Bluebirds’ fight back to gain an unlikely point
PHOTO:
Steffan Williams came off the bench to score twice and earn Haverfordwest County a draw at home against Goytre United
Haverfordwest County 3 – Goytre United 3
Haverfordwest County came from three goals down to snatch an unlikely draw against Goytre United at the Conygar Bridge Meadow after three substitutions by manager Wayne Jones paid dividends.
The Bluebirds’ promotion push was dealt a severe blow as they could only draw, but manager Wayne Jones would have been pleased that his side showed character to pull back a three-goal deficit and pinch a point when all looked lost.
Three-goal cushion
The visitors opened the scoring in the 13
th minute when Adam Orme looped a shot over Craig Morris, the keeper misjudging the flight and helping the ball into the net.
Former Bluebird striker Darren Griffiths had the better of his brother central defender Dale, adding further goals in the 13
th and 36
th minutes that gave the visitors a commanding three-goal cushion at half time.
Shortly after the break Griffiths was denied a hat trick as he found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed as referee D. Morgan blew up for a push inside the box.
Sub Steff strikes
Substitute Steff Williams pulled one back in the 59
th minute, with a low right footed drive from the edge of the area – a quality finish.
United goalkeeper Luke Martin denied Chris O’Sullivan, who struck a powerful drive on target, and O’Sullivan was again involved with a free kick into the box which caused mayhem and in the resulting melee Sam Rodon toe poked over the top of a crowd of players and into the far top corner.
At this stage, Declan Carroll, back from playing in Mexico, almost totally ran the show for the Bluebirds alongside Walters and they forced Goytre United onto the back foot.
The visitors were reduced to ten-men in the 73
rd minute when United’s central defender Joseph Clarke clattered Greg Walters and was sent off for an early shower.
The Bluebirds pressed strongly in search of an equaliser, and with just six minutes to go Steffan Williams got on the end of O’Sullivan's low cross from the right; as the substitute turned quickly and instinctively fired into the far corner to salvage a point.
On Friday, 17
th April Haverfordwest County are away at Taffs Well.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Antonio Facciuto; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (2); Sean Pemberton; Chris O’Sullivan; Nicky Palmer; Luke Borelli; Steffan Davies; Owen Thomas. Substitutes: Kieron Howard; Greg Walters; Steffan Williams; Declan Carroll; Dan Evans.
Goytre United: Luke Martin; Kyle Graves; Jake Parry; Joseph Clarke; Tim Hicks; Ross Jones; Sam Wade; Jordan Edwards; Adam Orme; Jordan Davies; Darren Griffiths. Substitutes: Luke Morgan; Nicky Holland; Andy Hill; Michael Walters.
Referee: D. Morgan.
Assistants: J. Sheils & P. Harris.