Welsh Cup, Round Two

Newport YMCA 1-2 Haverfordwest County

HAVERFORDWEST County would hardly have expected to be forced to a last-gasp winner against Gwent League opposition, but once again they played below their best and came away with the win.

The game was played on a heavy pitch and the first half was a fairly dour affair. The Bluebirds had maybe 85% of the possession and won a large number of corners but there were relatively few shots on goal at either end, with the best chance being one which Steffan Williams spurned in the 43rd minute.

The second half seemed to be going down the same track until Ashley Bevan headed in from Matthew Broome’s cross in the 65th minute. But ten minutes later the YMCA were given a free header from a corner and it was 1-1.

The exchange of goals did seem to kick-start the game and the last quarter of an hour was livelier. Crucially. Rhys Dalling scored the winner from Steffan Williams’ assist in the 88th minute.

Bevan and the YMCA keeper were both yellow-carded after a flare-up, and Chris O’Sullivan also collected a yellow. The keeper then picked up a second yellow for handling outside the box.

The Blues will be happy with the win, if not fully happy with the performance, and can at least reflect that Bevan, who was brought into the side to score goals, has three in two games since his return, and that Dalling, also brought in to score goals, scored his third winning goal of the season.

Haverfordwest County: James Gwilt, Mathew Broome, Spencer Williams, Nathan Banner, Stefano Antoniazzi, Rhydian Davies (Alfie Stottor, 70), Chris O’Sullivan, Steffan Williams, Ashley Bevan, Rhys Dalling, Lee Hudgell (Tomas Wellington, 70).