PHOTOS:
Haverfordwest County Youth's goal scorers: Lloyd Hughes, Gwion Howell
(3) and Lawrie Haworth
 
Match officials: David Farrell, Ben Williams (who took over in the
second half) and Neil Lewis (who sustained a hamstring injury and handed
over the whistle at half time)

 

McWhirter Youth League:

Haverfordwest County Youth 5 - Afan Lido Youth 3

An excellent hat-trick by talented striker Gwion Howell helped Haverfordwest County Youth to a win in the McWhirter League match against their counterparts from Afan Lido under the Conygar Bridge Meadow floodlights.
 
Howell shone as the Young Bluebirds finally woke up in the final quarter after being behind on three occasions and not playing the sort of quality football expected by manager Steve Batty.
 

Good late play instigated by subs

 

They were 3-2 adrift when Batty brought on wide runners Sean O’Neil (right) and Lawrie Haworth (left) and the end result was three good goals. There were also a few other chances for the Young Bluebirds before the final whistle was blown by Ben Williams, the talented young referee from Milford Haven who had taken over the whistle at half time because Neil Lewis (Crymych) had tweaked a hamstring, and really officiated well as David Farrell (Milford Haven) was the other assistant.

 

All square at half time

 
Haverfordwest made a less than impressive start as they gave the ball away too easily by trying to take too many touches on the ball, although Scott Jones marked his first start by volleying just wide and Joe Brill shot tamely from 25 yards out.
 
The back four also looked a little hesitant at first and conceded a penalty after 27 minutes which Afan Lido’s Joe Jones fired past Dan Evans with his trusty left foot.
 
Glen Fiteni was unlucky when his shot rapped the crossbar but the home side levelled matters straight on half time as good work by skipper Brill, Mark Davies and Jones earned a free kick just outside the box which Howell buried past Cole Lewis with some aplomb.
 

Disappointing start to second half

 
But the Young Bluebirds made a disappointing start to the second period as they were unable to clear the ball in their packed area and allowed Nathaniel Hyatt Golding to fire home an unstoppable left foot drive.
 
Again Haverfordwest fought back when Lloyd Hughes cut in from the left and his right foot shot seemed to lack pace but was dropped over the line by Cole Lewis.
 
Afan Lido regained the lead with a cracking goal by Steffan Griffiths Bevan and at that time a surprise win seemed on the cards for the visitors – but again the Young Bluebirds levelled when a Haworth cross was almost tucked home by O’Neill but Howell was on hand to score from the rebound.
 

Fine finish

 
From there it was all Haverfordwest as Howell headed home an O’Neill cross and then Lawrie Haworth lashed home a spot kick after ref Williams had spotted a clear kick in the box.
 
Fiteni also went close as reward for his tireless work but it mattered little because then Haverfordwest County were worthy winners of an absorbing clash!
 
Haverfordwest County Youth: Dan Evans: Dan Harding; Owen Coombs; Ben Aldred; Spencer Williams: Joe Brill (Capt); Mark Davies; Scott Jones; Glen Fiteni; Lloyd Hughes: Gwion Howell. Subs: Aiden Rainbow; Lawrie Haworth; Geraint Harries; Sean O’Neil; Ewan Jones.
Afan Lido Youth: Cole Lewis: Rhys Austin; Oliver Probert; Luke Keogh (Capt); Nathaniel Hyatt Golding: Josh Webber; Josh Evans; Joe Jones; Jake Monk; Jordan Lloyd: Steffan Griffiths Bevan. Subs: Tom Ryan; Matthew Hooper; Kieran Parson.
Referee: Neil Lewis.  Assistants: Ben Williams; David Farrell.