PHOTOS:
Haverfordwet County hat-trick hero Jordan Follows shows a neat touch
Bluebirds right back Ricky Watts takes on Porth centre back David Matthews
Haverfordwest County 3 – AFC Porth 1
A stunning hat-trick by Jordan Follows secured a comfortable victory for Haverfordwest County against AFC Porth on the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
The Bluebirds have lacked a goal scorer for the last few seasons, and with the addition of Follows from Carmarthen Town this season, he’s proved a revelation so far, as he cracked a superb treble to earn his team the points.
Poor start
However, the afternoon got off to a disastrous start as the visitors took the lead with only two minutes gone. The Bluebirds defence lost concentration and striker Chris Bullock made no mistake as he got on the end of James Gronow’s cross.
Nine minutes before half time and the Bluebirds squared matters as Follows kept his composure to slot the ball past the advancing Porth goalkeeper Dale Pritchard.
Two minutes after the break and Follows added a second goal, a clever run by the striker left him in acres of space inside the box as he struck a low drive in at the near post.
Super subs
Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones introduced youngsters Liam Fawcett, Greg Walters and Antonio Facciuto in the second period and the three of them worked hard.
Walters can count himself rather unlucky not to add the third as keeper Pritchard stopped his shot from point blank range, Faccuito was set-up twice by Follows, but he failed to get a solid connection to both his close range shots.
Stunning save
Craig Morris pulled off a stunning finger-tip save to deny Bullock bagging an equaliser from long range, then ten minutes from the end and Follows made no mistake with the third, the striker nodding home at the far post a brilliant by-line cross by right back Ricky Watts.
Next Saturday, 13th September, Haverfordwest County entertain Taffs Well, who lost 3-1 at home to Cambrian & Clydach (Saturday, 6th September) at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium, kick off is at 2.30pm.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Spencer Williams; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Sean Pemberton (53’ Greg Walters); Chris O’Sullivan; Jack Britton; Elliot Thomas (45’ Antonio Faccuito); Jordan Follows; Sam Wilson (60’ Liam Fawcett). Substitute not used: Dan Evans.
AFC Porth: Dale Pritchard; Dan Williams; Huw Day; Owen Davies; David Matthews; Jamie Rebury; Sam James; Jacob Matthews; Chris Bullock; James Gronow; Shaun Moss. Substitutes: Cory Fisher; Shaun David; Connor Williams; Keenan Durstan; David Edgell.
Referee: Kevin Bowen.
Assistants: Matthew Mercer & David Badger.