Haverhill's 2008/09 season started with a bump after going down to a strong Needham team, although the hosts played with ten men for most of the second half.

Marc Abbott gave Haverhill the lead, amongst good chances for Paul Jenkin and Craig Cutts, after 18 minutes when he brought the ball down, touched it wide of the closest defender and then put in a shot from the edge of the area, the ball deflecting off Rhys Barber and giving 'keeper Darren Smith no chance of making a save as he dove the wrong way.

The hosts equalised after 25 minutes through a dubiously awarded free kick, the ball in not being fully cleared and James Evans volleying the ball past 'keeper Ed Campbell to put his side on level terms.

A minute before the break the home side had the lead when a poor header by Jenkin gave the ball away on the right corner of the area; a low cross was put in and Tom Smith made space to his left before shooting past the helpless Campbell.

Four minutes after the break Tom Smith was sent off for Needham after receiving his second yellow card, the hosts taking a two goal lead in the 59th minute when Richard Butler, seemingly in an offside position, received the ball, crossed it in low from the right and substitute Danny Smy slid in to score in the roof of the net seven minutes after coming on.

The final goal came a minute into injury time when away substitute Jim Hollingsworth brought down fellow replacement Jon Sparkes in the penalty area, sub Paul Berry sending Campbell the wrong way with the spot kick.

ROVERS : Ed Campbell, Gareth Thomas, Ryan Holder, Neil Hammond, Jamie Challis, Joe Harvey, Marc Abbott, Mark Abbs, Paul Jenkin, Craig Cutts, Cody Frazier.
Subs : Jim Hollingsworth (for Neil Hammond, 75), Ryan Kent (for Craig Cutts, 80), Matt Crawley (for Cody Frazier, 58), Ben Cowling.
Goals : Marc Abbott (18).
Bookings : Marc Abbott (24, persistent infringement), Gareth Thomas (62, foul).
Red cards : None.

NEEDHAM : Darren Smith, Lewis Pemberton, Ben Wake, Kevin Horlock, Jack Wignall, Rhys Barber, James Evans, Richard Butler, Tom Smith, Glenn Snell, Danny Thrower.
Subs : Paul Berry (for Glenn Snell, 66), Jon Sparkes (for Danny Thrower, 80), Danny Smy (for James Evans, 52), Tom Agricole, Liam Jones.
Goals : James Evans (25), Tom Smith (44), Danny Smy (59), Paul Berry (90+1, penalty).
Bookings : Tom Smith (18, dissent and 49, foul), Jack Wignall (58, dissent), Danny Smy (58, unsporting behaviour).
Red cards : Tom Smith (49, two cautionable offences).