Halstead Town 1 Haverhill Rovers 0

After a good result midweek Haverhill Rovers made the short trip to Halstead looking to build on this with a win in the FA vase.

Rovers looked bright early on as a good ball from Shinn put Longley in behind the Halstead defence but his touch was heavy and the ball ran safely through to the home keeper Luke Banner.

Halstead then enjoyed a good spell of pressure as they forced a number of corners and it was from one of these that they managed to take the lead when some lapse Rovers defending allowed a free Halstead header that went in via the underside of the bar as the ball just found its way over the line.

Rovers looked unsettled for a long period after this as they were guilty at times of trying to force the play resulting in a loss of possession as their passing game from their midweek victory seemed a distant memory as the game became scrappy and at times a bit messy with some heavy late tackles before Rovers finally started to pass the ball with a purpose as they created two good chances with Alleyne going close from a corner and Baker heading just over from a Shinn free kick.

The second half started with the Rovers looking a far better team as they began to find passing combinations but still the final ball into the box eluded them as they failed to create any clear cut chances to trouble the keeper. Halstead worked hard to frustrate as they put men behind the ball whilst picking up a number of yellow cards before former Rovers players Elkins was shown a red card after a heavy challenge on his former boss Shinn creating a tense finish to the game as Rovers piled on the pressure with chances from Baker and Longley seeing Banner make comfortable saves.

Halstead with ten men did well to retain the ball in safe areas while also using opportunities to stop the game and allow them to get men behind the ball as they frustrated Rovers through to the end and booked their place into the next round.

TEAM: Archer, Kicks, Gardner, Shinn, Farrant, Wilderspin (Hunt 65), Newnes (Moody 79), Baker, Weaver (Sigler 71), Alleyne, Longley

Subs not used: Holmes