Welsh League, Division One

Cwmamman United 3

Haverfordwest County 2

The Bluebirds were always going to be in a fight after going a player down after 10 minutes, but it was a blast of three goals, in the quarter of an hour around half-time, which saw them off.

The Blues side contained both Alaric Jones and Jack Wilson, returning from their huge success of the Friday evening when they were part of the Wales Under-18 side which beat England 1-0. But they were off to the worst possible start when Ben Fawcett conceded a red, for a two-footed tackle which many observers felt could have been punished with a yellow.

The Blues fought back and pressed forward and lost one good chance after about 15 minutes when Ricky Watts was cutting in to the by-line on the right and a square ball into Tom Dyson might have been a better option than the long cross he played. They went ahead though in the 27th minute when Leon Luby played a fine ball from midfield for Wilson to round the keeper and find the net.

Things started to slide on the stroke of half-time when Nathan McNeil scored with a free header from a corner. A 47th minute goal from Ryan Hurlow, who beat Kyle Stuart at the near post, was followed by another in the 57th when Hurlow again scored when a melee followed a corner.

Stuart was kept very active after that and pulled off three excellent reaction saves before, in the 70th minute the Blues might just have scored one of their trademark specials when, after a corner, a Sean Pemberton  header went very near.

The visitors were now having plenty of possession and, given the numbers difference, were making a very brave fight-back. Wilson had a couple of half-chances but they had to wait until the 85th minute for their second goal, when Wilson again was fouled in the box and Elliot Scotcher drove in the penalty.

Next Saturday the Blues entertain Taff’s Well on the Conygar Bridge Meadow, kick-off 2.30pm.

Haverfordwest County: Kyle Stuart; Leon Luby (Nicky Palmer, 60); Harri Rowe; Sean Pemberton; Alaric Jones (Fraser Finlay, 75); Tom Dyson (Jake Merry, 60), Elliot Thomas, Elliot Scotcher; Ben Fawcett; Jack Wilson, Ricky Watts.