PHOTOS:
Danny Williams scored a belter
Ricky Watts opened the scoring assisted by Danny Williams

 

Haverfordwest County 2 – Llantwit Major 0

Venue: Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium

Referee: Mr. K. Hames.
Assistants: Mr. A. Jenkins & M. D. Badger.

Two first half goals sealed a thoroughly deserved win for Haverfordwest County on the opening day of the season against newly promoted Llantwit Major at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Ricky Watts struck an early opener and just before the break Danny Williams drilled home the second as heavy rain fell for the duration of the match.

It was the visitors who could have taken the lead, when Josh Jones’ low shot was saved by debutant Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Steve Hall.

Watts strikes

But a few minutes later and the Bluebirds opened the scoring, excellent work by Danny Williams down the right wing and his pinpoint cross was met inside the six-yard box by Watts, who tapped into the empty net.

Sean Cresser’s home outfit played a neat passing game, and without the services of top signing Lee Trundle and the established Steffan Williams, the home team still looked threatening with Ben Fawcett and Williams probing alongside vastly experienced playing assistant Tim Hicks up front.

Pemberton solid

Skipper Sean Pemberton was solid in the heart of defence alongside Alaric Jones, Antonio Facciuto and Matthew Broome, who all defended soundly.

Tom Dyson shone in his central midfield role, working well alongside the classy Elliot Scotcher and goal scorer Watts.

Hicks headed straight from a corner at Jack Lansdown, Fawcett drilled a low curling 20 yard effort drawing a good save out of Lansdown, and Hicks also saw his goal bound effort cleared off the goal line as the Bluebirds put the visitors under pressure.

Just before the break and they added a second goal, Fawcett flicked a pass onto Dyson, the industrious midfielder intelligently cut back an inviting pass to Danny Williams, and the latter struck an unstoppable 16 yard shot which crashed into the back of the net.

Haverfordwest County continued to press in the second period, and with the introduction of Jack Wilson, who looked menacing with every attack. It was Wilson who cleverly carved out a decent scoring chance for Danny Williams, but the latter struck the post with a one-on-one with Lansdowne.

No further goals in the second period, but overall The Bluebirds should feel happy with their performance, with three points neatly tucked in the bag and they have home advantage against Pontypridd Town next Saturday, kick off is at 2.30pm.
 

Good performance

Haverfordwest County manager Sean Cresser said afterwards: “The first game of the season is always a difficult one, we didn’t know much about the opposition, and a number of our squad were making their Welsh League debuts, the performance was good, but more importantly we picked up a win and kept a clean sheet as a bonus.

“Ben Fawcett played superbly up front in difficult conditions and he’s only 17, we play Pontypridd Town next week and they are one of the dark horses for the title, so next Saturday should be a cracking match on the Meadow.”

Haverfordwest County: Steve Hall; Matthew Broome; Antonio Facciuto; Sean Pemberton (Captain); Alaric Jones; Elliot Scotcher; Tim Hicks; Ricky Watts; Ben Fawcett; Danny Williams; Tom Dyson. Substitutes: Leon Luby; Nicky Palmer; Jack Wilson; Fraser Finlay.

Llantwit Major: Jack Lansdown; Jamie Miller; Glyn Davies; Jonathan Fletcher; Sean Williams; Mark Evans; Jonathan Butler; Mike Hartley; Ben Cripps; Anthony Rawlings (Captain); Josh Jones. Substitutes: Robert Jones; Lee Jones; Nathan Referee; Lewis Brown; Josh Morgan. 

PHOTO:
Ben Fawcett impressed up front on his Welsh League debut for The Bluebirds