Welsh League Division One: Haverfordwest County 3-0 Cwmbran Celtic

Three goals in a nine-minute burst just after half-time gave the Bluebirds a deserved win in a game which they controlled for most of the 90 minutes, writes Robert Nisbet.

The return of Alaric Jones at centre half gave the defence a real solidity, but it also released Ricky Watts to go into the midfield, now four in number. 

Jack Wilson was very lively alongside Ben Fawcett up front, the industrious Tom Dyson was busy in midfield, and 17-year-old left back Harri Rowe, making his home debut, looked polished and composed. Keeper Kyle Stuart did very well with the one stiff shot he had to save and will reflect on a third successive clean sheet.

Fawcett  came close to a goal in the 7th minute when his first shot crashed back off the post to his feet, for him to control the rebound and fire against the other post.

At the other end Josh Bull and Lewis Iles looked the most promising attackers, but Sean Pemberton and Alaric Jones had such a grip on the centre of defence that the Celtic men were forced out wide.

The Blues really dominated in the second half, which they started with a burst of goals. They had now decided that the game needed for the conditions was close passing through the midfield and the final chip over the top with Fawcett and Wilson darting through. Leon Luby tried what was an ideal ball in the conditions, a high dipping cross aimed at keeper Lewis Watkins’ goal, and he saw it float into the top corner.

The next two goals owed much to the persistence and flair of striker Wilson. In the 55th minute he found himself with a moment’s space and angled his 25-yard shot over the advancing Watkins. Two minutes later he blocked an attempted clearance and the ricochet few to Ricky Watts who hammered in decisively.

Haverfordwest County: Kyle Stuart, Leon Luby (Jake Merry, 82), Harry Rowe, Sean Pemberton, Alaric Jones, Tom Dyson, Eliot Thomas, Elliot Scotcher (Nicky Palmer, 70), Ben Fawcett (Jake Kelly 80), Jack Wilson, Ricky Watts.
Sub not used: Fraser Finlay.