – ‘OK, we haven’t scored today’ – but to turn us into a good team now, we have to keep a clean-sheet against these sort of sides. They didn’t create too much at all.
- Episode Five of the Non-League Podcast
“Walsham have a good blend of experience and youth, and they are going quite well. They are well organised and have some nice patterns, so it was always going to be a tough game.
“But the lads are disappointed because I thought we dominated the second half,” added Abbott.
With regards the penalty appeals, Abbott said: “I’ve seen them given as penalties.
“As soon as Graeme Turner has gone up for the header, it looks as though he has a chance and it’s a free header. He’s had a bit of contact and been bumped in the box. That was unfortunate for us.”
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