Haverfordwest County 4-1 Llanelli Town: Bluebirds move top after seeing off sorry Reds
Haverfordwest County moved to the top of the Championship South with a 4-1 victory over Llanelli Town at the Bridge Meadow.
Ben Fawcett, Kieran Howard, Kurtis Rees and an own-goal from Zac Brown gave the Bluebirds their league-topping victory.
Lee Bevan scored the Reds’ only goal as their poor form continues.
The Bluebirds move temporarily to the top of the Cymru South as they await the result of Briton Ferry versus Swansea University at Sketty Lane.
It was the Bluebirds fourth consecutive win whilst their counterparts from Stebonheath remain winless from seven games in which they have collected two points.
An insipid opening period where both teams were unable to impose themselves on the game allowed the experience of veterans Lee Bevan and Chris Thomas to guide a young Llanelli side through the local derby.
The game taking until the 26th minute to come to alive, albeit from a miss-hit cross from home midfielder Kurtis Rees which caught goalkeeper Kai Rees in no man’s land and drift into the top corner of the goal.
Haverfordwest showed more composure once they had the lead, Kieran Howard the central figure in the midfield which put runners Jack Wilson.
Ben Fawcett and Marus Griffiths in behind the visitors’ defence, a sustained period of pressure saw several corners and free kicks ensue, but Haverfordwest were unable to extend their lead before half time.
Fawcett did volley the ball home but after the match officials consulted, the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Both sides have young players learning their games, the full-backs for Haverfordwest, Miles John and Harri Rowe noticeable for their strong tackling and movement off the ball to overload the midfield.
Ricky Watts and Rees joining Howard to enjoy time on the ball, a yellow card awarded to Marcus Griffiths as referee Teifion Cook spotted a late challenge on the calf of Nathan Logan moments which had developed as the local derby atmosphere drifted onto the pitch.
If the first half was slow to start, the second had a contrasting viewing.
Goalscorer Rees bravely fell at the feet of Griffiths in the opening minute after Howard and Fawcett paved the way with some neat football, Howard seized on a bouncing ball to strike home into an unguarded net from twenty yards out.
Player-coach Chris Thomas protested too long and picked up a yellow card from the Neath based official.
The goalmouth incident fired up the Reds as just two minutes later, captain Lee Bevan opened their goal scoring account with a powerful header from a corner which saw him unchallenged.
Nathan Logan and Liam Samuel, Ryan Hurlow and Kyle Copp spurred opportunities as the Reds belief in their endeavours to get something from the game rose.
In the final quarter, Fawcett struck having cut in from the left flank to curl a right-foot shot into the far corner.
Tiredness grew as the result was in no doubt and the Bluebirds were content to play out the game time.
A somewhat flattering scoreline resulted for them when full-back Zac Brown’s misplaced his clearance beyond his goalkeeper with the last play of the game.
The two do battle once more at Stebonheath Park next Friday with the two sides hoping to make a number of new additions.
Haverfordwest waiting for international clearance on a goalkeeper safe in the knowledge midfielder Jack Britton will be available as his clearance has been received.
Haverfordwest County: Kyle Stuart, Miles John (Jake Merry, 81), Harri Rowe, Sean Pemberton, Kieran Howard, Scott Tancock, Ricky Watts, Kurtis Rees, Ben Fawcett, Marcus Griffiths, Jack Wilson (Nicky Palmer, 67)
Llanelli Town: Kai Rees, Liam Griffiths, Zac Brown, Chris Thomas, Lee Bevan, Joe Clarke, Nathan Logan, Morgan Cutler, Ryan Hurlow, Liam Samuel, Kyle Copp.
See how Haverfordwest County went top of the Cymru South here:
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell and Valleyboypics Photography)
