JD Cymru South:

Caerau Ely 0

Haverfordwest County 2

Tim Hicks grabbed two late goals to help Haverfordwest County secure a hard-fought victory at rock bottom Caerau Ely.

This result means The Bluebirds stay two points clear at the top of the table, with Swansea University in second snapping at their heels with a game in hand.

On the opening day of the season Haverfordwest County put five past Caerau Ely at the Bridge Meadow, but this proved a far tougher affair as Bluebirds’ boss Wayne Jones picked the same starting line-up that gained a cracking 1-0 victory at Ammanford in midweek.

After having most of possession and territory in the first half it stayed goalless at half time.

Ten minutes after the break County midfielders Kieran Howard and Nicky Palmer were replaced as Ricky Watts slotted from the back into midfield and Miles John went wide on the right with and Jack Wilson playing as a lone striker.

This gave the visitors a better balance and they were unlucky not to break the deadlock as Wilson broke down the left and his low cross was met by Marcus Griffiths whose shot was somehow cleared off the line.

In the 65th minute, skipper Sean Pemberton shot through a crowded area from a corner and again it was cleared off the line.

On came match winner Hicks who replaced the hard-working Griffiths.

In the 75th minute the visitors finally opened the scoring, great work from Ben Fawcett whose shot was parried straight in the path of Hicks who made no mistake from close range.

Minutes later and Hicks thought he had scored a second as he bundled the ball into the net, but it was disallowed as the player assistant boss was adjudged to have used his hand.

Seven minutes from full time the visitors added a second to give them clear daylight, Wilson the provider as the teenager played in Hicks who tucked into an empty net.

“Clean sheets win matches,” Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones said shortly afterwards.

“The second half substitutions made the difference for us and Hicks grabbed the headlines with two late goals.”

Haverfordwest County have break from league action and their next game is on Saturday, 14th December, against Pontypridd Town, at the Bridge Meadow, kick off 2.30pm.

Haverfordwest County: Kyle Stuart, Sean Pemberton (Captain), Scott Tancock, Sam Rodon, Ricky Watts, Harri Rowe, Kieran Howard (55 Jack Wilson), Nicky Palmer (55 Marcus John), Kurtis Rees, Marcus Griffiths (70, Tim Hicks), Ben Fawcett.

Substitutes not used: Jake Merry, Osian Williams.