Bluebirds win in Cwmbran to go joint top

Haverfordwest County 4

THE Bluebirds consolidated an already strong position near the top of the Welsh League Division One table with a thorough demolition of a Celtic team who will have been glad to reach full-time.

The game was played in a strong, swirling wind which was behind the Blues in the first half. They capitalized almost at once when Luke Borelli, playing his second league game for the side and making his first start, drove in a dipping shot which left the Celtic keeper stranded. A second goal came just seven minutes later when Tim Hicks picked up a loose ball, spun away from goal then swivelled to drive in for a fine score.

Celtic were reeling before this onslaught and a third goal came on the half-hour mark, when Borelli tapped in after a fresh attack had left the home defence struggling.

The pace slackened slightly in the second half but only after Chris O’Sullivan had scored a fine fourth goal when he curled in a free kick from just outside the penalty area. Celtic now looked well beaten and the two red cards they picked up in the second half indicate the extent of their difficulties. They were further battered when a stinging shot from Richie Lewis crashed against the bar and when a brilliant passing move down the Bluebirds’ left led to a goal which was disallowed for offside.

The Bluebirds are now effectively level with Taff’s Well at top of the table, with the Wellman, beaten by Monmouth Town on Saturday, only shading into first place on the number of goals scored. The Blues of course have two games in hand.

This Saturday the Blues are at home to Caerau Ely, kick-off 2.30pm.

Haverfordwest County: Chris Curtis, Ricky Watts; Antonio Facciuto, Sam Rodon, Dale Griffiths, Sean Pemberton, Luke Borelli (Steffan Williams, 66), Chris O’Sullivan, Declan Carroll (Joey Leahy, 70), Tim Hicks, Richie Lewis (Matthew Fisher, 80).