Welsh League Division 1: Haverfordwest County 4–0 Ammanford

A sublime Ben Fawcett volley, a spectacular Lee Trundle strike, and two clinical finishes from Dan Williams, the forward firepower of Haverfordwest County was again evident as the Bluebirds beat Ammanford 4-0 at The Meadow last night.

It wasn’t all straightforward with the visitors having their chances in a furiously paced first 45 minutes, but with Fawcett’s goal separating the teams at the break, the Bluebirds then dominated the second half to move just a point behind leaders Penybont ahead of a crunch clash between the two in Bridgend next Saturday.

The opening stages were frenzied but whilst the home side pressed, there was little in the way of clear chances as a Williams cross just evaded Fawcett, and Antonio Facciuto had a low drive comfortably held by former Haverfordwest keeper Craig Morris.

Also starting for the visitors was another ex-Bluebird in Alfie Stottor and he was involved at the other end as Ricky Martin went through on goal only to be flagged offside.

But when the deadlock was broken by Fawcett 17 minutes in, it capped a move that encapsulated the attacking freedom with which Haverfordwest adopted this season.

It started with a quick throw out from keeper Steve Hall, and right back Leon Luby drove forward over half way before finding the feet of Trundle, who in turn supplied Williams out on the left and his cross was flicked on by Ricky Watts towards Fawcett - and the youngster confidently buried a right foot volley that left Morris with no chance.

The goal could well have served to deflate Ammanford and yet they responded, armed with great away support from their 'Black and White army'.

Matthew Fisher’s rising shot caught the side netting and a neat passing move between Mathew Jones, Liam Samuel and Martin ended with the latter stabbing a shot past Hall – only for Tim Hicks to get back and intercept before the ball crossed the line.

Samuel was next to go close, cutting onto his right foot in the area and rifling a low shot that struck the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly across the face of goal.

The end to end action continued as Trundle slipped in Fawcett, and with the Ammanford defenders screaming for offside, it took a superb save from Morris to deny the forward his second.

And just before the break the Bluebirds blew an even bigger chance as Williams broke free on the left and squared for Trundle, who with the goal gaping opted to cut inside onto his trusty left foot and Morris recovered to make the save.

But while the intensity of the second half was never going to match what had gone before, it was the home side who turned the screw.

Elliot Scotcher saw his powerful 20-yard effort tipped away by the busy Morris, who then produced an even better save to keep out Trundle’s curling effort.

However, 56 minutes in the second goal came and again it was pleasing on the eye as Alaric Jones, again assured throughout, chipped a pass to Trundle who chested the ball first time into the path of Williams – and the club’s top scorer duly dribbled into the area and placed a shot into the bottom corner.

There was a moment of alarm at the other end when Scotcher’s recovering tackle denied Stottor, who was later replaced by another familiar face to the crowd in Fraser Finlay, with the midfielder having finalised a switch between the two clubs last week.

But on 76 minutes the game was made safe when Trundle produced the kind of magic moment The Meadow is already well accustomed to - whipping a 25-yard shot past a rooted Morris and into the top corner.

And with time running out it was Williams who closed the show, again cutting into the area from the left in the box and placing a low shot across the keeper and into the far corner.

Post-match-reaction: Wayne Jones (Haverfordwest County)

“I’m delighted with another home win – and even more so for the clean sheet again.

“It’s still early days but we are clicking well. Now we have to try and go top at Penybont next week.”

Man of the match: Dan Williams

With every week that goes by, the stock of Williams seems to rise.

It was his cross that helped break the deadlock, and reveling off the service of Trundle and co, his two second half goals were marked by composed finishing.

Yet again he was tireless, and his link up play and ability to cut past defenders at pace shouldn’t be understated amidst his current goal record.

Although he was far from the only player to stand out. His late goal tipped the scales in his favour over Leon Luby, whose driving runs from right back were a feature of the night.

Luby is more than comfortable carrying the ball upfield and crucially, tonight there was end-product to boot, like the pass into Trundle that ultimately led to the opener.

Front three on fire:

Wayne Jones was quick to focus on the clean sheet afterwards and at his disposal he has a back four who are all comfortable in possession, as well of course as being able to defend.

Ricky Watts and co also got hold of the game in midfield in the second half especially, but it was the front three of Williams, Trundle and Fawcett who really provided the fireworks.

Their inter-play is seamless and while the two youngsters provide the pace, Trundle serves as the perfect link up man. All three of course, can also finish.

And they don’t stand still, literally or metaphorically. Midway through the first half Williams and Fawcett swapped flanks, while Trundle also delved between staying central and moving out wide. As a forward unit, they are a nightmare for defences to manage.

Pivotal at Penybont:

It is way too early to talk about defining games in the title race, but come 5pm next Saturday, Wayne Jones will know where his side are really at.

They go to unbeaten league leaders Penybont just a point adrift, and a win will underline what many have already assumed, that Haverfordwest are serious title contenders.

Psychologically as well, it's important the Bluebirds get a result. They've won six from seven league games this season, all of which have been at home.

The fixture schedule is not their fault but it means they are yet to get off the mark on the road and that dramatic defeat at Cambrian and Clydach will still rankle.

I doubt they'll be rolling out the red carpets for Jones and co in Bridgend and it will test not only the quality of his side, but their mentality too.

Haverfordwest County: Steve Hall, Leon Luby, Antonio Facciuto (Sean Pemberton 73), Tim Hicks, Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts (capt), Elliot Thomas, Elliot Scotcher (Ashley Bevan 65), Ben Fawcett (Tom Dyson 65), Lee Trundle, Danny Williams. Subs not used: Jack Wilson.

Ammanford: Craig Morris, Nick Arnold, Rhys Fisher (capt), Euros Griffiths, Nick Glendon, Dale Jones, Matthew Fisher (Gethyn Jones 79), Alfie Stottor (Fraser Finlay 62), Mathew Jones, Liam Samuel, Ricky Martin (Ben Soal 62). Subs not used: Rhodri Jones, James Kirkwood.

Referee: Teifion Cook.

Assistants: Alan Jenkins and Gareth Elliott.