MacWhirter Welsh League Division One
Haverfordwest County 1 - Cwmbran Celtic 0
Substitute Jack Christopher’s stunning late goal deservedly earned Haverfordwest County their third straight win on the trot at the Conygar Bridge Meadow.
Coming into this important early league clash the home outfit sat fourth in the table and the visitors in sixth.
There was some relief around the Meadow when Christopher grabbed the only goal of a hard fought fixture with much improved Cwmbran Celtic with only 18 minutes to go.
Skipper Dale Griffiths had a penalty saved in the first period, but thankfully for the Bluebirds' camp substitute Christopher came to the rescue.
Well on top
The Bluebirds were well on top in the first half but failed to find the back of the net.
The visitors didn’t have a shot at goal but they defended resolutely to frustrate the homesters.
Goalkeeper Nick Church pulled off a stunning save to deny Rob Morgans scoring with a volley, and five minutes before the break, they were awarded a stone wall penalty as keeper Church brought down Sam Roden inside the box.
Skipper Dale Griffiths’ weak penalty effort was parried by keeper Church and striker Joey Leahy’s rebound was also stopped by the impressive keeper.
Ritchie Lewis was unlucky not to break the deadlock when his low drive deflected and flew into the side-netting.
The visitors started well in the second half and striker Owen Llewellyn flashed a low shot past Chris Curtis’ left hand post.
Stunning volley
Substitute Jack Christopher, who was on for Rob Morgans, nearly made an immediate impact when his fierce right footed shot forced a good save from Church. Minutes later and Lewis’s stunning volley from a Steff Williams’ cross was headed off the goal line.
With the Bluebirds pilling on the pressure, outstanding keeper Church pulled off brilliant double save to deny Steffan Williams.
Bluebirds goalkeeper Chris Curtis pulled off a brilliant finger-tip save to deny Josh Bull from scoring a with a wicked volley from the edge of the area.
Christopher broke the deadlock with a stunning goal. The striker looked up and saw keeper Church off his line and struck a cheeky lob from at least 30 yards that found the far corner and eased the frustrated supporters’ nerves.
Haverfordwest County entertain Aberdare Town in the Word Cup on Tuesday, 3rd September, kick off is at 7.30pm.
Haverfordwest County: Chris Curtis; Ricky Watts; Antonio Faccuito; Sam Roden; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Sean Pemberton; Rob Morgans (65’Jack Christoper); Dylan Blain; Steffan Williams; Joey Leahy (83’ Jack Britton); Ritchie Lewis. Substitute not used: Martyn Carroll.
Cwmbran Celtic: Nick Church; Rakesh Patel; Dominic Connor; Curtis Patel; Luke Jones; Jack Edwards; Chris Ham; Craig Cheedy; Josh Bull; Owen Llewellyn; Adrian Maguire. Substitutes: Dan Pritchard; Lloyd Kinsella; Scott Lanyon; Tom Hagget.
Referee: Eddie King.
Assistants: Dai Badger & Kevin Bowen.
