Welsh League Division One: Haverfordwest County 1-0 Goytre

Although this wasn’t the Bluebirds’ most polished display of the season, they well deserved the three points after a game in which they could have ended up three or four goals in front if they had taken some of the many chances they created, writes Robert Nisbet.

What ensured the win was that the back spine of the side was so solid.

Goalkeeper Steve Hall was secure and confident, centre half Alaric Jones was outstanding, winning every challenge, and Elliot Scotcher in deep midfield marshalled and prompted the side immaculately.

The result of this was that, for all the efforts of Goytre’s towering centre forward Lewis Sommers, who was persistent but not that quick, the visitors could only manage one shot on target all afternoon.

Up front the Blues’ fortunes were more mixed. Danny Williams, Ben Fawcett and Jack Wilson all buzzed busily at the Goytre defence all game, and what was most important was that the side kept faith with the close-passing game they have adopted this season.

One Williams cross in the 11th minute saw Wilson head just over, but then the game’s only goal came in the 23rd minute, when a really fine through ball from Wilson saw Elliot Thomas brought down in the box and Scotcher drove in the penalty.

Another Williams run saw Ricky Watts’ shot blocked at close range, before a corner ended with Fawcett diving to head at the keeper.

In the second half the Blues built a real ascendancy. They regularly worked their way into and around the Goytre area, often with bursts of five or six passes in the attack, and they could have added several more.

The finishing though was wayward. Both Williams and Fawcett in particular were frequently lacking with the finish and, when a placed shot might have done the trick, they went for the sort of drive which looked set to rip the net off its moorings but which in the event went whistling over the bar.

Sub Ashley Bevan brought a little variety and an extra dimension of bustle to the attack, but the second goal wouldn’t quite come.

The Blues are playing at the Meadow again this Friday, October 5, in a league fixture against Ammanford, kick-off 7.30pm.

Haverfordwest: Steve Hall, Martyn Carroll (Leon Luby, 72), Antonio Facciuto, Tim Hicks, Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts (Tom Dyson, 45), Elliot Thomas, Elliot Scotcher, Ben Fawcett (Jack Wilson 70), Danny Williams, Jack Wilson (Ashley Bevan, 62).
Sub not used: Fraser Finlay.