Three goals in four minutes see Bluebirds through

PHOTOS:
Greg Walters runs hard in the centre of midfield
Ashley Bevan crosses into the box

JD Welsh Cup

Haverfordwest County 3 - Undy Athletic 2

Three goals between the 83rd and 86th minutes saw Haverfordwest County move through to the third round of the JD Welsh Cup at the expense of a workmanlike Undy Athletic side which had taken the lead after 52 minutes but then went behind before claiming a late penalty as consolation for their efforts.

It proved to be the exact scoreline as the recent league match where The Bluebirds came back from a two-goal deficit and Haverfordwest County take their place in the next round where the Welsh Premier League teams are included.

No goals in quiet first half

The first half lacked much in terms of goalmouth action from The Bluebirds as co-manager Chris O’Sullivan was forced to retire early with back problems and Nicky Palmer took his place.

Giles Thompson and Paul Clayton blocked their path to goal so that keeper James Smallcombe had a relatively quiet time, other than when a superb left-flank cross from Ashley Bevan had Smallcombe back-pedalling but Rhys Dalling was unable to stretch enough for a header.

At the other end, though, James Gwilt was forced to make excellent saves from Marcus Power, Nathan Wood and especially Dan Morgan from a free kick.

Undy Power into the lead – but The Bluebirds fight back . . .

The Bluebirds made a better start to the second half as Ashley Bevan sent his marker the wrong way and flashed a wicked left foot drive inches wide of the far post – but then Marcus Power opened Undy’s account with some neat work on the right and a delightful chip which for once left Gwilt stranded.

And that is the way the scoreline stayed until the 83rd minute, when a Matthew Broome free kick found Sean Pemberton lurking in a goalmouth melee and his well-struck left foot volley was deflected into the net.

. . . And fire home more goals!

No sooner had The Bluebirds stopped celebrating than they were in front as Steffan Davies was hauled down in the box and Antonio Facciutto was entrusted with the penalty.

The full back made a real hash of the spot-kick as he drove it straight at Smallcombe but the keeper was so surprised he could only parry the ball and a relived Facciutto tucked the ball home!

Even worse was to follow for Undy as two minutes later a clever through ball by sub Steff Williams allowed Steffan Davies to find the net, to the evident delight of the hardy band of home supporters!

Even then there was still time for a little more drama as Power was upended in the box and midfielder James Barnes slammed the ball into the roof of the net – but The Bluebirds refused to do what Undy had done and moved into round three as their reward.

Haverfordwest County: James Gwilt: Matthew Broome; Sean Pemberton (Capt); Stefano Antoniazzi; Antonio Facciutto: Kieran O’Brien; Chris O’Sullivan; Gregg Walters; Ashley Bevan: Rhys Dalling; Steffan Davies. Substitutes: Stefan Williams; Nicky Palmer; Spencer Williams; Rhydian Davies.

Undy Athletic: James Smallcombe: Rhys Aherne; Giles Thompson; Paul Clayton; Dan Morgan: Ben Lawrence; Nathan Wood; James Barnes; Daniel Jarman: Marcus Power; Gareth Cullimore. Substitutes: Jordan Rathbone; Ben Roberts; Dean Merrett; Tom Wright.

Referee: Ryan Kenny
Assistants: Ben Williams and Keith Amos