Haverhill Rovers manager Ben Cowling praises players’ mentality as they move closer to Thurlow Nunn League First Division North title

Manager Ben Cowling has praised the ‘superb mentality’ of his Haverhill Rovers players after they took another step towards clinching the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North title last weekend.

Trailing 1-0 to Leiston Under-23s heading into the break at The New Croft, not for the first time this season Rovers left it late to secure all three points.

James Seymour equalised just after the hour mark before Adden Tokley scored the winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

Just 14 more points are now required to guarantee that Rovers will be crowned champions – and Cowling has highlighted the team’s ‘ability to keep going’ until the final whistle as one of the main contributing factors to the ever increasingly likely success.

“We had a little bit of an availability issue due to injuries and suspension for the first time in a while but that takes nothing away from Leiston,” said Cowling.

“They beat us earlier in the season, they were very good in the opening 20 minutes at the weekend and they missed a couple of chances to add to their goal.

“But it just goes to show that the mentality within our group is superb. We dug deep and managed to get another important three points.

“It’s the eighth time this season that we’ve picked up points in the 85th minute or later. We’ve turned five draws into wins and three losses into draws during that time, which shows that we have the ability to keep going in matches.”

But despite his side’s favourable situation, Cowling is not getting carried away.

A number of their remaining eight fixtures are against sides in and around the play-offs – and the manager is aware that as champions elect, his team are there to be shot at.

He added: “We’re knocking the games off one by one and that’s how it has to be.

“No disrespect to Leiston or any of the other sides we’ve faced recently but we’ve just had a run against teams in 16th, 17th and 18th – now our run-in gets tougher.

“We’ve got plenty of challenges to come and when you’re setting the standard like we have for most of the season, teams will see you as a scalp.”

With no fixture scheduled this weekend, Rovers are next due in action on March 1 when they travel to Wivenhoe Town.

And they will do so without the services of Jarid Robson after he returned to Mildenhall Town following a brief dual registration stint.

Robson scored three times during his four appearances, including a brace in the recent derby victory over Haverhill Borough.

“Jarid has been brilliant for four games but he’ll go back to Mildenhall now,” said Cowling.

“It was a deal that suited all parties as he came back from an injury.

“I’d say it worked out for everyone. He’s been terrific for us on and off the pitch.”