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2018/19 - 2018/19
Old Road
Attendance 0
22 Dec, 2018 - 2:30:00 PM
Match Score : 0-3
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Briton Ferry
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Haverfordwest County
Match Report
BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL .. 0 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 3
By ROBERT NISBET
This game, against resolute opposition and in poor conditions, saw the Bluebirds tough out the difficult early stages before gaining increasing control in the second half and clinching the win with three well-worked goals.
The ground staff had done extremely well to get the game on at all after the week’s rain but the Old Road surface was a very tricky one. Then matters were complicated for the Blues when they had to make two substitutions in the first 25 minutes as Kaid Mohamed and Alaric Jones had to limp off. Both sides struggled get really penetrating attacks together in the first half although Lee Trundle did send in a 4th minute lob which had the keeper stretching to turn it over the bar, and a neat back-heel of his sent Danny Williams clear but Danny failed to convert as the keeper blocked well a one-on-one chance.
The Blues’ key players at this stage were their defenders. Sean Pemberton was again outstanding in a back four which, despite a re-organisation when Leon Luby came on for Jones, got a grip on the Reds’ attack which was to keep their goal secure for the ninety minutes. The home team attacked frequently and at speed, but were having to rely on shooting from range. Steve Hall made two good close-range saves, made several good collections from crosses, and on the one occasion he had to punch punched strongly and well. So the Reds never found a way through.
The turning point came in the first minute of the second half when Pemberton sent a big pass over the top and WILLIAMS raced in from the left to crash in a superb low shot from a very narrow angle. From then on the Bluebirds began to impose themselves and their passing on the home side. The second goal, in the 58th minute, came when Elliot Scother took a free kick 30 yards out. The kick was in a dead central position making the angle a difficult one but Scotcher was able to curl a fine ball away to the left for PEMBERTON to crash in a really fine angled and looping header. The third goal, in the 80th minute, came when Trundle was sent through by a quick short pass from midfield, beat the defender and squared for BEN FAWCETT to drive in.
The Bluebirds’ next game is away to Ton Pentre on Friday next, 28th December.
Haverfordwest: Steve Hall; Ricky Watts; Tim Hicks; Sean Pemberton; Alaric Jones (Leon Luby, 25); Elliot Thomas; Danny Williams; Elliot Scotcher; Ashley Bevan (Tom Dyson, 70); Lee Trundle; Kaid Mohamed (Ben Fawcett, 10).
Sub not used: Jack Wilson, Mark Davies.