Bluebirds score five goals to secure win and return to Welsh Premier
PHOTO:
Sam Rodon takes a shot in an earlier league game on the Bridge Meadow, and the centre back scored the vital header for the fifth goal at Aberdare Town that sees Haverfordwest County return to the Welsh Premier against all the odds.
Aberdare Town 0 – Haverfordwest County 5
Haverfordwest County have sealed a brilliant five-goal victory at Aberdare Town; a result that has secured a return to the Welsh Premier after a four-year absence from the top flight.
Wayne Jones’ team came into their last game of the season knowing that they had to win by five clear goals to finish second in the table, and they achieved their aim with a fantastic display - and have pipped Cardiff Met to the promotion place on goal difference. Careau Ely had already claimed the title, but they don’t have the criteria to go up.
Healthy lead
An early brace by Luke Borelli, with further goals by skipper Dale Griffiths, Steffan Williams and Sam Rodon, sealed their Welsh Premier fate.
The Bluebirds led 3-0 at half time, Borrelli scored in the 7th and 10th minutes, plus skipper Dale Griffiths was on target with the third on the 30-minute mark.
After the break, Steffan Williams slotted in the fourth in the 61 st minute, before talented centre back Sam Rodon headed home the all-important fifth in the 71 st minute.
Against the odds
This was definitely a result against the odds, but the Bluebirds never do things the easy way. It looked as if they were going to agonisingly miss out again, but cometh the hour, cometh the men, as they scored the exact number of goals required to secure promotion to the Welsh Premier.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Antonio Faccuito; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths; Kieron Howard; Greg Walters; Declan Carroll; Steffan Williams; Steffan Davies; Luke Borelli. Substitutes: Sean Pemberton; Nicky Palmer; Gwion Howell; Dan Evans.