Bluebirds earn a draw in an incredibly high scoring affair at Ely
Caerau Ely 5 – Haverfordwest County 5
Haverfordwest County came from behind on five occasions to earn a precious point at second in the table Caerau Ely at their Cwrt-yr-Ala Ground in Heol Trelai.
This was certainly an entertaining tussle following a three week festive break, the visitors will be happy that they earned a draw in Cardiff, but to concede five goals will be disappointing. Having said that, The Bluebirds showed plenty of character not to throw in the towel and at the final whistle earn a draw.
Caerau Ely led 2-0 with on 19 minutes on the clock as Rameer Outlaw and Andrew Smith scored for the high-flying homesters.
Bevan scores
However, the Bluebirds responded when Ashley Bevan struck from 15 yards and made it 2-1 in the 40
th minute, whilst two minutes later Steffan Williams equalised so that the score stood at 2-2 at half time.
After the break Ely restored their lead when Liam Pika struck his side’s third goal, but in the 71
st minute the visitors levelled after a goalmouth scramble saw Lee Hudgell applying the scoring touch.
Outlaw added a fourth as Ely led 4-3, but the visitors squared matters with a superb goal when Rhys Dalling released Greg Walters and the midfielder fed striker Steffan Davies, before the striker showed good strength to beat two defenders and round keeper Scott James.
Controversial penalty
In the 83
rd minute Ely were awarded a controversial penalty that Curtis Hutson made no mistake from 12 yards to give his side a slender 5-4 cushion.
But two minutes later the visitors equalised and salvaged a point when Greg Walters fired home a low right footed shot in the far corner. Right at the end the homesters were reduced to ten-men when goalkeeper Scott James was sent off for kicking out at a Bluebirds’ player.
Next Saturday, 14
th January, Haverfordwest County entertain Risca United in the Nathaniel MG Welsh League Cup quarter final, and the kick-off is at 2pm.
Haverfordwest County squad: James Gwilt; Steffano Antoniazzi; Sean Pemberton; Antonio Facciuto; Greg Walters; Lee Hudgell; Kieran O’Brien; Rhys Dalling; Jamie Evans; Steffan Williams; Steffan Davies; Ashley Bevan; Nicky Palmer; Matthew Broome; Chris O’Sullivan.
PHOTO:
Greg Walters scored a late equaliser for The Bluebirds in Cardiff