Welsh League Division One:

Afan Lido 1-2 Haverfordwest County

AFAN Lido are never an easy side to visit and the Blues will be delighted with a performance which saw them take full advantage of the wind at their backs in the first half, before defending well while continuing to attack as they played into the wind in the second half, writes Robert Nisbet.

The Bluebirds took the lead in the 5th minute when Greg Walters scored the kind of goal which wins matches and turns tides.

Spotting experienced keeper Steve Cann just slightly off his line, Greg hit a volley from just inside the Lido half sweetly into the back of the net.

The Blues could well have doubled the lead five minutes later when Tim Hicks’ effort following a corner was scrambled out to Steff Williams whose shot crashed against the bar.

Liam McCreesh’s yellow card for a late tackle on Alaric Jones was followed by two more yellows, with the third incident seeing Declan Carroll leave the field with a neck injury, to be replaced by new signing Ryan Thomas.

The Bluebirds, with that strong wind at their backs, struck again in the 35th minute when Walters sent a fine ball through to play in Danny Williams who slotted in nicely.

Lido by now were struggling to stay in the game. Alaric Jones then picked up a yellow for a challenge on Sean Hanbury.

Danny Williams was nearly in on goal again shortly afterwards and cut a ball back to Walters, whose shot was deflected for a corner.

The second half saw the game’s dynamic change with the wind advantage being reversed, and Lido were right back in the game, with a volley from Hanbury whistling over the bar and a good effort from the dangerous Carlos Indjai.

But once again it was Danny Williams who raced in behind their defence to send a cross-shot curling just wide.

Walters then pounced on a defensive error and went powering through to force a fine save from Cann.

There was drama in the 75th minute, when Lido sub Ben Thomas was sent off, apparently for stamping.

The effect was to see the Bluebirds pushing now for a third goal and a finely-built move from midfield by Walters and Danny Williams set up Ryan Thomas for his shot to be just saved by Cann.

Right at the end McCreesh pulled a goal back with a free kick from distance, but the Bluebirds emerged deserved winners.

The performances of Walters and Danny Williams in attack had been outstanding and had been backed by a very fine defensive performance from Conah McFenton, Sean Pemberton and their defence.

The next league game for the Blues is away to Llanelli Town on Tuesday, March 27.

Haverfordwest County: Conah McFenton, Matthew Broome, Alaric Jones, Sean Pemberton, Tim Hicks, Ricky Watts, Steffan Williams, Greg Walters, Declan Carroll (Ryan Thomas, 30),Dan Williams, Elliot Scotcher. Sub not used: Leon Luby, Charlie Davies.