Young Bluebirds fly into McWhirter Final

Haverfordwest County Youth 2 - Cambrian & Clydach Youth 0

Venue: Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium
Referee: Charles Davies
Assistants: Phil Gale & Gareth Elliott
Young Bluebirds fly into McWhirter Final

Haverfordwest County Youth played some excellent football to fend off the strong challenge of a Cambrian and Clydach Youth team which already had a win and a draw over the Young Bluebirds but were unable to match them on this occasion.

It earned the talented team built up by excellent coaches Steve Batty and Colin Fawcett a place in the final and now they have to wait and see whether they take on the youth team from West End or Afan Lido.

Scintillating stuff

The platform for victory was established in the first half when Haverfordwest played some scintillating stuff to take a deserved two-goal lead but coach Batty was more pleased with the way that they battled against a physically robust opposition in a second half which was scrappy but was a nervy affair as the visitors tried desperately to claw their way back into contention.

It was team captain Jack Britton who scored for the Young Bluebirds after only eight minutes as he latched on to the rebound of a Gregg Walters’ shot that Liam Halford could only parry into his path. It was an appropriate reward for both players as Britton commanded the midfield and Walters was a constant threat with his darting runs and ability to sent Liam Fawcett and Laurie Haworth on darting runs.

Great defence amongst the attacking play

The home back four also had a terrific game as central defenders Ryan Mansell and Gwion Howell shackled Liam Jones and Michael O’Sullivan up for Cambrian and Clydach. Full backs Dan Harding and Spencer Williams not only defended well but looked composed as they pushed forward, whilst Glen Fiteni and Joe Brill completed a commanding midfield. Brill had a cracking header superbly blocked by Halford and Fiteni shot just wide as Haverfordwest pushed forward at every opportunity.

On the only occasion that the visitors really threatened Josh Hicks made an excellent parry and Harding was there to scoop the ball out of danger, as good covering full backs do. He then helped set up the chance for Walters and Haworth to threaten in attack and when the ball fell to Fawcett near the penalty spot he fired home a vital second goal with aplomb, just before the interval.

Scrappy second half

Cambrian striker Liam Jones missed an early chance in the second half before being substituted and Walters had a shot blocked from an oblique angle after Haworth, Fawcett and Britton had again been involved.
Young Bluebirds fly into McWhirter Final

Lloyd Hughes came on at the back for the Young Bluebirds and although Cambrian and Clydach huffed and puffed they never looked likely to claw their way back as Jack Britton was man of the match; Gregg Walters, Laurie Haworth, Joe Brill and Liam Fawcett never stopped running – and Haverfordwest Youth were very good value for victory in front of an appreciative crowd.

Haverfordwest County:
Josh Hicks: Dan Harding; Ryan Mansell; Gwion Howell; Spencer Williams: Joe Brill; Glen Fiteni; Jack Britton (Capt): Liam Fawcett; Gregg Walters; Laurie Haworth. Subs: Dan Jenkins; Owen Coombs; Liam Davies; Mark Davies; Lloyd Hughes.