PHOTOS:
Goytre United goalkeeper Luke Martin collects from a corner
Luke Borelli scored the Bluebirds’ early winner
Pictures by Kevin Bryce

 

Welsh League Division One

Haverfordwest County 1 – Goytre United 0

Haverfordwest County were definitely not at their best but they did just enough to secure a slender one-goal victory over Goytre United at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday night.

This victory could have been termed as ‘winning ugly’ but when a team don’t play well but still grind out a positive result then that is a mark of champions.

Luke Borelli’s early strike turned out to be the winner, but once the Bluebirds took the lead they failed to move forward with any conviction and it was the visitors who dictated the pace and flow of the game.

The Port Talbot outfit who are managed by former Bluebird Andy Hill will feel bitterly disappointed as they travelled back up the M4 with nothing for their whole-hearted efforts.

This result kept the Bluebirds leading by a point at the top of the table, with second-placed Taffs Wells hot on their heels after they gained a 2-0 win over Goytre.

What a cracker!

The only goal scored on the night was a cracker. Right back Ricky Watts made good ground and whipped in a cross that Borelli struck perfectly from inside the box past the despairing Luke Martin.

The Bluebirds faithful must have been rubbing their hands together thinking that this was going to be their night with plenty of goals to boot.

Well it was Andy Hill’s men who started to get on top with possession, territory and created some decent scoring chances , but Bluebirds goalkeeper Morris pulled a some important stops to deny the visitors, Adam Orme, Jordan Davies and Nicky Palmer all failed to beat the inform keeper.

Solid at the back

Sam Rodon and Dale Griffiths were both solid at the back, especially in the aerial stakes where the skipper picked up a gash on his head for his troubles, as did Tim Hicks, the pair both sporting bandages during the battle.

Deep in injury time and the Bluebirds carved out a decent scoring opportunity, substitute Declan Carroll driving a wicked right-footed shot inches past Martin’s left-hand post.

Haverfordwest County’s next game is on Saturday, 22^nd March at Aberdare Town, the Bluebirds will be seeking revenge as they lost 1-3 at home to them in February.

Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Antonio Faccuito; Chris O’Sullivan; Jack Britton; Richie Lewis; Luke Borelli; Tim Hicks; Steffan Williams. Substitutes: Declan Carroll; Dylan Blain; Joe Leahy.
Goytre United: Luke Martin; Nicky Holland; Mike Water; Ross Jones; Lee Bevan; Ian Hollier; Jack McKenna; Joe Clarke (Captain); Nicky Palmer; Jordan Davies; Adam Orme. Substitutes: Sam Wade; Kyle Graves; Luke Morgan; Liam Otten; Andy Hill.
Referee: D. Morgan.
Assistants: P. L. Jones & J. R. Jones.