PHOTO:
Greg Walters was the Bluebirds' cup hero

Luke Borelli looked dangerous up front

Welsh Cup Round Two

Haverfordwest County 2 – Rhayader Town

A brilliant late goal from substitute Greg Walters earned Haverfordwest County a deserved but slender cup victory against Rhayader Town at the Conygar Bridge Meadow.

Tom Rowlands scored an early penalty for Rhayader which was cancelled out by a well-taken Luke Borelli goal as the score stood at 1-1 at half-time. As the cup-tie was heading for extra-time and up popped super-sub Walters, who buried a low right foot drive that flew in the far corner from 12-yards out, for a timely winner.

The north Wales visitors, who are currently eleventh in the Huws Gray Cymyru Alliance took the lead as midfielder Nicky Palmer took down Dylan McPhee inside the box, Rowlands stayed calm and fired home the resulting spot-kick.

However, the visitors’ lead was short-lived as Borelli latched onto Jack Britton’s through ball; the striker kept his composure and slotted the ball underneath advancing goalkeeper Luke Evans.

Hit the crossbar

Borelli went close to scoring again as he got on the end of Ricky Watts’ cross from the right. Spencer Williams, who replaced Antonio Fuccuito, the left-back twisted an ankle in the warm-up, put in a pinpoint cross in the box for Borelli who headed against the crossbar.

Just before the break and Borelli struck a tremendous shot from 12-yards that fizzed into the back of the net, but the fine strike was disallowed as assistant Alan Buckfield flagged as he spotted Follows was in an offside position inside the box.

Frustrating

The second-half was frustrating for Wayne Jones’ Bluebirds, creating plenty half chances as the visitors were contented on hitting the Bluebirds on the counter-attack.

Declan Carroll toe-poked a shot wide as keeper Evans came out and rushed the midfielders finish. Sean Pemberton struck a shot straight at Evans, as the homesters piled on the pressure.

Chris O’Sullivan and Walters both entered the fray as the Haverfordwest County went for broke in the latter stages of the tie.

Late winner

With barely a minute to go and Walters struck a superb strike that nestled in the far corner and secured his side’s passage into the third round of the Welsh Cup.

Next Saturday, Haverfordwest County face a tough test as they travel to the capital to take on Cardiff Met in a top end of the table clash.

“Of course I’m pleased we won,” said Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones. “But on times we tried to play to much football, and were guilty of trying to walk the ball in the net.
“The only way I could see them nicking it was hitting us on the break, but I feel we were the better team on the day.”
 
Haverfordwest County: Wyn Walters; Ricky Watts; Spencer Williams; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Sean Pemberton; Jack Britton; Nicky Palmer; Luke Borelli; Jordan Follows; Declan Carroll. Substitutes: Chris O’Sullivan; Greg Walters; Sam Wilson.

Rhayader Town: Luke Evans; Matt Lewis; Tyrone McFadden; Gareth Griffiths (Captain); Joe Wozencraft; Christian Jones; Dylan McPhee; Robbie Owen; Gethin Jones; Tom Rowlands; Nefen Savage. Substitutes: Tom Wozencraft; Sean Powell; Gavin Samuel.

Referee: D. Morgan.
Assistants: A. Buckfield & M. Phillips.

PHOTO:
Luke Borelli equalises for Haverfordwest County. Pic: Kevin Bryce.