A young Great Yarmouth Town team recorded an excellent win at Haverhill Borough on Saturday.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Town's 17-year-old goalkeeper Connor Milligan clears the danger. Picture: KEVIN FORBESGreat Yarmouth Town's 17-year-old goalkeeper Connor Milligan clears the danger. Picture: KEVIN FORBES (Image: Archant)

The depleted Bloaters were up against a side who had been told that they were to be relegated from the Premier Division despite sitting above the relegation zone.

The league have decided their facilities do not meet the requirements for a Step Five club and therefore the club will be demoted.

For the visitors Kyle Howell returned as did young goalkeeper Connor Milligan along with fellow youth team players Ford, Urry, Palmer, Hagan, Lopes and Gallant.

The Bloaters kicked off on the immaculate artificial surface and settled well and on 20 minutes struck the first blow. Haydn Davis picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and found himself a yard of space before firing in a 20 yard shot that went in off the post.

Milligan then made a couple of good saves but the lead lasted for only six minutes as Staines finished well to put the hosts level.

As the half-time break loomed the Bloaters mounted a swift attack that found Holmes in space and his powerful effort was parried back to the edge of the area to Kieran Hagan whose firmly struck shot found the bottom corner.

With the rain subsiding the home side started the second half the brighter and Milligan, who only recently turned 17, was called upon to make a couple of vital saves.

Youth player Tyler Lopes came on to replace Miles Palmer and had a glorious chance to make the game safe in the 75th minute when a quick counter-attack put the youngster through, but his shot was well saved.

Milligan again made a great save before Davis fired in a powerful shot that whistled over, and with five minutes left the keeper was the hero again, tipping a powerful shot over the bar.

The killer goal for the Bloaters came with three minutes left. Davis made space in midfield and played a fine pass into Lewis who shrugged off a couple of defenders before firing over a cross which was met on the volley by Lopes who gleefully thumped in his first goal for the first team.

Whilst the scoreline somewhat flattered the Bloaters, this was a determined performance from the young visitors who had responded well to a disappointing midweek performance against Saffron Walden.

Great Yarmouth Town: Milligan, Howell, Ford, Bartram, Ager (capt), Urry, Palmer, Lewis, Holmes, Davis, Hagan. Subs: Lopes, Bishop, Gallant.