McWhirter Cup:
Young Bluebirds just 30 seconds from cup glory!
By Bill Carne
Haverfordwest County Youth 3 - Port Talbot Youth 5
(After extra time)
Referee: Phil Johns
Assistants: Mark Howells and Phil Jones
Haverfordwest County's talented youth players came within 30 seconds of a shock win against favourites Port Talbot in the McWhirter Cup at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
They led 3-2 against the current league leaders with referee Phil Johns again looking at his watch but allowed Port Talbot to steal the ball and striker Joe Holland slammed home the equaliser past Dan James to set up extra time.
Keeper James had made several key saves to keep the young Bluebirds ahead but was left totally exposed for the equaliser – as he was during the first period of extra time when Port Talbot added two more goals, despite being reduced to ten men because sub Oliver Bowen had been red-carded.
The physically-strong visitors had the better of the opening half in terms of possession but there was some good work at the back from James and his defence of Jordan Raymond, Bradley Barrett, Scott Griffiths and Ben Adams. Haverfordwest County had the best chance as Liam Fawcett and Dan Jenkins set up a chance for Martin Carroll to get in a right foot volley which beat Connor McFenton in the Port Talbot goal but rattled the upright and was scrambled clear.
Port Talbot scored within five minutes of the restart as Callum Fielden rifled a superb drive in to the far top corner that gave James no chance.
Back came the Bluebirds and Ben Steele missed a one-on-one chance as he shot wide – but Martyn Carroll's superb surge into the box and cross-goal pass allowed Liam Davies to level the scores at the far post.
The visitors regained the lead with a lucky goal as a Haverfordwest clearance attempt rapped the legs of Luke Edwards and the ball ricocheted into the net – but straight from the kick-off the scores were tied up again as Lawrie Haworth made a great run down the left for Liam Fawcett to score a cracking goal.
Fawcett added his second in a frantic period of play as he got the vital touch at a corner whilst at the other end James made several good saves, including one as he stood firm in a one-on-one against Holland.
But then came that late, late equaliser from Holland and in the first period of extra time there were two more goals from the same player, one squeezed in from a narrow angle with his right foot and the other from a left-foot shot.
Haverfordwest County tried hard to claw their way back again without success as Port Talbot travelled home with entry into the next round – but coaches Steve Batty and Colin Fawcett must have been pleased with the way that their Haverfordwest County players looked to play good football at all times!
Haverfordwest County:
Dan James: Jordan Raymond; Bradley Barrett; Scott Griffiths; Ben Adams: Liam Fawcett; Martyn Carroll; Dan Jenkins; Lawrie Haworth: Ben Steele; Liam Davies. Subs: Callum O'Connell; Tom Powell; James Trueman.
PHOTOS:
Bluebirds put in a strong challenge
Scott Griffiths spreads ball wide
Liam Fawcett scores for Haverfordwest
Pictures by Joseph Kiff