Welsh League Division One

Goytre 5

Haverfordwest County 1

THE Bluebirds’ bandwagon ground to a halt on Goytre’s Plough Road ground after a game in which they were punished for a few mistakes and were well outgunned by a powerful Goytre side.

Goytre are a big, physical team who pose a similar threat to that of the West End side of few seasons ago, when playing a long-ball game on their postage stamp-size pitch. Playing down the slope in the first half, they attacked strongly but for 20 minutes the Bluebirds defended very well. Then, in the 27th minute, Jamie Evans was penalised and yellow-carded for a tackle just outside the area and Goytre’s experienced striker Dan MacDonald curled his free kick around the wall. A further goal followed in the 29th minute when another free kick crept into the 6-yard area and was stabbed in.

What really capped a bad first half was the third goal in the 36th minute, when Antonio Facciuto’s ball back in from the touchline did not reach Sean Pemberton and in the ensuing scramble James Gwilt was left stranded and a Goytre attacker could walk the ball in.

An injury to Ricky Watts late in the first half did not help matters, but the Blues started the second half determined to take advantage of the slope and to press forward. A Goytre defence well-marshalled by ex-Carmarthen player Luke Prosser was a stubborn one to break down and in the 65th minute the Blues were hit by a fourth Goytre goal.

One bright spot came in the 70th minute. We have waited a long time for a Nicky Palmer goal but now, like the local buses, two have come along at once. As he did against Caldicot a fortnight ago, he volleyed in sweetly from 20 yards to offer a glimmer of hope. But from the very kick-off Goytre drove back upfield and, after Matthew Broome had slipped up in a wide right position, they were able to restore the four-goal advantage.

Next Saturday, the Blues play Port Talbot on the Conygar Bridge Meadow, kick-off 2.30pm.

Haverfordwest County: James Gwilt, Matthew Broome, Antonio Facciuto, Jamie Evans, Sean Pemberton, Nicky Palmer, Greg Walters (Kieran O’Brien, 80), Ricky Watts (Steffan Williams 45), Ashley Bevan, Steffan Davies, (Rhys Dalling, 72), Lee Hudgell.
Subs not used: Spencer Williams, Kristian Speake.