Pemberton scores on debut (From Western Telegraph)

Pemberton scores on debut

10:57am Thursday 21st February 2013 in Sport

AFC Porth 1

Haverfordwest County 2

The Bluebirds moved back to fourth place after grafting out a win in which two highlights were headed goals by Liam Hancock and new signing Sean Pemberton.

Porth’s very wide pitch was in muddy but reasonable shape, but Mickey Ellis and Wayne Jones approached the game with a fairly tight formation. Pemberton, who had scored a hat-trick in his most recent game for Narberth, proved his goal-scoring ability at this level also, with a debut goal in the 25th minute. Chris O’Sullivan, who was playing in the centre of midfield, had moved briefly out to the right and curled in a cross from a deep position, for the sixfooter Pemberton to rise and direct a looping header over the keeper.

Five minutes later, the Blues capitalised again on the height of some of their players when Richie Lewis’s corner reached Liam Hancock for the centre back to head in powerfully.

But the first half had not gone all the Bluebirds’ way and Peter Blain had been called into action for a couple of very good saves.

The second half saw the side holding that 2-0 lead, pushing for a third certainly, but wary of conceding.

They did in fact concede just once, in the 70th minute, when Blain was forced to parry a free kick and a Porth attacker was able to slot in. And so, after the disappointment of losing at Taff’s Well, the Blues are beginning to put another run together, and have of course now won seven of their last eight games in league and cup.

The Blues now have a run of five successive home games, with a match on the Conygar Bridge Meadow next Saturday against Tata Steel, with a 2.30pm kick-off.

On the following Friday, March 1st, the much-awaited Welsh Cup quarter final against TNS (The New Saints), with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Haverfordwest County: Peter Blain, Ricky Watts, Antonio Facciuto, Liam Hancock, Lee Bevan, Rob Morgans (Greg Walters, 60), Chris O’Sullivan (Anthony Finselbach, 75), Sean Pemberton, Steff Williams, Jack Christopher, Richie Lewis (Owen James, 88). Sub not used: Anton Owens