PHOTOS:
Luke Borelli scored the Bluebirds’ first goal
Kieron Howard scored the second with a brilliant strike
Nicky Palmer was industrious in centre midfield

Haverfordwest County 2 – Pontardawe Town 0

Two second half goals by Luke Borelli and Kieron Howard sealed a thoroughly deserved victory for Haverfordwest County against second from bottom Pontardawe Town.

This was a morale boosting victory for the Bluebirds who started the New Year off with three precious league points, a result that has kept them in the chasing pack for possible title honours.

After a goalless first period where the Bluebirds were well on top, manager Wayne Jones must have felt extremely frustrated that his lads didn’t take any of their scoring opportunities.

Territorially the home side were dominant and had the lion’s share of possession, but they were wasteful in front of goal.

Borelli strikes

However, shortly after the interval and the home outfit opened the scoring with an excellent finish by Borelli, the striker worked space outside the box and when he entered the area he struck a low drive into the far corner.

That goal inspired the Bluebirds as they began to play with an air of confidence as Greg Walters and Declan Carroll were introduced off the bench and the pair brought plenty of renewed energy to midfield, both Walters and Carroll surged forward and blazed shots wide, as the visitors were constantly pegged back.

The goal of the game was scored midway through the first half, as midfielder Kieron Howard looked up and struck an unstoppable rising shot from fully 25 yards that flew into the back of Steve Reeve’s net.

Bluebirds’ top scorer Jordon Folllows came on for the last quarter of an hour and he was unlucky not to add his name to the score sheet as struck a low shot inches wide.

Excellent game

Centre midfielder Nicky Palmer had an excellent game, working tirelessly and creating space for others as the Bluebirds kept pressing.

Ricky Watts had a fine game at right back, constantly making raids down the wing and placing some teasing crosses in the box, with Steffan Davies, who flashed a header into the side-netting.

The visitors didn’t real test home keeper Craig Morris as skipper Dale Griffiths, Sam Rodon and Sean Pemberton were solid at the back. Owen Thomas has also re-signed for the Bluebirds and his experience will surely be invaluable as they continue to push for the title in the second half of the season.

Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Antonio Facciuto; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Sean Pemberton; Kieron Howard; Nicky Palmer; Luke Borelli; Steffan Davies; Owen Thomas. Substitutes: Jordan Follows; Greg Walters; Declan Carroll.

Pontardawe Town: Steve Reeve; Cameron Harris; Daryl Jeffries; Luke Harris (Captain); Elliot Thomas; Niall Thomas; Alex Wild; Christian Evans; Kieron Howells; Liam Griffiths; Rhodri Dykes. Substitutes: Ian Jones; Kieron Williams; Gareth Glovier; Steve Hughes; Jonathan Habschmidt.

Referee: D. Beckett.
Assistants: P. McIntyre & P. Johns.