Micky's Pembrokeshire
page revision date :
McWhirter Cup Final:
Bluebirds shot down by West End
Haverfordwest County 1 - West End 4
Referee: Phil Davies (Swansea).
Assistants: Mike Jones & David Looney (both Ammanford).
Fourth Official: Mark Howells (Llanelli).
Venue: Afan Lido AFC.
Haverfordwest County’s talented young footballers endured the disappointment of defeat against a strong West End team at Afan Lido’s ground but the young Bluebirds can take real consolation from the fact that they were in with a chance of victory for much of this cup final.
The final margin certainly doesn’t do them any justice after they had taken the lead with a cracking goal by Rhys Dalling, could argue that the equaliser came from a dubious free kick decision, and they conceded three late goals after having key midfielder Alex Ouzman stretchered off right on half time after a collision with the seating area that wasn’t properly protected, and the powerful Ricky Watts having to leave the pitch with an ankle injury at a key time. Add the fact that they were already without three of their most influential players and it is easy to see that manager Steve Batty, assistant Mike Turpin and the players can hold their heads high in defeat – and in young Jack Britton they had a midfielder to watch out for in future.
Entertaining opening
An entertaining opening to the match saw West End’s big striker Drew Smitham, son of former Bluebirds’ favourite Donny, go close and at the other end Ricky Watts fired a free kick over the bar, as did West End’s Tom Harris. Haverfordwest’s stand-in keeper Scott Reid made a good save from Smitham and Ricky Watts tested Ben Lynch with a shot that bounced awkwardly but the keeper managed to push it away to safety.
The Bluebirds went agonizingly close as Vincent Atueyi put the ball in the danger zone but skipper Nathan Evans couldn’t quite direct the vital touch the right side of the post – but
Bluebirds grab the lead
Haverfordwest grabbed the lead nine minutes into the second half when Watts powered out of defence on a 50 yard run and his pass allowed Dalling to outpace his marker and rifle a low shot into the far corner of the net.
Six minutes later West End equalised after receiving a free kick and Smitham headed down for Sam Roden (the son of former Bluebird Chris Roden) to get the vital touch in a goalmouth scramble.
West End take control
The Swansea-based outfit looked strong and Scott Reid made another excellent save – but could do little to stop West End gaining the lead when Josh Hamer fired through a forest of legs to find the net.
It was the start of a bad period for Haverfordwest as Osian Wyn conceded an own goal under pressure, Tom Harris added a fourth goal for West End and Atueyi was red-carded for a comment made to the referee. Jordan Richards was another player stretchered off and although West End were worthy winners it was easy to feel sorry for Haverfordwest because they had good cause to believe that things hadn’t gone their way.
Haverfordwest: Scott Reid; Kristian Isaacs; Sean Seymour Davies; Osian Wyn; Jake Proctor; Alex Ouzman; Nathan Evans (Capt); Ricky Watts; Jack Britton; Rhys Dalling; Vincent Atueyi. Subs: Jordan Richards; Jordan Raymond; Mike Chandler.
West End: Ben Lynch; Sam Keefe; Ben Gallagher; Sam Roden; Richard Evans; Jack Midwinter; Samm Harrison; Tom Harris; Josh Hamer; Drew Smitham; Ashley Curtis. Subs: Christian Brooke; Alex Vaughan; Josh Hodgson; Rhys Mooney; Scott Jewell.
PHOTOS: Top to bottom.
McWhirter Cup.
Drew Smitham flicks a header on for West End.
Haverfordwest County Youth line up before kick off.
Cup final officials.
Pictures taken by Bill Carne of Pembrokeshiresport.co.uk
| 
