Haverfordwest County 6-1 Cefn Druids – Bluebirds punish woeful Druids
Haverfordwest County defeated rock bottom Cefn Druids at the Bridge Meadow 6-1, striker Ben Fawcett grabbing a 112 First Aid man of the match brace of second half goals to give manger Nicky Hayen a winning home debut, the Bluebirds first at home since October.
The opening exchanges centred around the offensive play of home strikers Fawcett and Sissay, the former having the best opportunity as he out paced the defence only to see his left foot strike saved by Jones in the visitors goal on 15 minutes.
Scotchers free kick from the edge of the box midway through the half was headed powerfully goalward by the inform Sissay, which Jones saved well again in goal, Wilson following up saw his header thump back off the bar before skipper Rees had his right foot drive saved by Jones again.
Scotcher also had a number of telling corners into the mixer, Patten and Sissay unable to gain purchase as the home side dictated both possession and territory, Wilson and Davies enjoying space on the left as late replacement Kurtis Rees (for Watts in the warm up) was pulling the strings across midfield, Druids midfielder Flint collecting a yellow card off referee McInch on 37 minutes.
The sides reached half time goalless as driving rain failed to quell the home side dominance, former Welsh international Jazz Richards replaced on 42 minutes by Ryan George.
The second half started with a bang, Fawcett directing in a right foot shot within a minute of the restart after his former Milford Schoolmate Wilson headed the ball across the penalty area into his path, Antionio then equalising within 65 seconds as Thomas made quick ground and his shot cross squirmed into the path of the frontman off goalkeeper Idzi.
Jordan Davies put Haverfordwest back in front on 52 minutes, ghosting in at the far post to round keeper Jones and plant the ball into an empty net. The game at this stage was both crisp and committed, McInch having an empathy to keep the game flowing which endeared the referee to the crowd.
Fawcett, Wilson and Davies were continual offensive threats for Haverfordwest, prepared to run from deep with directness, which caused alarm in the Druids defence which had to turn on a greasy surface after an hour of incessant rain, Wilson driving wide after Fawcett combined with George to set him up.
Wilson did score on 70 minutes with a sweet right foot volley, arriving from the left to meet Fawcett’s pin point cross after Sisay cleverly played him in and the 112 First Aid man of the match sped beyond the defence to cross from the byline.
Danny Williams replaced Davies for the home side two minutes later at the same juncture Druids took off Thaine and Flint to be replaced by Hanley and Smith, the Bluebirds oozing with confidence, Fawcett making it four on 72 minutes before he was set for a hat trick after a forceful run into the penalty box saw the ball struck home by his strike partner Sissay to make it 5-1.
Fawcett put substitute Williams clear on 84 minutes, the on loan Cardiff City frontman just missing the target with a bending strike, Williams rounding off a move just before full time after Fawcett created space to set up Kurtis Rees who back heeled cleverly into the path of Williams who rounded a hapless Jones.
It was the final action of a dominant home display, historians rummaging swiftly to find the last time the Bluebirds netted six times in the top flight of Welsh football, former Secretary Barry Vaughan pointing to
a game when Tim Hicks netted five times in a resounding 6-0 success v Connah’s Quay Nomads in 2009.
A delighted home manager spoke to @JonTSports post match
https://twistedwave.com/audio_files/580941/52552264125da7553cdbcdcb0c311f65
HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY
Idzi, Richards (George), Scotcher, D. Rees (c), C Rees; Shepherd; Fawcett; Patten; Sissay (Hughes), Wilson (Jones A), Davies (Williams);
Substitutes not used: Jones Z; Jones A; George; Williams; Humphreys, Hughes; Worley;
Goals
Fawcett (2); Sissay; Wilson; Davies
CEFN DRUIDS
Jones ©; Buckley; Mooney; Thomas; Flint (Smith); Neto Antonia; Thain (Edge); Lambert; Garratt; Torres; Evans
Substitutes not used:
Williams; Edge; Williams; Hanley; Smith
Yellow Cards
Flint (37)
Goals
Antonio
REFEREE
Alex McInch
ASSISTANT REFEREES
James Shiels & Bryn Jones
4th OFFICIAL
Richard Harrington
