Haverfordwest County 5 – 0 Caerau Ely

Haverfordwest County put on a five-star display to comfortably despatch of Caerau Ely in the opening game of the new look JD Cymru South league season.

Marcus Griffiths and Tom Dyson bagged a brace apiece alongside a long-range Miles John goal.

The Bluebirds deservedly led 2-0 at half time, and really should have scored a few more.

Dyson was felled inside the box for a stonewall penalty, striker Griffiths comprehensively finished past Elliott Matthews.

John scored a terrific second, wide on the right, he cut in and struck a rising shot over goalkeeper Elliott Matthews and into the top corner.

Tyler Brock could have put his side three-up, but Matthews pulled off a terrific save to deny the luckless striker.

Just before the break the visitors could have pulled one back, but Thomas Fry’s clever dink over Steven Hall clipped the post.

After the break the Bluebirds continued to press with Ricky Watts, Kurtis Rees and Dyson pulling the strings in midfield.

Jack Wilson, Elliot Thomas and Harri Rowe were all introduced in the second half by Bluebirds manager Wayne Jones.

Dyson lashed home the third from inside the box, latching onto a terrific Miles John cross, two minutes later Dyson was on target with goal number four, this time assisted by a clever Wilson by-line cut-back.

Skipper Sean Pemberton, Scott Tancock and Sam Rodon were immaculate in defence and Hall didn’t have a save to make in the second period.

Griffiths added his side’s fifth, the striker’s first shot was parried by Matthews, Wilson tried to knock in the rebound which was blocked, and it fell kindly to Griffiths who volleyed home with the second bite of the cherry.

Bluebirds boss Wayne Jones:

“I’m really happy with the result. Got two early goals, but felt we took our foot off the gas in the last 20 minutes of the first half. We also missed a couple of decent chances and should have been three or four goals up at the interval.

“Our defence was solid today and it’s always good to keep a clean sheet. Both Marcus (Griffiths) and Tom (Dyson) finished clinically.”

Haverfordwest County: Steve Hall, Jake Merry, Miles John, Sean Pemberton (Captain), Sam Rodon, Scott Tancock, Kurtis Rees, Tom Dyson, Ricky Watts, Marcus Griffiths, Tyler Brock. Substitutes: Elliot Thomas, Jack Wilson, Hari Row, Kyle Stuart (gk).

Caerau Ely: Elliott Matthews, Jamal Roberts, Thomas Bowen, Jerome Maynard, Joseph Shephard, Huw Corne (Captain), Dylan Amin, Callum Smith, Thomas Fry, Rameer Outlaw. Substitutes: Shai Smith, David Lyon, Levi Robson, Lloyd Toghill.

Referee: Daniel Barclay.

Assistants: Matthew Johnson & Matthew Clarke.