McWhirter Youth League:
 

Haverfordwest County Youth 1 - Merthyr Town Youth 0

 
A cracking goal by Laurie Haworth earned Haverfordwest County Youth a narrow, but fully deserved, victory over their high-flying counterparts from Merthyr Town under the floodlights at the Conygar Bridge Meadow.
 
Well refereed by Dave Badger, ably assisted by Phil Gale and Ben Williams, it was a game out of the very top drawer and the lads from Merthyr deserve a mention for the way that they just got on with the game and were a credit to their club in a defeat.
 

Manager Batty must have been pleased

 
The Young Martyrs are second in the table but Haverfordwest could also be in contention, other than for the fact that cups involvement and postponements mean they now have 15 matches still to complete – but manager Steve Batty must have been pleased with his team’s determination and high skill levels. They dominated play for much of the match and might have won by a wider margin but for some excellent goalkeeping by Merthyr’s Jack Cowley.
 
Young Bluebirds’ custodian Dan Evans had a quieter game but he controlled his box well, and made three saves that were out of the top drawer, including one point-blank header from full back Tom Hawkins.
 

Excellent all round performance – and get well soon Glen

 

The home back four was boosted by the inclusion of Jordan Thomas, who was outstanding with Owen Coombs at the heart of the defence whilst Dan Harding and Spencer Williams maintained a tight grip on the dangerous Martyrs’ attack.

 
Mark Davies, Lloyd Hughes and skipper Joe Brill bossed the midfield whilst Laurie Haworth and Gwion Howell were a constant threat from their direct running. The only downbeat facet of the game for Haverfordwest was the fact that the influential Glen Fiteni was unwell early in the game and had to be replaced by Alfie Stotter, who might have been the youngest and the smallest player on the field but with a little luck might have scored a second-half hat trick!
 

Haworth grabs a great goal

 
Merthyr had the first chance through Curtis Scott-Odabus but Dan Evans saved well – and at the other end Haworth fired just wide and Hughes had a shot saved before the Young Bluebirds claimed the vital goal.
 
It was initiated by Davies and Brill before Howell threaded a lovely ball through for Haworth to beat his marker for pace and drill a low shot past the helpless Cowley for a finish that had ‘quality’ written all over it.
 

Unrelenting second period

 
There was no decrease in pave during the second half as Stottor, Haworth and Hughes all had chances which went just wide or Cowley saved well – but there was always the threat that Merthyr would snatch a point as they also played really well when they had the ball. Spencer Williams also had a chance as he joined the attack but his cross cum shot was saved at the near post.
 
And so the game ended with Haworth’s goal being the only one to find the net in a match that was high on skill, commitment and physicality – and what a pity there weren’t more local football supporters there to see such talented players in both teams!
 
Haverfordwest County:
Dan Evans: Dan Harding; Owen Coombs; Jordan Thomas; Spencer Williams: Glen Fiteni; Mark Davies; Joe Brill (Capt); Lloyd Hughes; Laurie Haworth; Gwion Howell. Subs: Alfie Stottor; Sean O’Neill; Mohanned Romman; Fraser James, Dafydd Bevan.

Merthyr Town: Jack Cowley: Tom Hawkins; Liam Davies; Tom Carter; Ryan Hobbs: Josh Llewellyn; Dale Shallis; Ryan Williams; Curtis Scott-Odabus; Tom Lawrence; Adam Jones. Subs: Daniel Williams; Jordan Chappelle.
Referee: Dave Badger   Assistant Referees: Phil Gale & Ben Williams.

PHOTOS
Laurie Haworth scored for Haverfordwest
Match officials: Ben Williams, Dave Badger and Phil Gale