Haverfordwest County 2

MBi Llandudno 0

THE Bluebirds’ first league win was a thoroughly-deserved one, with two well-worked goals from Steffan Williams and Dale Griffiths the highlights of a performance which showed real graft and determination.

An impressive aspect of the win were the fine displays given by the three substitutes. Jack Christopher, Greg Walters and Sean Pemberton might all have been disappointed not to make the starting eleven, but all came on to give really sterling performances.

Walters, in particular, coming on for the injured Liam Hutchinson after half an hour, gave a strong and combative display in midfield.

This sort of 14-man commitment augurs well for what will be a long season in which squad loyalty will be vital. Part of the reason for the changes may have been that Wayne Jones had tried a slightly experimental formation at Penybont in the midweek Word Cup-tie and the new format had paid off with a fine 4-0 win which featured a striking trio of Steffan Williams, Luke Borrelli and John Roberts.

It was this trio which combined to produce the Bluebirds’ opening goal in the 18th minute when Borrelli and Roberts drew the Llandudno defence out with a flurry of short passes and a cross before the ball broke to Williams, who drove low into the right-hand corner. Before and after this goal the visitors pressed quite a lot, with the dangerous Gareth Evans raiding down the right.

But they had little to show for it, as the Blues defence dug in, and we saw just a chip over the bar from Evans and a pile-driver from left back James Joyce which drew a superb save from Scott James. Then, just before half-time, Roberts won a good ball and sent in a cross which almost shaved Borelli’s forehead before whistling through.

The second half had a similar pattern, with Llandudno having maybe two-thirds of the possession and territory but the Blues defending with great doggedness, giving the opposition nothing. The Blues’ counter-attacks were sharp enough and frequent enough to inhibit Llandudno from throwing too much forward and it was this readiness to keep attacking which paid off with a second goal in the 80th minute.

Kieran Howard’s corner was scrambled out and back to him and his second ball in was met by a thumping header from Griffiths to give the Blues a 2-0 lead and install ‘Gonzo’ as joint top scorer. The three points are obviously important but best of all maybe was the positive 14-man performance which suggests that the Blues will be stiffer and stiffer opposition to any club as the season goes on.

Haverfordwest County entertain Port Talbot Town in a league encounter on Tuesday evening , September 22, at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Haverfordwest County: Scott James, Ricky Watts, Ryan Batley, Dale Griffiths (Captain), Sam Rodon, Kieran Howard, Nicky Palmer, Liam Hutchinson, Steffan Williams, Luke Borrelli, John Roberts. Substitutes: Sean Pemberton, Greg Walters, Declan Carroll, Jack Christopher, Spencer Williams.

MBi Llandudno: Dave Roberts, Michael Johnston, James Joyce, Jonny Spittle, Mike Williams, Gareth Evans, Tom Dix (Captain), Danny Hughes, Lee Thomas, Alan Bull, Marc Williams. Substitutes: Connor Tierney, Lewis Buckley, Danny Shaw, Liam Dawson, Lewis Moynes.

Referee: Tom Williams.

Assistants: Eddie King & Daniel Beckett.

Fourth Official: Kevin Bowen.