Welsh Premier League 25th April 2009

Bluebirds finish season with home victory over Neath

Haverfordwest County 2 goals - Neath Athletic 0

Haverfordwest County scored a goal in each half to overcome Neath Athletic at the Bridge Meadow and finish their league campaign on a positive winning note.

The home side were happy that they stopped their two-game losing streak, and as a result finished in a very respectable seventh in the Welsh Premier, on the same points as Bangor City in sixth.

The Bluebirds got off to a cracking start as they broke the deadlock in the very first minute. Bluebirds’ top scorer Jack Christopher headed right-sided midfielder Terry Evans’ cross at the second attempt home from six yards.

High winds and driving rain definitely didn’t assist the players, but Bluebirds’ central midfielder Bobby Briers played one of his best games for Derek Brazil’s home outfit.

The visitors pressed hard for an equaliser shortly after the break and Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Lee Idzi pulled off a good stop to deny Rob Spendiff.

Neil Thomas struck a 25-yard pile driver to give the Bluebirds a two-goal cushion 13 minutes from the end, that goal eased the Bluebirds’ worries, and earned them their 16 ^th win of a very satisfying season.

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi; Gareth Elliott; Dyfan Pierce; Craig Hanford; Lee Jarman; Paul Michael; Terry Evans (captain); Neil Thomas; Luke Bowen; Jack Christopher; Bobby Briers. Substitutes: Dylan Blain; Nicky Woodrow; Mike Hartley; Ricky Watts.

Neath Athletic: Wyn Walters; David Burrows; Stephen Hubbick; Sean Cronin; Kyle Graves; Jak Shannon; Luke Morgan; Dion Chambers; Mathew Rees; Rob Spendiff; Karl Shaw. Substitutes: Richard Igram; Richard French; Kerry Morgan.

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Welsh Premier League 17th April 2009

Rose proves thorn in Bluebirds’ side

Haverfordwest County 0 - Port Talbot Town 1

A first half strike by Martin Rose earned Port Talbot three valuable points over Haverfordwest County at the Bridge Meadow. The visitors impressively won their fourth win on the trot and it moves them up to fifth in the table as the hosts slip down to sixth. The only goal of the game came two minutes before the break; sharp striker Rose was given too much space on the edge of the area and finished clinically into the bottom corner. Bluebirds’ substitute Gareth Elliott came closest to scoring for the home side but his low hard effort was cleared off the goal-line shortly after the interval. The Bluebirds pressed hard for an equaliser – but visiting goalkeeper Kristian Rogers pulled off some terrific saves to keep a clean sheet. This was the Bluebirds’ second defeat in a row, and manager Derek Brazil will definitely want to finish the season on a high note when they face Neath at home in their last Welsh Premier game of the season.

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi; Terry Evans; Dyfan Pierce; Craig Hanford; Lee Jarman; Bobby Briers; Mike Hartley; Dylan Blain; Luke Bowen; Jack Christopher; Neil Thomas. Substitutes: Paul Michael; Nicky Woodrow; Gareth Elliott.

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Haverfordwest County AFC superb hosts for Welsh Cup Semi-Final

Haverfordwest County's Bridge Meadow Stadium was a hive of activity last Sunday when the Bluebirds hosted the Welsh Cup Semi-Final between Carmarthen Town and Aberystwyth which Aber won 3-2 in extra time.

The pitch looked a picture after hours of work in the week before by groundsman Rob Summons, who doubles up as chairman, with Barry Vaughan, Eddie and Jason Bunston, Kevin Haldane, plus Barry Webb also busy in the build-up to what was a prestige day for the Bluebirds since the match was televised live on S4C - and everyone was full of praise for the warm welcome and superb service provided by all at the club.

In brilliant weather the game was a good one to watch as fortunes ebbed and flowed - and even the misbehaviour of a few mindless visiting fans failed to deter everyone else from having a great day out because they were efficiently dealt with . So well done all the lads at the Bridge Meadow Stadium!

Young Bluebirds at the Bridge Meadow as ball boys for Welsh Cup Semi-Final.

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Welsh Premier League 11th April 2009

300 goals up for record breaker Marc Lloyd Williams

Porthmadog 2 goals - Haverfordwest County 1 goal

Haverfordwest County slipped to a disappointing away defeat at the hands of third from bottom of the table Porthmadog.

Despite gaining nothing from a poor performance the Bluebirds remain in fifth place in the Welsh Premier.

All the goals came in a lively second period. Ryan Davies scored the opener with a peach of a header from a corner. Vastly experienced Porthmadog striker Marc Lloyd Williams nipped in for his 22 ^nd goal of the campaign to put his side two up.

