Goals are flying in for in form Bluebirds on the Meadow
PHOTOS:
Nicky Palmer opened the scoring for the home outfit
Declan Carroll keeps close control against Aberdare Town
Haverfordwest County 4 - Aberdare Town 0
Goals from Nicky Palmer, Darren Griffiths, Jordan Follows and Chris O’Sullivan secured a thoroughly deserved four-goal victory for Haverfordwest County against Aberdare Town.
Last season the Bluebirds lost three times against Aberdare Town, so they knew before a ball was kicked that this could be a tricky clash. However, it didn’t work out that way as the home side bagged a comfortable three points with an impressive team performance.
What must be most pleasing for Bluebirds manager Wayne Jones was the fact that his side have scored 14 goals in three home matches and have not conceded.
Within 15 minutes the hosts lost right back right back Ricky Watts with a foot injury. He was replaced by Chris O’Sullivan who went straight into centre midfield and Jack Britton slotted into Watts’ vacant position.
Early chances
Both sides created early chances without success. Sam O’Sullivan and Robert Blackford both struck long range efforts wide of the target.
Jordan Follows was bravely blocked by Aberdare keeper Elis Nash when through on goal, also Darren Griffiths flashed a right footed volley inches past the right-hand post, the striker latching onto a pinpoint long range crossfield ball from Sam Rodon.
The Bluebirds broke the deadlock in the 30
th minute, Britton’s teasing cross from the right caused confusion inside the box and Palmer kept his composure to drill in from ten yards out.
Dale Griffiths could have given the Bluebirds a two-goal cushion in 38
th minute; the skipper powered a header wide from an O’Sullivan corner.
Minutes later and the Bluebirds did double their lead. Pemberton up in attack headed against the crossbar and Darren Griffiths quickly followed up to nod home the rebound.
On the overall balance of play Haverfordwest County thoroughly deserved their two-goal cushion at half time.
Shortly after the break and Jordan Follows struck a 30-yard free-kick just over the crossbar, but the striker made amends in the 76
th minute as he added his side’s third goal.
Cracking finish
An intelligent ball over the top of Aberdare’s defence saw Follows control brilliantly over his shoulder, take a superb first touch, and composed himself to tuck the ball past the advancing Nash.
Chris O’Sullivan added a fourth goal in the 85
th minute; Carroll was fouled on the edge of the 18-yard area, and the substitute with an exquisite free kick that curled into the top corner.
On Wednesday, 27
th August, Haverfordwest County travel to play at Garden Village, the team that they stuck six goals past them on the Meadow last week.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Antonio Faccuito; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Jack Britton; Nicky Palmer; Sean Pemberton; Declan Carroll; Jordan Follows; Darren Griffiths. Substitutes: Chris O’Sullivan; Liam Fawcett; Spenser Williams; Sam Wilson; Dan Evans.
Aberdare Town: Elis Nash; Adam Lewis; Nick Jones; Gareth Jones; Scott Woodford; Lewis Hitchcock; Richard Ingram; Sam O’Sullivan; Nathan Jones; Richard French (Captain); Robert Blackford. Substitutes: Lewis Holder; John Phillips; Michael Lineham; James Turner.
Referee: Mark Whitby.
Assistants: Ceri Williams; Gareth Elliott.