Nathaniel MG Cup – Round 3

 

Haverfordwest County 4 – Swansea City Under 21s 1

 

Haverfordwest County overcame ten-man Swansea City Under 21s to reach the last eight of the Nathaniel MG Cup which was played under lights at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Wednesday evening.
 
The experience of the Haverfordwest County outfit told in the end against the exuberance of the young Swans.  Owain Jones scored with a well taken header which gave his team a narrow 1-0 cushion at half time. Greg Walters doubled his side’s lead in the second period before Thomas Woodward pulled one back, matters got worse for the visitors as Ramon Rees-Siso received his marching orders for a second yellow card offence, the hosts took advantage of the extra man as they scored further goals through Luc Owen (first senior goal) and a Ben Ahmun curler which secured victory.
 
Haverfordwest County made three changes to their starting lineup – Ifan Knott replaced goalkeeper Luc Rees also skipper Dylan Rees (back from injury) and Owain Jones came in for Panashe Makwiramiti and Ben Fawcett.
 
In an end to end first period Alaric Jones came close to opening the scoring early as he headered Corey Shephard’s corner goal bound, before the centre back struck the rebound over the bar.
 
Josh Pescartore struck a 25 yard effort which didn’t trouble home keeper Ifan Knott, minutes later Tom Woodward also missed following an ambitious 25 yard effort.
 
At the other end, Owain Jones struck a dangerous  ball across the face of goal which Dan Hawkins lifted over Evan Anderson and over the bar.
 
Haverfordwest County broke the deadlock in the 18^th minute as Ben Ahmun’s excellent cross is met with an excellent Owain Jones’ header which found the far corner of the net.
 
Swans’ Daniel Watts’ edge of the box free kick came off  County’s wall and went behind for a corner.
 
Ahmun broke into the box before unselfishly squared to Jones, but superb defending by Blair McKenzie snuffed out the opportunity.
 
The dangerous Ramon Rees-Siso struck his shot wide from the edge of the 18 yard area, Greg Walters took a knock which needed treatment, but the midfielder was ok to continue.
 
Left wing back Rhys Abbruzzese let fly from distance which agonizingly missed the target, minutes later Zachary long range effort flew over the bar.
 
Five minutes after half time Ahmun struck a wicked 30 yarder which crashed against the bar, minutes later Jones’ audacious lob nearly caught Evan Anderson out as the Swans keeper gathered back tracking.
 
The hosts kept knocking on the door for a second goal, on the hour mark Abbruzzese’s left-footed free kick narrowly missed after Hawkins was fouled.
 
The Bluebirds added a second goal in the 68^th minute as substitute Ben Fawcett made an immediate impact as set up Greg Walters who calmly slotted past Anderson.
 
Credit to the young Swans they pulled a well taken goal back through Thomas Woodward, but Rees-Siso picked up his second yellow card of the tie and was sent off for an early shower.
 
County took full use of the numerical advantage as they grabbed two further quick fire goals through substitute Luc Owen and striker Ahmun to put the gloss on a thoroughly deserved victory.
 
This Saturday, Haverfordwest County travel to north Wales to play Colwyn Bay in the JD Cymru Premier – kick off is at 12.30pm.
 
Haverfordwest County: Ifan Knott, Dylan Rees (Captain) (74’ Panashe Makwiramiti,), Rhys Abbruzzese, Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts (80’ Thomas Shepherd), Corey Shephard, Dan Hawkins, Greg Walters (74’ Luc Owen), Owain Jones (63’ Ben Fawcett), Iori Humphreys, Ben Ahmun.
Substitutes not used: Luc Rees, Ashley Watkins, Hari Thomas.
 
Swansea City Under 21s: Evan Anderson, Thomas Searle, Zachery Jeanes, Daniel Watts (Captain) (84’ Callum Deacon), Blair McKenzie (83’ Carter Heywood), Sebastian Dabrowski (84’ Caio Ifans), Joshua Pescatore (84’ Billy Clarke), Thomas Woodward, Morgan Bates, Yori Griffith, Ramon Rees-Siso.
Unused substitute: Brogan Popham.
 
Referee: Jordan Harman.
 
Assistants: Peter Sheils & Michelle Portelli.
 
Fourth Official: Sam Lloyd.
 
Referee Observer: John Davies.
 
 
Swansea City Under 21 players with Pembrokeshire connections
 
The Swansea City Under 21 squad featured two players in their squad who have Pembrokeshire connections – 18-year-old attacking midfielder Ramon Rees-Siso from Haverfordwest who signed professional forms this summer was in the starting line-up against Haverfordwest County.
 
On the bench was 16-year-old Carter Heywood who comes from Tenby and attended Ysgol Greenhill - the centre back who started at Haverfordwest County Academy before he moved to the Swans - has progressed to captain of Wales at Under 15 and Under 16 levels.