Welsh League, Division One

Haverfordwest County 0

Cardiff Metropolitan Uni 2

THIS was a very fine game between two sides who really looked the best in the league and the Bluebirds felt at the end that they had deserved to win it, writes Robert Nisbet.

The Bluebirds fielded a slightly depleted side with Greg Walters in for the injured Ricky Watts at right back, Steffan Davies deputising for the suspended Luke Borelli at centre forward, with Chris O’Sullivan missing from the midfield. But they looked a sharp and cohesive unit for most of the first half. They mounted about eight crisp attacks, with Davies’s shot crashing back off the keeper in the 3rd minute and a later pile-driver from Kieran Howard having a similar fate. Between these escapes, Jordan Follows was twice crowded out and Sean Pemberton, racing into the box, looked through but stumbled under pressure from a defender. Davies headed just wide after a neatly chipped cross from Follows.

But the one first half goal went to the Met, who had often been dangerous on the break. Adam Roscow found himself plenty of room to head in a left-wing cross at the far post. So the Met went in with a flattering scoreline.

The Met were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box in the 46th minute, but Elliot Scotcher’s shot swerved over the bar. But now the Bluebirds really built up steam and posed a real threat, with Howard’s corners (the Blues had nine of them in the course of the game) being met with several headers which skimmed just over Will Fuller’s cross bar or were blocked on the line. But the Met survived the test and the issue was settled by John Littlemore, who had seen a dangerous shot tipped on to the post by Craig Morris just earlier and who wrapped things up with an 85th minute goal after the ball bobbled momentarily in the Blues penalty area.

The defeat is a setback but there is plenty of the season left. Next Saturday the Blues travel to play a difficult away fixture at Cambrian & Clydach.

Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Greg Walters (James Spencer Williams, 88) ; Antonio Facciuto (Matthew D’Ivry, 88); Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths; Kieran Howard; Nicky Palmer; Sean Pemberton; Steffan Davies; Jordan Follows; Owen Thomas (Declan Carroll, 62). Sub not used: Dan Evans (g/k).