Haverfordwest County moved to the top of the Cymru South with an impressive 3-0 win against STM Sports at Llanrumney 3G.
A Marcus Griffiths brace either side of a well-taken finish by Tim Hicks was enough to the see Bluebirds return west with a deserved three points.
The Mellons, usually so dangerous going forward, were nullified by a suffocating display from Wayne Jones’ men, who did not allow them the time and space to impose themselves in attack.
The result means the Bridge Meadow outfit hold a two-point lead over second place Swansea University, who were knocked out of the Welsh Cup by Cymru North leaders Prestatyn Town this afternoon.
Dale Gardiner’s side remain in fifth place, after missing the opportunity to leapfrog Ammanford into fourth.
In the previous league meeting between the sides, the Mellons ran out 4-1 winners, but there was no such gap in quality this afternoon.
In a fairly low-key first-half which saw both teams cancel each other out, the visitors got their noses in front five minutes before the break when Harri Rowe’s free-kick was flicked into the path of Griffiths, who was alert to the opportunity and stabbed the ball past Ben Boyer in the Mellons goal.
The goal clearly gave the Bluebirds confidence in the early stages of the second-half as they began to assert their authority, penning the hosts inside their own half as the press started to take effect.
Miles John, the full-back, went close to doubling County’s lead when the ball, initially missed by midfielder Kieran Howard, fell in to his path. His effort, which was destined for the bottom left corner, was well blocked by David Biggs.
Jones’ side were two goals to the good not long after, as the ball fell to Hicks and the forward fired his right-footed effort into the left corner to give his team some breathing space.
Boyer got down well to deny Jack Britton’s effort from finding the right corner, after the midfielder had tried his luck from distance.
The result was put beyond any doubt when a ball into the box from the left side found its way through to Griffiths who, again, showed his predatory instincts to poke home at the far post.
Chances proved to be few and far between for the below-par Mellons, with Calum Bateman and substitute Israel Mata having rare attempts on goal late on.
STM Sports can now look forward to next Saturday’s Nathaniel MG Cup final against Connah’s Quay Nomads, while the Bluebirds host Swansea University in a mouthwatering clash at the Bridge Meadow next Friday.
STM Sports: Benjamin Boyer, Hermon Yohanes, Riccardo Mackenzie, Tomas Rutherford, David Biggs, Thoma Frick (Marcus Jones 70′), Joe Evans (C), Josh Graham, Ben Ahmun (Sam Cawley 83′), Chris Worsley (Israel Mata 74′), Calum Bateman
Substitutes not used: Chris Hajgato, Diop Hamady
Haverfordwest County: Kelland Absalom, Miles John, Harri Rowe, Sean Pemberton (C), Kieran Howard, Scott Tancock, Ricky Watts, Jack Britton (Jake Merry 82′), Ben Fawcett (Jack Wilson 72′), Marcus Griffiths, Tim Hicks (Cory Saunders 85′)
Substitute not used: Kyle Stuart (GK)
Goals: Marcus Griffiths 40′ & 71′, Tim Hicks 55′
Yellow cards: Kieran Howard 7′, Thoma Frick 25′, Tim Hicks 49′, Jack Britton 80′, Marcus Jones 85′, Calum Bateman 86′, Jack Wilson 90′
Recap how the game unfolded:
(Featured Image: Mike James and Geraint Nicholas)
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