Incredibly that brought up a record-breaking 300 goals in 385 appearances in the Welsh Premier for the top predator.

The visitors showed true character to pull a goal back 10 minutes from the end. Jack Christopher set-up co-striker Woodrow who neatly chipped goalkeeper Richard Harvey from inside the box. The visitors could have stolen a point late on when a vicious Dylan Blain goal bound shot crashed off the woodwork.

Haverfordwest County: Lee idzi; Terry Evans; Bobby Briers; Craig Hanford; Lee Jarman; Neil Thomas; Kevin Morgan; Dylan Blain; Nick Woodrow; Jack Christopher; Dyfan Pierce. Substitutes: Mike Hartley; Luke Robinson; Luke Bowen.

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Welsh Premier League 7th April 2009:

Brilliant Blues bag big Mid Wales win

Aberystwyth 0 - Haverfordwest County 3

Two goals in a minute by bustling midfielder Neil Thomas helped Haverfordwest County gain a cracking win over Aberystwyth at Park Avenue which saw them move into fifth place in the Premier table, just three points behind old rivals Carmarthen Town.

There were no goals in an even first period where the home side found it hard to settle on a bumpy pitch and the Bluebirds fought back from the fourth-minute loss of right back Gareth Elliott after an injury sustained initially in the warm-up, with Mike Hartley coming on and Terry Evans reverting to the back four alongside Lee Jarman, Craig Hanford and Bobby Briers.

Jack Christopher and Nicky Woodrow combined well up front to keep home custodian David Roberts on his toes and although the scoresheet was still blank at half time it was Blues' manager Derek Brazil who would have been more pleased with the scoreline.

And Brazil would have been more delighted, as were the hardy band of 'Brazilian' supporters when dynamic midfielder Thomas pounced with such deadly effect in the 61st minute, powering his way down the middle and beating off three challenges before his shot took a slight deflection off a defender and looped over a stranded Roberts and into the home net.

If there was an element of good fortune in the first goal there was a touch of class about the second as Thomas picked the ball up some 25 yards out and slammed his drive past Roberts for a superb second goal.

Aber's Glyndwr Hughes did have a shot cleared off the line but the Blues made sure of the three points in the 88th minute when a route one ball from Idzi allowed Woodrow to use his pace after a good bounce to nod the ball into an empty net and set the seal on a famous win in Mid Wales.

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi: Gareth Elliott (Mike Hartley 4 mins); Lee Jarman; Craig Hanford; Bobby Briers (Luke Bowen 73 mins): Terry Evans; Dylan Blain; Neil Thomas; Dyfan Pierce: Jack Christopher (Luke Robinson 88 mins); Nicky Woodrow.

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Welsh Premier League 3rd April 2009

Late Jones' header steals victory for the Reds

 

Haverfordwest County 0 - Llanelli 1 goal

Stuart Jones’ 90th minute winner earned Llanelli a precious victory over Haverfordwest County at a rain soaked Bridge Meadow.

It was a cruel blow for Bluebirds’ manager Derek Brazil’s outfit as it ended their impressive three game winning run.

However, Peter Nicholas’ Reds have now won seven matches on the bounce as they closed the gap to within two points on leaders Rhyl.

After a goalless first half the Bluebirds can count themselves rather unlucky not to have taken the lead when striker Jack Christopher struck a post.

The game was an even affair but around the 80th minute the Bluebirds suffered a blow when they were reduced to 10-men when Kevin Morgan was sent off.

This top end of the table clash seemed to be heading for a draw but the visitors grabbed a crucial late winner when central defender Jones firmly headed home veteran substitute Gary Lloyd’s corner to pinch the points.

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi; Terry Evans; Bobby Briers; Craig Hanford; Lee Jarman; Gareth Elliott; Kevin Morgan; Dylan Blain; Neil Thomas; Jack Christopher; Paul Michael.
Substitutes: Nick Woodrow; Luke Robinson; Ricky Watts; Craig George.

Llanelli: Ashley Morris; Lee Phillips; Andy Legg; Steve Evans; Stuart Jones; Wyn Thomas; Jordan Follows; Antonio Corbisiero; Rhys Griffiths; Chris Holloway; Mark Pritchard.
Substitutes: Gary Lloyd; Andrew Mumford; Rory Smitham; Declan John.

Referee: Mr L James.
Assistants: Mr T Cook and Mr P B Fisher.

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Welsh Premier League 29th March 2009

Kevin kills off home hopes

Caernarvon Town 0 Haverfordwest County 1

Busy midfielder Kevin Morgan grabbed the only goal of Haverfordwest County's away match at Caernarvon in the 59th minute to seal victory for Derek Brazil's boys.

