Micky's Pembrokeshire
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Woodrow hat-trick breaks Steelmen’s hearts
Haverfordwest County 4 – Port Talbot Town 1
Nicky Woodrow’s hat-trick deservedly earned Haverfordwest County victory over Welsh Premier outfit Port Talbot Town in a friendly at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
The impressive Bluebirds scored goals through a brilliant Woodrow hat-trick and late strike from Anton Owens. The well-beaten visitors scored a consolation penalty through substitute Olly Bowen.
The home side deservedly led 2-0 at half time in an entertaining clash. Both goals were scored by lively striker Nicky Woodrow who found the back of the net in the 18th and 36th minutes.
Hat-trick hero
The first goal was set-up by a pinpoint cross from David Evans from the left, which Woodrow stroked home from six yards.
Woodrow’s second goal was a brilliant effort, controlling the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and unleashing a terrific right-foot thunderbolt that crashed into the back of the net before the keeper could blink.
Early in the match County goalkeeper Martin Langdon produced a quality stop to deny the Steelmen's striker Chris Hartland from scoring. The visitors’ left-sided midfielder Richard Evans ballooned a shot from outside the box.
Impressive display
The opening 45 minutes was very impressive display by the home side. Gary Taylor orchestrated the middle of the park alongside Chris O’Sullivan. Richard Lewis and Woodrow kept the Steelmen’s back four on their toes.
The home side’s defence were all assured with the ball at their feet. Captain Gareth Elliott was strong in the middle alongside Phil Cattlin. Right back Simon Gilderdale didn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon and left back David Evans also had an an impressive afternoon.
Four minutes after the break Woodrow completed his hat-trick. Substitute goalkeeper Hilaire Moutemi dwelled on a back pass too long and Woodrow blocked his attempted clearance and had the simple task of placing the ball into an empty net.
Woodrow should have added a fourth but his shot was embarrassingly blasted well wide. Woodrow’s co-striker Richard Ryan was put through on goal and his right foot lob agonisingly went wide of the target when he really should have added to the Bluebirds’ tally.
The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute. Substitute goalkeeper James Manson brought down Olly Bowen in the box. Bowen dusted himself off and fired the ball down the middle and into the net.
The Bluebirds had the final say when Alex Galdo’s defence-splitting ball set-up Anton Owens, who cleverly slipped the ball past the advancing keeper for his team’s fourth.
Haverfordwest County’s next friendly is against a team from Championship club, Cardiff City, on Tuesday, 26th July, kick off 7.30pm.
Haverfordwest County: Martin Langdon; Simon Gilderdale; David Evans; Phil Cattlin; Gareth Elliott; Matthew Ellis; Nicky Woodrow; Gary Taylor; Richard Ryan; Chris O’Sullivan; Richie Lewis. Substitutes: Kristian Griffiths; Anthony Owens; Nathan Evans; Alec Squires; James Manson.
Port Talbot Town: Christian Rodgers; Nicky Holland; Richard Hughes; Lee Devolt; Lewis Harding; Gavin Jeffries; Lee John; Matt Crowell; Chris Hartland; Matthew Thompson; Richard Evans. Substitutes: Hilaire Moutemi; Max Webb; Olly Bowen; Gareth Phillips; Paul Reed; Wayne Goodridge.
Referee: Dai Barker.
Assistants: Adrian Harries & Tom Bevan.
PHOTO:
Bluebirds' hat-trick hero Nicky Woodrow goes on the attack closely followed by Port Talbot's left back Richard Hughes.
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