Robson settling in well at Hall
Having arguably been Haverhill Borough's star man over the last couple of seasons, Jarid Robson is now making a big impression at a higher level with Step 4 outfit Mildenhall Town.
The midfielder was one of Borough's leading lights during their 2016/17 Thurlow Nunn League First Division promotion-winning campaign, finishing as the league's joint third-highest scorer with a return of 24 goals.
He also chipped in with a further nine goals in the Premier Division last term as ground-grading issues resulted in the Haverhill side being relegated, despite finishing above the drop zone.
However, rather than going down, Robson instead moved up in the summer after capturing the attention of Mildenhall boss Dean Greygoose.
He was an unused substitute during Mildenhall's Bostik League North Division season opener at home against Maldon & Tiptree, but having forced his way into the side next time out against early table-toppers Basildon United, Robson has become a virtual ever present.
He was named the Journal's Man of the Match during the recent 3-0 win over Dereham Town, and was also one of Mildenhall's stand-out performers during Saturday's 3-1 derby victory at Soham Town Rangers.
Speaking after that triumph at Julius Martin Lane, the former Borough skipper said: "It is a big step up and a big ask, but I have fitted in quite well with the team.
"I am just trying to keep my place every week and make sure the manager does not have a reason to take me out of the team.
"It has been really good so far. I feel like I have found a level that suits me.
"I did have some doubts because coming from a team that finished near the bottom of the Thurlow Nunn Premier, it is a big jump.
"The standards are completely different, but the players around me have really helped.
"Working with Dean and Sean (Greygoose, assistant manager), I feel like I have already become a better player, even in this short space of time.
"It is a big learning curve for me and I am trying to take everything on board."
The wins over Dereham and Soham were Mildenhall's first in the league this term following a run of four draws and two defeats.
It has propelled the team from third-from-bottom up to eighth in the table, and as far as Robson is concerned, the standard has now been set.
"We need to keep pushing on," he added.
"We have shown in the last couple of games just how good we can be, now it is about matching that every week."
As for himself, Robson is determined to break his goalscoring duck for the Recreation Way club.
Despite going close on a few occasions – most notably away at Witham Town and in the home matches versus AFC Sudbury and Dereham – the attack-minded midfielder is yet to find the back of the net in any of his 10 appearances.
"I should have buried one on Tuesday night (against Dereham)," he said.
"I scored more than 20 for Borough at Step 6 and did well last year despite missing the first few months of the season through injury.
"I see myself as a goalscoring midfielder, so to get off and running for Mildenhall would be good."
* For a report, reaction and pictures from Mildenhall's win over Soham on Saturday, see this week's Journal and Free Press print editions.