In a tight first half there were no goals although the Bluebirds looked a little sharper than their North Wales opponents for much of the period but were unable to turn possession into goals against the side bottom in the table having won only four and drawn six of their 28 starts - and with a goal difference of -35.

The County had some strong defensive play from Bobby Briers; Lee Jarman, Craig Hanford and Terry Evans in making sure that home strikers Marc Dermott and Kevin Molyneux had few chances to trouble Lee Idzi. There was also a strong display by referee Neil Morgan, who stopped play in the Bluebirds' goalmouth and awarded them a free kick for bad language used by a Caernarvon defender on half way - well done Mr Morgan!

Haverfordwest's Neil Thomas, Dylan Blain and Kevin Morgan never stopped running and it was Morgan who finally broke the deadlock when he beat home custodian Lee Guinlon after 59 minutes when a ball played in at the near post somehow evaded four players and fell nicely at the far post for Morgan to tuck his shot home.

Both sides had half chances but there was no further scoring as Caernarvon had a last-gasp 'equaliser' ruled out for offside, to the evident delight of the hardy band of 'Brazilians' who travelled to cheer on their team. So the Bluebirds' long journey to North Wales netted them a third 1-0 win on the trot - and three more welcome points in their quest for a top six place.

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi: Terry Evans; Lee Jarman; Craig Hanford; Bobby Briers: Kevin Morgan; Dylan Blain; Neil Thomas; Paul Michael: Mike Hartley; Jack Christopher.   Subs:   Gareth Elliott; Luke Robinson; Craig George.

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Welsh Premier League: 21st March 2009

Jumping Jack grabs late winner for County

Jack Christopher, hidden from view - scores the vital winner for Haverfordwest County against Newtown.

Picture:- supplied by Kevin Bryce .

Haverfordwest County 1 goal - Newtown 0

A late, late headed goal by ace striker Jack Christopher gave Haverfordwest County a hard-fought home win over a Newtown team that had played the better football until they were reduced to nine men and weren't quite able to hold out against a series of late attacks by the Bluebirds, which culminated in Christopher's vital goal.

It came after Dylan Blain had fired a shot wide, Neil Thomas had a shot cleared off the line by Newtown defender Shane Sutton and Luke Robinson's shot through a forest of legs was clutched by Newtown keeper David Jones before Neil Thomas had a shot saved by Jones and the ball rebounded for Christopher to soar above the opposition and send the ball into the top corner, despite Jones' despairing efforts to palm it clear.

Yet a home win seemed unlikely as Newtown looked far sharper in the first half, despite being below the Bluebirds in the table, with Bobby Briers clearing off the line from Criag Moses and blocking Craig Hutchinson when he looked likely to score.

Several players from both sides were booked before Newtown had Worton sent off for a bad tackle and then skipper Hutchinson followed in the dying stages for an aerial challenge out of the WWF wrestling manual - and the Bluebirds capitalised on their numerical advantage to secure the points in a game that will not rank as one of the best this season but brought a vital reward!

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi: Bobby Briers; Craig Hanford (Gareth Elliott); Lee Jarman; Terry Evans: Paul Michael (Luke Robinson); Dylan Blain; Neil Thomas (Craig George); Kevin Morgan: Jack Christopher; Mike Hartley.

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Welsh Premier League: 14th March '09

Super sub Jack scores Bluebirds’ winner

Prestatyn Town 0 - Haverfordwest County 1 goal

Super substitute striker Jack Christopher came on to score an important second half winner for Haverfordwest County at Prestatyn Town.

Top goal poacher Christopher, relegated to the bench, scored after only being on the pitch for five minutes. Kevin Morgan created the scoring opportunity with a brilliant solo run and his low hard shot was parried by home custodian Jonathan Hill-Hunt, only for deadly Christopher to gobble up the rebound and secure three precious points for the visitors.

Manager Derek Brazil was delighted with his side’s battling performance - especially after dropping two points a week earlier at home against Newi Cefn Druids.

Both teams finished the league tussle with 10-men as Prestatyn’s Ross Hannen and Bluebirds’ Dyfan Pierce were both issued red cards.

The Bluebirds are sixth in the league table and aiming to finish as far up the table as possible.

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi; Terry Evans; Dyfan Pierce; Craig Hanford; Lee Jarman; Bobby Briers; Mike Hartley; Dylan Blain; Neil Thomas; Kevin Morgan; Paul Michael. Subs: Gareth Elliott; Jack Christopher; Luke Robinson.