PHOTO:
Goal scorer Luke Borrelli takes on Lido defender Steven Cox
Haverfordwest County 1 – Afan Lido 1
Despite controlling the second-half, Haverfordwest County had to be content with a draw against Afan Lido at the Conygar Bridge Meadow on Friday night.
The Bluebirds took an early lead as striker Lee Borrelli netted, but minutes later the visitors replied with a superb strike by striker Ross Hudson. The visitors played the last ten minutes with ten-men as solid centre back Callan Bowden sent-off after receiving a second yellow card for scything Antonio Facciuto.
Frustrated
Wayne Jones’ homesters became increasingly frustrated as Lido goalkeeper Rory McCreesh pulled off a string of impressive saves in the second period to deny the league leaders.
Conditions were difficult for both teams as persistent rain during the 90 minutes saw the ball zipped off the surface, making it difficult to control.
Borrelli broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, a poor ball in defence fell for the lively striker to break and clear and round keeper McCreesh for an easy finish.
Exquisite equaliser
However, on the half hour mark the visitors equalised with an exquisite strike from Hudson, 30-yards from the goal the striker saw Bluebirds stand-in keeper Wyn Walters off his line, and struck a brilliant shot that sailed into the top corner.
Just before half time and McCreesh pulled off a fantastic save to deny Borrelli from 12-yards.
In the second half the Bluebirds pushed hard for a winner, but keeper McCreesh was in no mood to concede, pulling off saves to deny Declan Carroll, Jordan Follows direct free-kick and two close range headers by Borrelli and skipper Dale Griffiths. Bluebirds’ boss Jones introduced substitutes Greg Walters, Jack Britton and Sam Wilson searching for the all-important victory.
Penalty miss
In the 84th minute the hosts were awarded a penalty as defender Arwel Rees bundled over Carroll inside the area. Keeper McCreesh pulled off a good save to deny Follows from 12-yards, but referee spotted that Lido players had encroached into the area before the ball was kicked and awarded a retake. Again Follows, stepped up and had a chance to redeem himself, but for the second time of asking he embarrassingly fired the spot-kick wide.
Minutes later and defender Bowden was sent-off, but the ten-man visitors held firm for a hard fought point and the Bluebirds were frustrated as they settled for a point when really they should have had three.
Haverfordwest County: Wyn Walters; Ricky Watts; Antonio Facciuto; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Sean Pemberton; Chris O’Sullivan; Declan Carroll; Luke Borrelli; Jordan Follows; Nicky Palmer. Substitutes: Jack Britton; Sam Wilson; Greg Walters; Gwion Howell; Dan Evans.
Afan Lido: Rory McCreesh; Jack Lewis; Greg Hurley; Callan Bowden, Steven Cox; Arwel Rees; Josh Webber; Joe Jones; Ross Hudson; Elliott Thomas; Kieran Howard. Substitutes: Darren Mills; Jack Underwood; Oliver Probert; Luke Jones.
Referee: D. Morgan.
Assistants: R. Kenny & P. Meredith.
