Convincing Bluebirds secure excellent win (From Western Telegraph)

Convincing Bluebirds secure excellent win

Haverfordwest County 2 NEWTOWN 0

Newtown came into this game on the back of victories against Cwmbran and Carmarthen, while the Bluebirds fielded a side which was almost experimental, but it was the home side who played most of the football. Some changes were forced on Jason Jones by recent signings and departures, but the resultant Blues line-up looked purposeful and fluent from the start.

The departure of Lee Jones to Carmarthen is a disappointment, but it was fully compensated for by the signings of Gavin Rees, who has made a welcome return from Richmond Park and of Jeremy Chandler, reputedly a central defender but lining up on Saturday at left back, who signed in the week from Llanelli.

Combined with Paul Walker and Dai Burrows, they made up a powerful back four, who generally contained the Newtown attack.

Jones playing of a 4-4-2 line-up, without a sweeper, gave Carl Mainwaring and Jamie Rickard the freedom to play in midfield as orthodox wingers and each made the most of this room.

Pembroke Dock boy Dean Busby, making his third consecutive start, played in the centre of midfield and, although he occasionally allowed himself to be hurried into too hasty a ball, he still looks a very promising acquisition.

Jones sprang one surprise up front, omitting Steve Mardenborough in favour of Paul Burrows, who had indeed earned his place with a fine hat-trick in the mid-week 7-1 drubbing of Aberystwyth.

Early exchanges were even, with a mazy Rickard run taking him past three players, only for him to be unable to get his shot in, and with Paul Burrows later shot being blocked on the line.

At the other end a cross from the dangerous Justin Wickham hit a Blues defender and spun out for a corner.

The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute, when a third fine run down the right by Mainwaring saw the burly midfielder cross into the box where the ball broke for Dean Busby to plant it firmly home from 12 yards.

Chris Miller, his usual industrious self, went on a fine run a little later and crossed to Mainwaring only for the latter to blaze high.

The Bluebirds were within a whisker of a second goal at the start of the second half when a superb run down the right by Paul Walker saw him put in a pin-point cross for Paul Burrows to head against the bar.

The desired second goal did come though, just two minutes later, when a quiet build-up on the left of midfield saw Rickard chip a short ball to Andy Hughes, for the newly-appointed skipper to crack home a quite unstoppable half-volley from all of 25 yards.

The Bluebirds did soak up a little pressure from then on, but the home defence (with Rees and Chandler outstanding) were so composed that the Latham Park side rarely got beyond the 18-yard line.

In the concluding ten minutes, Buzzer went desperately close for the third time in the game before the game ended with a flurry of Haverfordwest corners. This really was a solid, well-crafted and totally convincing win.

On Tuesday, the Bluebirds were due to entertain Rhayader Town in the League of Wales Cup, and they play Barry Town at Jenner Park on Friday night. The club will run a bus, and supporters interested in travelling should contact David Hughes on (01437) 710482, or any committee member.

Haverfordwest County: Ben Miles; Paul Walker, Jeremy Chandler, Dai Burrows, Gavin Rees, Carl Mainwaring, Dean Busby, Andy Hughes (capt), Jamie Rickard, Chris Miller, Paul Burrows. Subs (not used): Mickey George, Steve Mardenborough, Carl Thomas.