Welsh Cup, Round 3
Haverfordwest County 1-0 Afan Lido

IN a game which was hard-fought to the point of being torrid, the Bluebirds’ first half lead was well deserved and a strong second half effort, which saw them hit the woodwork twice, suggested they deserved an even bigger win, writes Robert Nisbet.

Lido seemed not a patch on the side which had inflicted a 4-nil beating on the Bluebirds in October.

This victory sealed a quarter final home clash for the Bluebirds with GAP Connah’s Quay, which will take place on Saturday, January 28.

The most noticeable feature of the first half was the number of free kicks awarded on the edge of the box, five to Lido and two to the home side.

But whereas Lido’s efforts either wafted over the bar or were cleared without too much difficulty, the two played in by Antonio Facciuto were gems.

In the 22nd minute after Matthew Broome was brought down 25 yards out and on the right, Facciuto sent on a vicious curler which ex-Blues keeper Chris Curtis could only parry for the ever-alert Steffan Williams to pounce for the goal.

A little later a similar effort set up a real scramble which ended with Ashley Bevan shooting wide. Dalling and Williams both threatened again in a first half which saw the Blues go in with a deserved lead.

It had been a fine performance through the side and it continued into the second half, in a rugged game which saw Lido pick up a red card and six yellow, to the Bluebirds’ four.

Full backs Broome and Facciuto were outstanding, and both keeper James Gwilt and his central defenders, Stefano Antoniazzi and Sean Pemberton, coped solidly with the largely long-range aerial attacking of the Reds.

The midfield had been depleted by injuries and suspension, but Rhydian Davies, Kieran O’Brien and Lee Hudgell, grafted well enough to keep their forwards prompted, with Hudgell in particular proving a very skilful link.

The front three had a very good afternoon. The lively Bevan was tilting into the Lido defence with tremendous energy, forcing errors and opening gaps with his powerful running, and wingers Williams and Rhys Dalling were tricky, elusive and always looking to exploit the confusion.

Both hit the bar in a second half which saw the Lido goal take a peppering at times, and although the visitors did attack regularly, it always seemed that a second goal would be more likely to come from the Blues.

The Bluebirds return to league action next Saturday, December 10, when they entertain Cambrian & Clydach, it’s a 2pm kick-off.

Haverfordwest County: James Gwilt, Matthew Broome, Antonio Facciuto, Sean Pemberton, Stefano Antoniazzi, Kieran O’Brien, Steffan Williams, Rhydian Davies, Ashley Bevan, Rhys Dalling, Lee Hudgell. Subs not used: Spencer Williams, Alfie Stottor, Fraser Findlay, Sam Franklin.