PHOTOS:
Haverfordwest County first and youth teams
Kieran Howard
James Hartson
Haverfordwest County 6 - Haverfordwest County Youth 0
With their top of the table clash against Cardiff Mets on Saturday, Haverfordwest County took the chance of some much-needed match practice as they took on their talented youth team in a midweek floodlit friendly at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
The senior team eventually ran out winners by six clear goals and manager Wayne Jones felt it really was a worthwhile exercise because his senior squad worked at tactics during the match and he also had a chance to look at some of the developing young talent in Steve Batty’s squad.
Bluebirds strong in first half
The Bluebirds showed how seriously they took the tussle as they looked strong at the back via Antonio Facciuto, Sam Roden, and skipper Dale Griffiths, plus both Gregg Walters and Matthew D’Ivry for different periods in the match – and quickly opened the scoring as Sean Pemberton beat Dan Evans from close range.
The senior team added further goals from Luke Borelli (from just inside the area), Kieran Howard (a cracking free kick into the top corner) and Nicky Palmer (after good work by Declan Carroll) to lead 4-0 at the interval.
Youngsters keep battling away
But good work by Mark Davies, Sean O’Neill and skipper Joe Brill meant that front men Gwion Howell and Lloyd Hughes kept Craig Morris on his toes in the first team goal, and the
re were some nice touches at the back from Spencer Williams and Owen Coombs.Dan Evans made a couple of excellent saves in the second half but couldn’t prevent the senior side adding two more goals, the first following good work on the left by Facciuto and Carroll, whose lob into the box allowed Gregg Morris to claim the goal of the game with a superb right foot volley.
Then Walters turned provider as he sped down the right flank to set up James Hartson for his first goal for Haverfordwest County to round off a cracking game that was well refereed by Ryan Evans.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris: Matthew D’Ivry; Sam Roden; Dale Griffiths (Capt); Antonio Facciuto: Nicky Palmer; Kieran Howard; Chris O’Sullivan; Declan Carroll: Gregg Walters; Sean Pemberton; Luke Borelli; Owen Thomas; Steffan Davies.
Haverfordwest County Youth: Dan Evans: Fraser James; Owen Coombs; Spencer Williams; Aidan Rainbow; Joe Brill (Capt); Mark Davies; Sean O’Neill; Gwion Howell; Lloyd Hughes; Laurie Haworth; Paul Miller; Alfie Stotter; Finn Iles; Morgan Thomas; Scott Jones; Ben Aldred; Mohanned Romman; Glen Fiteni.
Referee: Ryan Evans