JD FAW Welsh Cup – Round 1:

Haverfordwest County 5

Penlan Club 3

Haverfordwest County came from behind to secure a in the end a comfortable victory over Penlan Club to reach the second round of the Welsh Cup.

Goals from Nicky Palmer, Miles John, Ben Fawcett, Tim Hicks and Marcus Griffiths secured victory and a brilliant fightback from The Bluebirds.

This was a cup-tie of two halves – the visitors led 2-1 at the break but they ran out of steam as The Bluebirds fought back strongly scoring four goals in the second period.

The hosts took an early lead when Palmer made no mistake, but the Swansea League Division One outfit levelled matters through striker Ryan Parcell, and just before the break they took the lead as Luke Edwards powered home a header at a corner.

However, the second half told a far different story as The Bluebirds controlled possession and territory as they put the visitors heavily under the cosh.

Right wing back Miles John scored a superb effort which flew past Nicholas Lewis, a couple of minutes later and the home outfit took the lead, Fawcett sliding in at the far post.

Lewis pulled off a superb save with his feet to deny a third, Kieran Howard’s clever free kick fell to Griffiths who struck a wicked low shot.

In the 67th minute The Bluebirds added their fourth of the afternoon, assistant boss Hicks looped a header over Lewis.

Five minutes before the break and The Bluebirds grabbed a fifth, Fawcett’s corner was only half cleared and Griffiths instinctively volleyed home from inside the six-yard box.

To their full credit the Swansea outfit grabbed a late goal through left back Liam Otten who scored with a simple tap-in to complete the scoring in a highly entertaining cup-tie.

“Disappointed in the manner we conceded the two goal in the first half,” said Bluebirds manager Wayne Jones.

“I was really pleased at the way we reacted in the second half. I think we controlled matters and took our goals well.

“I have to say than Penlan Club acquitted themselves well and the players were a real credit to their club.”

On Friday, 25th October, Haverfordwest County travel to Ammanford for a top end of the table tussle which will kick off at 7.30pm.

Haverfordwest County: Kyle Stuart, Miles John, Jake Merry, Scott Tancock, Sean Pemberton (Captain), Nicky Palmer, Kieran Howard, Ricky Watts, Ben Fawcett, Tim Hicks, Marcus Griffiths.

Substitutes: Harri Rowe, Kurtis Rees, Leon Pemberthy, Dafydd Harman, Steven Hall (gk).

Penlan Club: Nicholas Lewis, Dale Rowe, Liam Otten, Luke Edwards, Jamie Jones, Cory Charles (Captain), Paul Thomas, Jordan Doyle, Ryan Purcell, Carl Mucha, Luke Dalling.

Substitutes: Ben Simons, Nayan Green, Paul Lewis, Lee Morgan.

Referee: Kris Hames.

Assistants: Ian Bird & David Badger.