The Hamlet Croft outfit tasted their first victory in five with a 3-0 win over Long Melford in the Ridgeons League Cup on Tuesday, sporting a side that had an average age of just 23 years and 48 days.

And Richardson praised them for their attitude as they strive to move the Reds away from the lower reaches of the Ridgeons Premier table, starting at home to second-bottom Whitton United this weekend.

"The reality is we are playing at a higher level come Saturday and whether we can repeat that is another matter," the assistant boss told the Echo on Wednesday. "Last night at that level they looked good young players and acquitted themselves really well.

"They are coming into a situation where they are having to be developed in a league above themselves.

"If we were playing in the first division with those young players they could develop well."

Harry Halls was one of those young players who impressed by scoring twice, including a spectacular first, while Ross Elkins, Simon Newnes and Sam Holmes, all 20, are other youngsters to have featured prominently for Haverhill.

And it will be up to the youngsters, along with the more experienced players Stuart Kingham and Paul Jenkin, to get results in two important games against Whitton on Saturday and at Ely City on Tuesday.

Richardson said: "Whitton have not had the best of starts either but if you look at their results they have scored goals and that's the difference.

"If you look at our side I just wonder if we have enough goals in us."

Craig Cutts, Rovers' main source of goals this season with four goals in nine games, is likely to be missing again as he tries to reach full fitness after suffering an ankle injury, leaving Paul Jenkin to lead the line alone again with the support of young wide players such as Halls and Ryan Kent.

"Craig's been playing at 75 per cent and feels he's not done himself or the team justice," said Richardson.

"He needs to get to 100 per cent otherwise he'll be carrying on at 75 per cent."

n Haverhill's match with Stanway Rovers, that was postponed because of the serious knee injury suffered by Lee Hurkett will be replayed on October 28, the Ridgeons League announced this week.