PHOTOS:
Nicky Palmer presses forward for Haverfordwest County against Caerau Ely
Bluebirds skipper Dale Griffiths scores with a powerful header
Welsh League Division One
Haverfordwest County 1 – Caerau Ely 1
Haverfordwest County surrendered a one-goal lead and had to be content with a draw with Caerau Ely at the Conygar Bridge Meadow.
The Bluebirds will feel bitterly disappointed that they shipped a goal when the visitors were down to ten-men as striker Andrew Smith was issued a straight red card shortly after the interval.
Fine header
Skipper Dale Griffiths gave the Bluebirds an early lead, as the centre half rose highest in the box to firmly plant a header into the back of the net from a Keiron Howard corner.
Wayne Jones’ Bluebirds failed miserably to score any further goals and they dropped two precious league points at home against a physical team from the Cardiff.
From Tyrrell Webbe's direct free-kick from 25 yards out the ball rebounded off the Bluebirds’ wall and fell to Lloyd Toghill, the midfielder wasted no time as he picked his spot, and found the bottom of Craig Morris’ left hand corner.
Body blow
The equaliser was a body-blow for the home outfit and they must have really fancied their chances of securing victory as the visitors went down to ten-men.
But to second-placed Caerau Ely outfit’s credit they dug in deep and made life difficult for the Bluebirds, not letting any player settle on the ball as they pressed them quickly.
Jordan Follows did find the back of the net from inside the box, but the striker was ruled offside by the assistant, and that decision summed up the home outfit’s frustrating afternoon
On Boxing Day, Haverfordwest County are away at Taff’s Well and after that their next league game is at home on Saturday, 3rd January, against Pontardawe Town, kick off is at 2.30pm.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Antonio Facciuto; Sean Pemberton; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Kieron Howard; Greg Walters; Nicky Palmer; Steffan Davies; Jordan Follows; Declan Carroll. Subs: Luke Borelli; Spencer Williams; Mark Davies.
Caerau Ely: Scott James; Jerome Maynard; Tyrrell Webbe; David Vincent (Captain); Kieron Joseph; Lloyd Toghill; Huw Corns; Callum Sainty; Andrew Smith; Jamal Roberts; Rameer Outlaw. Substitutes: Curtis Matthews; Adam Carpenter; Michael Fellows; Luke Cooper.
Referee: R. Kenny.
Assistants: B. Jones & P. Johns.