MacWhirter Welsh League Division 1

Haverfordwest County 5 – Tata Steel 1

Steffan Williams grabbed a quick-fire first half hat-trick to ensure that Haverfordwest County easily accounted for struggling Tata Steel on the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

The Bluebirds crushed the visitors with an impressive first half performance as they deservedly led 5-0 at half time.

Steffan Williams’ hat-trick, Ritchie Lewis and Sam Roden all found the back of the net, but the visitors showed some character by pulling a goal back through skipper Lee MacLachlan in the second half as the homesters failed to score any further goals

Second position

This result sees the Bluebirds stay in second place, two points behind leaders Goytre, but they have two games in hand, and Tata Steel uncomfortably sit third from bottom.

It was the diminutive striker Williams who grabbed the headlines - scoring a brilliant treble in six breath-taking minutes.

A good move down the left that involved Lewis and Antonio Faccuito, the latter crossing for the striker to slide home past goalkeeper Steffan Rogers to open the scoring in the ninth minute.

Four minutes later and Williams latched onto a well measured cross from the left by Lewis and Williams added his third in the 16^th minute. A corner in the box caused havoc and the lively striker toe-poked home from close range.

Ritchie Lewis lashed home a low drive from 20 yards that easily beat keeper Rogers at his near post for the fourth.

Powerful header

Centre back Sam Roden powerfully headed home a fifth from Chris O’Sullivan’s corner that put the Bluebirds in a commanding position at the interval.

The second half was always going to find it difficult to live up to the Bluebirds superb first half display, as the damage had been done and the Bluebirds understandably took their foot of the gas and were hit by a soft goal by MacLachlan, but it was the Bluebirds who deservedly picked up their fourth win of the season from five starts as manager Wayne Jones must be content that his team are still unbeaten in the league.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of former Bluebird Richard Griffiths who had passed away earlier in the week.

Haverfordwest County: Chris Curtis; Ricky Watts; Antonio Fucciuto; Sam Roden; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Sean Pemberton; Chris O’Sullivan; Dylan Blain; Steffan Williams; Jack Christopher; Ritchie Lewis. Substitutes: Rob Morgans; Joe Leahy; Greg Walters; Jack Britton.

Tata Steel: Steffan Rogers; Sam France; Glyndwa Davies; Aaron Diddescombe; Justin Williams; Chris Parfitt; Lee MacLachlan (Captain); Dan Williams; Sean Hyatt; Ellis Harris; Connor Harris. Substitutes: Carl Clement; Ben Garvey; Mathew Davies; Matthew Stantan.

Referee: Dean John.
Assistants: Tom Bevan and Adrian Wilson.

PHOTOS:
Steffan Williams slides in the opener
Williams completes his hat-trick in six minutes
Sam Roden headers home the fifth
Pictures kindly supplied by Kevin Bryce