Stanway Rovers ended Mildenhall Town’s perfect start to the Ridgeons Premier League season with a 3-2 victory at Recreation Way.
Up until this fixture Mildenhall had defeated Woodbridge Town, Wroxham and Wisbech to go top of the table after three matches.
However, despite their superb start to the campaign, the writing looked to be on the wall for the hosts with just four minutes gone.
Visiting Rovers managed to find the net twice in this short space of time. First Ben Newson guided an effort beyond goalkeeper Josh Pope from 20 yards, and then captain Alex Drennan headed past Pope when left all alone inside the Mildenhall area.
Amazingly Mildenhall could and perhaps should have been have taken the lead before Rovers even got off the mark. John Sands rose highest inside a crowded box to meet a cross from David Cooper, but Tuesday’s hat-trick hero sent his headed effort just wide of Michael Church’s upright.
Despite the early two goal setback the home side regained their composure and were rewarded with 24 minutes played. Dave Werthman collected a cleared free kick and found Luke Catchpole on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder took one touch before curling in an inviting cross which Danny Partridge met with a firm header, leaving Church no chance from 12 yards.
With the spectators thinking this first half encounter couldn’t throw up any more drama, it did just a minute later. Goal scorer Partridge robbed keeper Church of possession and with the ball spinning goalwards Rover’s Drennan somehow got back to clear the ball off the line with the Mildenhall striker believing he had drew his side level.
Having seen his brother Ben get himself on the score-sheet during the frantic opening exchanges, Sam Newson went close to getting his name among the scorers but his header grazed the top of Pope’s bar before going over.
Sam did in-fact find the net with a clever downward header, but not until the 65th with the assist coming courtesy of brother Ben.
That goal looked to have ended the game as a contest, but Mildenhall rallied together and pegged Rovers back into their own half for lengthy periods.
Their pressure finally paid off with 15 minutes remaining. Partridge latched onto a through ball from Ryan Foster, only to be upended by Church and win his fourth penalty of the season. Steve Harley took the responsibility from 12 yards and calmly sent Church, who was booked for the foul he committed, the wrong way.
Mildenhall pressed hard for an equalizer and went agonizingly close to completing the comeback in stoppage time. A long throw from Karl Parish was flicked on by Harley and with the goal at his mercy, Sands failed to connect and claim what would have been a certain goal.
