Pre-season friendly

Haverfordwest County 3 – Swansea City Xl 2

Haverfordwest County edged a five-goal thriller against an extremely young Swansea City squad at the Conygar Bridge Meadow on Wednesday night.

A good crowd enjoyed a thrilling friendly against a talented Swansea City outfit. The Bluebirds deservedly led 2-0 at the break with striker Joe Leahy finding the back of the net twice. The Swans hit back with a goal after the break through their Spanish striker, Chico Pau. Chris O’Sullivan made no mistake from the penalty spot that gave them a 3-1 cushion, but the Swans replied through Jamie Loveridge a minute later to set up a tense finale.

Midway through the first period Bluebirds’ keeper Peter Blain spread himself brilliantly inside the box to deny Loveridge from opening the scoring for the Swans.

Joe scores twice

The Bluebirds broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with a well taken goal. A dreadful error in the Swansea defence allowed Steffan Williams to break clear, the right sided midfielder unselfishly squared the ball to Joe Leahy, the new striker calmly stroking into the far corner from eight yards out.

Leahy added a second goal just before half time. Richie Lewis won possession in the heart of midfield and split the defence with a precision pass that Steff Williams ran onto and again crossed for the striker to take a touch and finish coolly from close range.

Shortly after half time and the Swans had a goal disallowed for offside when Connor Roberts latched onto a parried Blain save and tucked the ball in the net.

Loveridge pulled a goal back ten minutes after the break when he showed good strength to fend off Bluebirds defender Sam Roden and score from a tight angle that went in off the post.

Spot on

The Bluebirds went 3-1 ahead when they were awarded a penalty after Swans keeper clattered Steff Williams and Bevan pointed to the spot. O’Sullivan placed the ball in the far corner and sent the keeper the wrong way.

Within a minute the Swans replied when a free-kick from outside the box was not dealt with by Blain and the striker Pau followed up to fire home the rebound into the roof of the net. The Bluebirds looked to have scored a fourth goal late on from an own goal but referee Bevan disallowed it.

Haverfordwest’s next game is at Aberystwyth on Saturday.

Haverfordwest County squad: Peter Blain; Ricky Watts; Sam Roden; Antonio Faccuito; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Phil Cattlin; Sean Pemberton;  Dylan Blain; Jack Britton; Chris O’Sullivan; Robert Morgans; Steffan Williams; Richie Lewis; Joe Leahy; Greg Walters; Jack Christopher; Bruno Forkuoh; Martin Carroll.

Swansea City squad: Lewis Moore; Oliver Davies; Connor Roberts; Tom Atyeo; Luke Llewellyn; Connor Peters; Kyle Copp; Keston Davies; Owain Jones; Chico Pau; James Loveridge; Steven Fallon; Jamie Latham; Dylan Thomas; Alex Samuel; Cameron Gilchrist; Cory Francis; Joseph Jones; Sam Evans; Henry Jones.

Referee: Tom Bevan.
Assistants: Kevin Bowen & Alan Boswell.

Match sponsor: K & S Taxis.
Ball sponsor: Nathan Thomas of ONE STOP Property Developers.

PHOTOS:
Chris O'Sullivan scores from the spot
Richie Lewis and Joe Leahy celebrate the striker's second goal
Steffan Williams terrorises Swansea City

Pictures: Joseph Kiff Photography