Having scored four goals in the space of 16 minutes against Needham Market just two weeks before, the youngster could hardly have imagined that he would not line up in a Rovers starting 11 again until Tuesday, February 24, 2009.

But after waiting so long he did not miss his opportunity as he fired Haverhill back into the Ridgeons League Premier Division survival race with a marvellous 17-minute hat-trick.

“It’s good for me because it’s my first start for five years,” said Banham.

“Hopefully I don’t have to wait another five to do it again. I had an ankle injury last summer and I was out for five months so I’m only just getting back to fitness now.”

Betts added: “If we had lost we would have been in deep trouble but we are now five points behind with two games in hand.”

Listen to the full post-match interview with Banham and Betts at www.haverhillecho.com

n Rovers will be without the suspended Marcus Hunt, Sam Holmes, Stuart Kingham and Neil Cogger for Saturday’s match with Dereham, which kicks off at Hamlet Croft at 3pm.

Everyone but Hunt should return for the trip to Histon Reserves the following Wednesday.