Steff fires home late winner for high-flying Bluebirds


PHOTOS
Jack Christopher scored the Bluebirds' second goal with a low strike
Dylan Blain running the central midfield
Pictures by Kevin Bryce

MacWhirter Welsh League Division One


 

Haverfordwest County 3 – Monmouth Town 2

 
Steffan Williams coolly fired home an 85th minute winner that secured a crucial victory for Haverfordwest County against Monmouth Town in their top of the table clash at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

The Bluebirds had surrendered a two-goal lead, but Williams scored his second goal of the match to ensure that the Bluebirds stay top in this highly entertaining encounter between the top two in the table.

The home side opened the scoring the 18th minute, when a move that started with goalkeeper Chris Curtis and involved Ritchie Lewis and Jack Christopher before Williams finished clinically from close range.
 

Christopher strikes

 
Two minutes later and the Wayne Jones’ team doubled their goal tally as Chris O’Sullivan and Williams combined before Christopher drilled in a low shot from outside the box into the back of the net.

But a costly error by Bluebirds’ left back Antonio Faccuito led to the visitors pulling a goal back Steff fires home late winner for high-flying Bluebirds through Elliot Ford as the score read 2-1 in the Bluebirds’ favour at half time.

 A minute after the break and Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Chris Curtis pulled off a stunning save to deny Ford from adding a second with a vicious volley. But Monmouth did not have to wait long before they did square matters. A neat move finished with striker Nick Harrhy, who headed home at the far post, completely unmarked a minute later.
 

Resolute defending

 
This gave the visitors the initiative as they pressed forward, but central defender Sam Rodon and Dale Griffiths defended resolutely to shut them out.

Christopher went close with a cheeky back heel and then had a point blank shot miraculously saved by keeper Kieran Blackburn.

But within a few minutes of Christopher being substituted by Joe Leahy, Williams capitalised on a Town error at the back, and the striker kept his composure to slot past Blackburn for a nail-biting winner.

Haverfordwest County: Chris Curtis; Ricky Watts; Antonio Faccuito; Sam Radon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Jack Britton; Chris O’Sullivan; Dylan Blain; Steffan Williams; Jack Christopher; Ritchie Lewis. Substitutes all used: Rob Morgans; Ashley Curtis; Joe Leahy.

Monmouth Town: Keiran Blackburn; Adam Davies; Aaron Davies; Eliot Evans; Dan Clare; Jack Alderdice (Captain); Elliott Ford; Dean Lee; Nick Harrhy; Dan McDonald; Sam Palmer. Substitutes: Jacon Guy; Luke Cleaves; Rob Laurie; Dean Palmer; Matt Jones.

Referee: T. Cook.
Assistants: J. Shiels and M. Phillips.