PHOTO:
Chris O’Sullivan in action on the Meadow scored a vital winning penalty at Goytre United

Goytre United 2 – Haverfordwest County 3

Chris O’Sullivan scored the winner from the spot and secured Haverfordwest County a nervy victory against Goytre United at a picturesque Glenhafod Park Stadium on Wednesday.

The team from the Port Talbot area had the better of the first half despite the score reading 2-2 at half time. But in a tense second half the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 78^th minute as defender Ian Hillier handed the ball in the area and received a yellow card. Up stepped O’Sullivan and as cool as you like he struck the resulting spot kick into the roof of the net for the winner.

Crucial clash

This win has kept the Bluebirds’ Welsh Premier aspirations alive as they face a crucial clash with Taffs Well in their next game on Easter Monday at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Goytre United took the lead in the eighth minute when Jordan Davies struck an unstoppable right foot drive from 25 yards that gave Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Craig Morris no chance of stopping.

But the Bluebirds replied in the 15^th minute. Chris O’Sullivan took a free kick for the second time of asking and ended with Sean Pemberton planting a powerful header into the back of the net.

In the 28^th minute Goytre United regained the lead when Sam Wade’s dangerous cross was stroked home by Sam Jones from six yards out.

Superb save

Morris pulled off a superb point-blank save to deny Mike Walters, and five minutes before the break  the visitors squared matters following a goalmouth melee which ended with an own goal.

In the second period Wade struck a low shot inches wide and Craig Steins struck the top of the crossbar as the visitors were put under the cosh. Former Bluebird Kyle Grave had a shot cleared off the line. Tim Hicks skied a shot over the bar and O’Sullivan struck a direct free-kick straight at goalkeeper Luke Martin, but O’Sullivan made no mistake from the spot and then there was some great defensive work by skipper Dale Griffiths and Sam Rodon as the visitors clung on for a crucial win.

Goytre United: Luke Martin; Luke Morgan; Liam Otten; Jordan Davies; Kyle Graves; Ian Hillier; Sam Wade; Joe Clarke; Ross Jones; Craig Steins; Mike Walters. Substitutes: Adam Orme; Nicky Palmer; Nicky Holland; Andy Hill.

Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Antonio Fucuitto; Sean Pemberton; Chris O’Sullivan; Dylan Blain; Ritchie Lewis; Luke Borelli; Tim Hicks. Substitutes: Declan Carroll; Steffan Williams; Ben Steele.
Referee: Kris Hames (Aberdare). Assistants: Phil Davies (Loughor) and Ben Williams (Llanelli)