PHOTOS:
Impressive Greg Walters has a shot at goal
Declan Carroll scored for the Bluebirds
Ryan Batley was solid in defence
Pictures by Matthew Kelly of www.rawphotography.me.uk
Haverfordwest County 4 – Aberystwyth 1
Jack Christopher scored twice in the second half to secure a comfortable victory for Haverfordwest County against Aberystwyth Town in the Word Cup at the Conygar Bridge Meadow on Tuesday night.
After losing two league games in a row, Bluebirds manager Wayne Jones would have been pleased with the free flowing football his team displayed against Aber.
Early setback
It didn’t start well for the Bluebirds as they found themselves a goal down in the 7th minute, a through ball, with a hint of offside, saw Craig Williams run clear and he cleverly dinked the ball over the advancing Haverfordwest County goalkeeper Craig Morris.
But the Bluebirds didn’t let this early set back affect them and were rewarded in the 30th minute when John Roberts equalised, the lively striker beating two Aber defenders before unleashing a low drive past Aber goalkeeper Philip Draper.
Two minutes later the home outfit added a second, Steffan Williams made good ground down the left, his cross was not dealt with as Declan Carroll struck a low shot at Draper’s near post, the keeper would have felt he should have done better.
Half time lead
A minute after half time, the Bluebirds added a third goal, Christopher latched onto a cross and the striker, who looked threatening all night, made no mistake, calmly slotting into the net from close range.
The visitors should have pulled a goal back when Rhys Griffiths, returning from a spell out with injury, had the goal at his mercy, but the striker drilled his shot against the foot of the post when he really should have scored, Griffiths had earlier missed with a couple of glorious headers.
As this cup tie flowed from end to end, the Bluebirds were unlucky not to ad to their tally when left back Spencer Williams threaded an inch perfect pass to Christopher inside the box, but the striker dragged his shot across the face of goal.
However, the Bluebirds put the game to bed in the 70th minute when they scored their fourth goal, Carroll’s scuffed free kick into the box was met by Christopher, he wasted no time lashing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
It was a good evening’s work by Wayne Jones’ Bluebirds who are in the hat for the next round. This Saturday, they are home against Carmarthen Town, the kick off is at 5.15pm and will be the Welsh Premier feature televised game on S4C.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Spencer Williams; Ryan Batley; Liam Hutchinson; Greg Walters; Nicky Palmer; Declan Carroll; Steffan Williams; John Roberts; Jack Christopher. Substitutes: Sean Pemberton; Scott James; Luke Borrelli; Sam Rodon; Kieran Howard.
Aberystwyth Town: Philip draper; Antonio Corbisiero; Cledan Davies; Ross Stephens; Geoff Kellaway; Craig Williams; Sion James; Wyn Thomas; Jack Rimmer; Thomas Jones; Rhys Griffiths. Substitutes: Stuart Jones, Lee Surman; Luke Sherbon; Chris Venables; Liam Lewis.
Referee: Kris Harries.
Assistants: Ryan Kenny & Teifion Cook.
Fourth official: Ben Williams.