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Coggeshall Town extended their lead at the top of the league with another solid performance at West Street against Haverhill Borough who had beaten them earlier in the season. For the first time this season conditions had more of a wintery feel to them with a strong wind blowing across the pitch making the temperature feel very cold.

The game got underway with both teams starting well in what looked likely to be a competetive match up, Coggeshall were edging the possession but Haverhill looked dangerous when going forward. The opening goal came around the half hour mark after Tom Monk continued his fine goal scoring record this season after he got away from his marker to cut inside and finish well firing across the Haverhill keeper. It was probably what ” The Town ” deserved as they had looked the more likely to take the lead. However the lead didn’t last long as only minutes later a ball into the Coggeshall penalty area wasn’t cleared properly and a Haverhill player headed home from close range to level things up. Coggeshall continued to press after the equaliser and forced several chances to get back ahead but it needed a penalty to put them ahead again. A excellent ball which split the Haverhill defence from Matt Southwell sent Tom Monk away who was brought down inside the box as he was about to shoot on goal, this foul led to the Haverhill defender being sent off and Coggeshall being awarded a spot kick which Nnamdi Nwachuku dispatched well to give the home side the advantage again. Goal number 3 followed quickly with Monk again the provider crossing in for Nwachuku to finish well for his second of the match. Coggeshall were looking very much in control now and Haverhill looked happy to get to half time only 3-1 down.

Coggeshall started the second half looking in the mood to go on a add to their goal tally with some great play going forward. It took a while for goal number 4 but it eventually came after some good defending from the Haverhill backline had kept Coggeshall out, but they could nothing to stop Nwachuku completing his hatrick after he finished well after a assist from Danny Scott. The pace of the game slowed dramatically after that as the result was in no doubt and ” The Town ” seemed content to keep the ball away from the opposition. There was time for one more goal with Monk getting his second of the day with a great volleyed finish from just inside the box to round off the scoring.

It was a very good team performance all round but midfielders Luke Clark, George Cocklin and Matt Southwell dominated all game backed up by Josh Dalziel in the centre of defence to keep things tight and Nwachuku and Monk up front caused problems all afternoon.

There is no midweek action this week but the team are at home again next Saturday when Debenham are the visitors.

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