What a win for The Bluebirds!

 
This week in our Bridge Meadow Snippets we are going to focus on The Bluebirds’ magnificent collective performance – and a closer look at some of the two hours of pure entertainment as they beat a very strong New Saints’ side that is vying with Connah’s Quay Nomads for the silverware.

Well done ‘Wolvesey’!

 
Let’s start with manager Wayne Jones, who outthought opposite number Chris Sargeant in almost every aspect. Wayne finds it hard to sleep in the evenings before the game, pondering on personnel and possible permutations and he struck gold here. Everyone expected new signing Jazz Richards to play in midfield but he played the whole match at right back and marked the Saints’ danger man out of the game. He also brought back Matthew Turner in goal and the keeper played a blinder!
 

Matthew makes some vital saves

 
Teenage keeper Matthew Turner’s last start was coincidentally when The Bluebirds played at New Saints and his late blunder gave the home side victory – but he played a blinder here, making some vital saves, especially from an 84^th minute header, as well as dealing with the wicked inswing corners flung in with huge defenders Ryan Astles and Blaine Hudson blocking his way. So well done Matthew – you showed why you are on Leeds’ books here!










 

Jazz does just the job!

 
Jazz Richards showed just why he has played 14 times for Wales in the full back position. He not only bottled up a very influential attacker in Chris Cieslewicz but distributed the ball well and helped to marshal a defence that was again outstanding. It was a fantastic home debut and long may he continue at The Bridge Meadow Stadium!
 












 

Ricky relishes his new responsibilities

 
One of the outstanding performances here, with strength in the air and on the ground, plus some amazing blocks that stopped the ball going into the net. He is relishing the role of captain when Sean Pemberton is on the bench – and was named by the ‘Sgorio’ commentators and ‘PembrokeshireSport.co.uk’ pundits as their man of the match for his 100% performance.
 



 

Alaric Jones – what a transformation!

 
It is easy to forget that Alaric Jones is still a teenager because he seems to have been around for so long – and at the start of the season wasn’t playing as well as last campaign. But all that is put behind him now because he again put in a terrific performance as one of three centre halves that in general have grown in stature together. He has trained very hard, lost weight and is not only strong in the air and totally committed on the ground but has tremendous touch - and the ability to play the ball out to his midfield. Another performance that saw him push for man of the match!






 

Scott uses his wealth of experience to great effect

 
Scott Tancock is the third of the centre backs and utilises his wealth of experience to marshal the back five. I must admit that he has become one of my favourite players because of his commitment – and view that it is the team performance that counts (to use the old cliché there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’!) Had another commanding performance but I know he won’t mind me saying how different he looked with his interesting new hair cut!
 





 

Dan is so skilful at full back

 
Astute manager Wayne made Dan Summerfield his man of the match amongst a load of worthy candidates and there is no doubt that he has been a great signing for The Bluebirds. He has been playing at right back but switched to the other flank to accommodate Jazz’s job there – and had another fantastic performance. He gets through his work in such a quiet, skilful way that he cannot always be noticed – but he is a key player at the back!









 

Corey scores and looks sharp

 
Corey Shephard gave yet another strong performance in midfield and also scored The Bluebirds opener with a well-taken goal. He had served notice of intent a little earlier with a stunning strike from outside the box which forced a great save from Paul Harrison but the saints’ keeper was unable to keep out a low drive from the other side of the area after the ball was only partially cleared. Certainly one of Corey’s best performances on The Bridge Meadow.







 

Kurtis never stops running as an ideal link man

 
Kurtis Rees is another midfielder who can look back on this game with some satisfaction because his work-rate was excellent and he joined with Sheppard and Kieran Lewis in making sure The Saints weren’t allowed to take their usual control. He wasn’t afraid to make telling tackles and used the ball intelligently in linking with his front men. Another who has grown in stature under Wayne Jones’ watch.










 

Kieran's class is supported by a touch of steel

 
Kieran has that smooth-running ability to hold the ball up well and look to set others off on runs and took a deserved rest after 85 minutes, when he had clearly run himself into The Bridge Meadow turf. Another who kept disrupting The Saints’ battle plan to build up from the back and release their wide man – and he is now a key player in this set-up.











 

Ben never stops running in The County’s cause

 
Ben Fawcett is one of the most unselfish players I have ever seen with Haverfordwest County as he occupies a tough role up front and never stops harassing the opposition back four, as well as grabbing key goals. He is another local youngster who has cemented a place in the line-up and gets under the skin of opposing defenders six inches or more taller than him – and played one outrageous little touch-line flick that brought roars of admiration from the ‘Sgorio’ commentators. Wayne Jones appreciates his hard work – and rightly so!








 

Danny creates the vital winner

 
Danny Williams is back to something like his best form and with Fawcett proves a thorn in opposing defenders plans with his willingness to chase lost causes and show his classy touches. When he was set free on the left he made good ground and started to cut inside but with his nose for chances and the deftest  of touches he created just enough space outside him for Cameron Keetch to rifle home what turned out to be the winner! Another selfless performance from Danny boy!

Cameron comes on to claim the plaudits

 
Cameron Keetch has been playing well at left back but didn’t come on for this tussle until the 59^th minute, when he turned from defender to ace goal grabber!
He certainly played a part in those vital late stages but nowhere quite like his stunning strike after he had made ground on the left and showed real composure in planting his left-foot drive low into the far corner and past the helpless Paul Harrison for a goal that any top striker would be proud to own!






 

Match officials do well

 
Well done to referee David Morgan as he worked well with assistants David Bird and Connor Thomas in keeping a firm control as the game flowed well. He always seems to ref well at The Bridge Meadow Stadium and this occasion was no exception.
 












 

A welcome visitor with a ready smile

 
Supporting New Saints as he always does was club owner Mike Harris and it was nice to chat to him for Pure West Radio. He certainly is a larger than life character and it was great that he could meet up with long-standing friends in David George and Phil Rees, who owns PRAG in our county and were there to cheer The Bluebirds on!