Welsh Cup, Round Two

Haverfordwest County 2

Rhayader Town 1

THE Bluebirds had just a slight edge throughout this game but it took a fine last-minute strike from Greg Walters to settle the result, writes Robert Nisbet.

The first half saw the Bluebirds always pushing forward, passing neatly, often cleverly, but never really dominating. It was the visitors who took the lead in the 11th minute when striker Gethin Jones, a dangerous raider throughout, was tripped in the box by Nicky Palmer, and Tom Rowlands dispatched the penalty powerfully.

The equaliser followed within six minutes, when a ball through from Ricky Watts saw Luke Borelli able to dart in and slide the ball past keeper Luke Evans. The Blues might have doubled their score on the half-hour when a lovely cross from Spencer Williams, who had a fine game at left back, reached Borelli, who headed against the bar. Two minutes later a ball in from a corner saw Sam Rodon’s header blocked on the line and when Borelli drove in the rebound he was ruled offside. Just before these attacks though Rhayader’s Nefen Savage had put in a very dangerous run before his shot whistled over, so the encounter was by no means one-sided.

The Blues once again had rather the better of the second half, and in fact they had 20 shots on goal in the course of the game, compared with Rhayader’s 10. Jordan Follows was quite industrious and often clever in a fairly deep position, Declan Carroll grafted hard, Borelli continued to threaten and Watts was always there to push up the wing.

The Blues defence had to work to block one Rowlands shot and keeper Wyn Walters saved well from Savage, before Jones put his one real chance well over. But Blues pressure was building. Watts shot wide after a good Follows run, and Borelli had one fine sprint down the right but his cross was just inches too long for Follows to get a real purchase on it. The arrival of Chris O’Sullivan and Greg Walters as subs added a little freshness and invention to the Blues game, and it was Walters who settled matters in the 89th minute, when Follows’ mazy run down the left saw a final cross which Walters picked up 25 yards out, to drive on and shoot low to the keeper’s right, for a suitably dramatic finish to an entertaining game.

The programme sponsors were Mr and Mrs John Donnachie of Lamphey. The ball sponsor was Mr Bill Carne of Treffgarne.

This Saturday the Bluebirds travel to play Cardiff Met in a league encounter.

Haverfordwest County have drawn a tough away Welsh Cup third round tie at Welsh Premier Airbus UK Broughton. The tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday, November 29.

County: Wyn Walters; Ricky Watts, Spencer Williams, Sam Rodon, Dale Griffiths, Sean Pemberton (Greg Walters, 80), Jack Britton, Nicky Palmer, Luke Borelli, Jordan Follows, Declan Carroll (Chris O’Sullivan, 60).

Subs not used: Sam Wilson, Dan Evans (g/k)