Pre-season friendly

Haverfordwest County 2

Penrhyncoch 0

THIS was a very entertaining game of football in which the Bluebirds were full value for a win against a side who are among the best and most experienced in mid-Wales.

The presence in the Penrhyncoch ranks of several ex-Welsh Premier players warned against complacency and the first half saw the Blues with just a slight edge against strong and well-organised opposition. At the one end striker Joe Leahy had to work hard against a very stiff central defence but he did battle very hard and did win a great deal of good ball in the air. At the other end the Blues’ centre back pairing of Sean Pemberton and Sam Rodon was absolutely immaculate and this really has to be a good omen for the Welsh League season.

Among other strong signs, as the first half wore on and the Blues started to get on top, were a very busy and skilful midfield display from Greg Walters, a fine home début for Dan Williams, in midfield in the first half and on the right wing in the second. Alaric Jones, captain of last season’s Cup-winning Under-16 side, made a very positive impact at left back. Débutant goalkeeper Conah McFenton had few saves to make but looked composed and can certainly kick a prodigious length.

The Blues only really threatened twice in the first half-hour and each time it was with long-range efforts from Walters. His 25-yard volley in the 7th minute forced the keeper to reach hard to tip away for a corner, while an even fiercer shot in the 30th minute whistled just over. But the player who broke the deadlock was winger Alfie Stotter, whose header crashed in off the crossbar in the 40th minute.

There were further cheering omens to be seen in the second half, particularly in the displays of some younger players, notably, Charlie Davies and Luke Raymond. During the last half-hour these and other youngsters, Lon Luby and Fraser Finlay, were prominent in a wave of attacks, many of them exhilarating in their boldness and skill.

Dan Williams took one superb ball out on the touchline and sent in a curling cross which saw Rodon’s header turned away for a corner. Ricky Watts prompted an attack which criss-crossed the pitch before Alaric Jones’s cross went just wide. McFenton had to make his one real save by tipping over a long-range effort, before the second goal came in the 72nd minute, when Williams’ corner curled through to Rodon for him to blast in a header from 8 yards.

It was Davies who was most prominent in the last five minutes, first when his blasted shot was turned away for a corner and then when he rounded off a move he had started himself by sending in a wicked curler of a cross-cum-shot which cannoned back off the bar.

Fans will hope for a repeat of this crisp performance when the side entertains Llantwit Major next Saturday, 5th August, at 2.30pm.

Haverfordwest: Conah McFenton, Matthew Broome, Alaric Jones, Sam Rodon, Sean Pemberton, Ricky Watts, Alfie Stotter, Greg Walters, Joe Leahy, Dan Williams, Kristian Speake. Subs (all played): Nicky Palmer, Charlie Davies, Luke Raymond, Leon Luby, Frazer Finley  Sub did not play: Nick Jones (g/k).