PHOTOS:
Steffan Williams scored the Bluebirds’ winner
Lee Hudgell closes in quickly
JD Welsh Cup Round 3
Haverfordwest County 1 – Afan Lido 0
Steffan Williams’ early goal earned Haverfordwest County a hard-fought victory over Afan Lido to reach the last eight of the JD Welsh Cup.
Earlier in the season the Bluebirds got thumped 4-0 in their league clash on the Conygar Bridge Meadow by Lido, but this sweet victory will have boosted the home side’s confidence.
Steff strikes
However, the Bluebirds deservedly defeated the visitors and the only goal of this niggly cup tie came in the tenth minute, Anton Fucciuto’s free-kick on the edge of the area was parried by keeper Chris Curtis, straight to the lurking Steffan Williams who slotted home from close range.
Close calls
After the break it was the home outfit who created the better scoring chances as Steff Williams struck the crossbar with a curling effort from distance; Dalling’s header struck the bar, whilst striker Ashley Bevan also hit the woodwork.
The visitors were reduced to ten men when Ben Thomas was sent off for a dangerous two-footed tackle on Kieran O’Brien.
Minutes later and Lido nearly equalised with defender Cai Owens heading firmly from inside the box straight at keeper James Gwilt.
There was no further scoring in a highly entertaining and competitive cup tie on the Meadow.
Before kick-off both teams observed a minute’s silence in memory of Chapecoense Real.
Haverfordwest County: James Gwilt; Matthew Broome; Antonio Facciuto; Sean Pemberton (Captain); Steffano Antonazzi; Kieran O’Brien; Steffan Williams; Rhydian Davies; Ashley Bevan; Rhys Dalling; Lee Hudgell. Substitutes: Spencer Williams; Alfie Stotter; Fraser Finlay, Sam Franklin.
Afan Lido: Chris Curtis; Cai Owens; Joshua Doyle; Carl Evans (Captain); Craig Davies; Ben Thomas; Shane Williams; Sacha Walters; Carlos Indaj; Christopher Hartland; Kieran Cullen. Substitutes: Shaun Owen; Christian Allen; Leigh Ds Vilgt; Joshua Webber.
Referee: R. Kenny.
Assistants: P. Jones and W. Neale.
