PHOTOS:
Steffan Williams opened the scoring for Haverfordwest County
Ashley Bevan scored a crucial second with a terrific 20 yard strike
Afan Lido 1 – Haverfordwest County 2
Haverfordwest County gained a thoroughly deserved hard fought victory at Afan Lido on Friday evening as reward for an excellent all-round team performance that delighted managers Chris O'Sullivan and Sean Cresser.
This excellent result has impressively pushed The Bluebirds up to second in the table, before the rest of the Saturday’s league programme was completed.
The Bluebirds started this game solidly with not many scoring chances created in the first half as The Bluebirds' robust defence was well organised by skipper Sean Pemberton.In the second period Ashley Bevan struck the side-netting and Rhys Dalling joined Greg Walters and Lee Hudgell in just missing out on half chances created by some good work in midfield.
However, Afan Lido were also looking dangerous as Kieran Cullen struck a low shot wide from the edge of the box, Bluebirds’ goalkeeper James Gwilt also brilliantly parried a dangerous Sacha Walters' free kick.
Super sub Steffan strikes
The visitors eventually opened the scoring in the 76th minute, as substitute Kristan Speake’s clipped a pass from halfway to Ricky Watts, the latter cutting inside to beat home skipper Carl Evans and pull the ball into the danger zone for Steffan Williams to bundle home from close range as Lido failed to clear the danger.
The game was still in the balance at that stage, but the visitors added a crucial second goal in the 86th minute, Watts released Bevan with a lovely through ball that evaded Carl Evans, and the in-form striker struck a wicked 20 yard shot that easily beat Chris Curtis and further enhanced the ex-Hakin striker's growing reputation at this level.
Lido grabbed a consolation goal on the 88th minute mark, a corner led to Gwilt punching the ball onto the head of skipper Carl Evans, for a bizarre goal, but the visitors held out until the final whistle to gain three fantastic points on the road for the second week on the trot, to the evident delight of their hardy band of supporters, and give them ample revenge for a 4-0 home defeat earlier in the campaign.
Afan Lido: Chris Curtis, Josh Doyle, Shane Williams, Carl Evans (Captain), Craig Davies, Ben Thomas, Chris Hartland, Elliot Thomas, Kieran Cullen, Owen Williams, Sacha Walters. Substitutes: Jordan Edwards, Chris Allen, Shaun Owen, Leigh De Vulgt, Carlos Indjai.
Haverfordwest County: James Gwilt, Matthew Broome, Antonio Facciuto, Sean Pemberton (Captain), Jamie Evans, Ricky Watts, Kieran O’Brien, Greg Walters, Ashley Bevan, Rhys Dalling. Substitutes: Spencer Williams, Kristian Speake, Steffan Williams, Chris O’Sullivan.