PHOTO:
Declan Carroll opened the scoring for the Bluebirds with a wonder strike
Welsh Cup – Round 1
STM Sports 0 – Haverfordwest County 2
Haverfordwest County scored two goals in the second half to seal victory at STM Sports and deservedly progressed into the second round of this competition.
Second half goals by Declan Carroll and Jordan Follows, were enough to see the Bluebirds through against their tricky Cardiff-based opponents.
Not a classic
Bluebirds’ boss Wayne Jones admitted shortly after the final whistle when he said: “It wasn’t a classic game, but we did what we set out to do and that was winning, so I’ll take that.”
In previous qualifying rounds STM Sports from Cardiff, had beaten Pontypridd Town 3-2 at home and won 4-1 away to Treharris Athletic Western.
STM Sports are currently sitting second in the South Wales League Division One table and have not lost a game with a proud record of five wins,and one draw from the first six games of the season.
Wonder strike
The visitors scored their first goal in the 56th minute with a wonder strike. Carroll beat a couple of defenders before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 20 yards that flew into the top corner.
Follows added a second in the 72nd minute to put the tie beyond STM Sports. The striker was put through on goal and he obliged by finding the bottom corner.
Substitutes Antonio Facciuto, Sam Wilson and Nicky Palmer were all used and the three of them made a difference as the Bluebirds attacked looking for the win and a place in the second round.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Spencer Williams; Sean Pemberton; Dale Griffiths; Declan Carroll; Jack Britton; Greg Walters; Lewis Holder; Jordan Follows; Sean Pemberton. Substitutes: Antonio Facciuto; Sam Wilson; Nicky Palmer; Chris O’Sullivan; Dan Evans.