Welsh League Division One: Haverfordwest County 2-0 Llantwit Major

Solid if not spectacular, it was a case of job done for Haverfordwest County this afternoon as goals from Ricky Watts and Dan Williams gave them a winning start against Division One new boys Llantwit Major.

In torrential rain, the Bluebirds defied the conditions to play slick football in the first 45 minutes as they led 2-0 at the break, and had few problems thereafter leaving manager Sean Cresser more than satisfied.

“It was a good result and job done for the first game of the season,” he told Telegraph Sport afterwards.

“Obviously they are newly promoted and we didn’t know much about them. But we had the 2-0 lead at half time and I told the boys I would take that score at the final whistle.

“We didn’t have a clean sheet in pre-season so as an ex-defender that was the most pleasing bit for me.”

The weather failed to stifle a lively opening few minutes, and the visitors could have been ahead when Josh Jones cut into the area and fired a low shot past Haverfordwest keeper Steve Hall – but his shot was deflected away as Bluebird defenders scrambled back.

And then just six minutes in the home side led, as Williams surged down the left and squared for Watts – who made no mistake from eight yards out.

The same pairing combined again as Llantwit centre back Sean Williams did well to cut out a dangerous ball from his namesake Dan – as the Bluebirds continued to knock the ball about incisively.

New signing Ben Fawcett and player-coach Tim Hicks, restored to his role up front, caused constant problems and they combined in another quick attack which saw a penalty appeal turned down when Williams’ header appeared to hit the arm of a defender.

The forward pair threatened again when youngster Fawcett crossed for Hicks, who turned well before hitting a low left foot shot that keeper Jack Lansdown blocked with his legs.

Right back Matthew Broome was another to impress as he saw a 25 yard shot fly just wide, and Tom Dyson’s trickery drew the first yellow of the game as he was taken down by Jonathan Fletcher.

Hicks was again thwarted by Lansdown when he pounced on a defensive mix up but clipped his angled effort straight at the keeper – and at the other end home keeper Steve Hall needed lengthy attention after clattering with Llantwit striker Ben Cripps.

But then before the break – came the decisive second goal.

It was Dyson who crossed from the right and Williams showed great composure to trap the ball, turn, and place a shot high into the net.

To Llantwit’s credit, they came out with intent after the break as the rain worsened further, and Jones was twice denied by the onrushing Hall as his control let him down in the area.

Cresser was forced to reshuffle as the injured Alaric Jones came off for Jack Wilson, with Hicks moving back into defence, and it then took a smart save from Hall to deny Anthony Rawlings as he volleyed a Mark Evans’ cross on target.

But in the final quarter, Haverfordwest re-assumed control and Watts set up a counter attack which saw both Wilson and Fawcett denied.

Williams should have made the game safe when he latched onto Sean Pemberton’s flick on but then placed his shot against the foot of the post – and Elliot Scotcher cracked a 25 yard rising that shot that narrowly cleared the bar.

The final minutes petered out but it would have been of little concern to Cresser, and with a spate of home games to come, the Bluebirds have got the start they needed.

Haverfordwest County: Steve Hall, Matthew Broome, Sean Pemberton (capt), Alaric Jones (Jack Wilson 55), Antonio Faccutio, Elliot Scotcher, Ricky Watts, Tom Dyson (Nicky Palmer 64), Ben Fawcett (Leon Luby 85), Tim Hicks, Danny Williams.

Subs not used: Fraser Finlay.

Llantwit Major: Jack Lansdown, Jamie Miller, Jonathan Fletcher (Robert Jones 78), Sean Williams, Glyn Davies, Mark Evans, Jonathan Fletcher, Mike Hartley (Lee Jones 76), Ben Cripps, Anthony Rawlings (capt), Josh Jones (Nathan Renfree 76).

Subs not used: Lewis Brown, Josh Morgan.

Referee: K Hames.

Assistants: D Badger and A Jenkins.