PHOTOS:
Laurie Haworth wins this challenge
The Bluebirds are strong at the back
Lloyd Hughes poses a threat on the left for the home side
Welsh Youth Cup:
Haverfordwest County Youth 2 - Llanelli 1
Venue: Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium
Referee: Dave Badger
Assistants: Ben Williams & Gareth Elliott
Haverfordwest County’s talented youth team moved into the Welsh Youth Cup at the expense of their counterparts from Llanelli, the only minus mark for manager Steve Batty was the fact that the final margin of victory should have been far wider.
The Young Bluebirds played with real verve in the build up to a whole series of attacks based on the ability of skipper Joe Brill and Laurie Haworth to create space wide out but hurried shots or good saves by Llanelli’s keeper Jack Dale kept the visitors in with the chance of fighting back right up to the final whistle from referee Dave Badger, who had an excellent game which ensured play flowed and was very competitive but was played in a good spirit.
Haverfordwest served early notice of intent as Mark Davies put Glen Fetini through but his clever chip was just clutched by Dale, who also saved from Gwion Howell and Brill before Llanelli had their first chance when Owain Crockford fired a shot which Fraser James did well to block on the line.
It stung the Young Bluebirds into raising the tempo and a superb through ball by Haworth allowed Howell to race clear on the left and his unselfish low cross allowed skipper Brill to drill a low shot past the stranded Dale.
Constant threat
Howell posed a constant threat up front and supplied a lovely cross, which Fiteni headed wide, before also firing a shot into the side netting, with Aiden Rainbow also having a shot just off target.
But then Joe Brill’s careless back pass caught Dan Evans in no man’s land near half time and Crockford slid the ball home to give Llanelli a share of the spoils at half time when they might have been behind by two or three goals.
Regaining lead
Haverfordwest thought they had regained the lead from a Haworth corner which central defender Owen Coombs volleyed into the roof of the net but was flagged for offside.
But Gwion Howell scored what turned out to be the match winner with his excellent first-time low shot as Haworth also had a shot blocked and sub Sean O’Neill played well.
When Llanelli tried to claw their way back Dan Evans played well in goal and there was some good work from Dan Harding, Owen Coombs, Fraser James and Lloyd Hughes – and so Haverfordwest County Youth team were good value for victory in an entertaining tussle.
Haverfordwest County: Dan Evans: Dan Harding; Fraser James; Owen Coombs; Lloyd Hughes: Joe Brill (Capt); Mark Davies; Glen Fetini; Laurie Haworth: Aiden Rainbow; Gwion Howell. Subs: Sean O’ Neill; Ben Aldred; Ewan Jones; Louis Thompson; Scott Jones.
Llanelli: Jack Dale: Ross Davies; Luke Edwards; Ollie Meyer (Capt); Jesse Hewer: Jay Morris; Owen Evans; Nick Holmes; Will Gilbarthorpe; Owain Crockford; Leon Martin. Subs: Will Davies; Ryan Daveton.