PHOTO:
Rhys Dalling grabbed a late winner for The Bluebirds, here he is taking on Undy Athletic defender Rhys Aherne
Haverfordwest County 2 – Undy Athletic 1
In their final league game of the season Haverfordwest County scored two late goals to secure victory against Undy Athletic at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Ben Lawrence gave the visitors the lead, before Steff Williams equalised from the spot, and Rhys Dalling flicked home a late winner.
With only 18 minutes gone, Bluebirds midfielder Kieran O’Brien was taken off due to a leg injury; this meant a reshuffle for the homesters. Ricky Watts moved up to O’Brien’s midfield position and substitute Spencer Williams slotted into the defence.
The first period, was pretty uneventful in front of goal, Steff Williams, Lee Hudgell, and Steff Davies all skied goal bound efforts well wide of the target.
However, the visitors from Gwent were unlucky not to go into the break a goal ahead, Lawrence dragged a low effort just wide of the target, and James Barnes deflected shot beat James Gwilt, but thankfully for the keeper it struck his crossbar.
Great header
The second period started in the same vein, with both sides wasteful and not taking their chances, but on the 70 minute the deadlock was finally broken. A dangerous cross from the right was met by a firm header by Undy Athletic substitute Ben Roberts.
Minutes earlier, Steff Davies saw his wicket right footed shot palmed onto the crossbar by Athletic’s James Smallcombe, the former Southampton goalkeeper then pulled off a stunning save to deny Kristian Speake equalising with a powerful volley.
Late fight back
The Bluebirds were awarded a penalty eight minutes from full time, up stepped Steff Williams to coolly slot past Smallcombe to his left, and square matters.
A draw looked to be on the cards, but in the 85th minute the Bluebirds carved open an unlikely winner, Steff Davies drove a cross into the six yard box, and Dalling reacted quickest to flick home in the far corner and secure a sweet end of season victory.
This result has secured a fourth spot finish in the league table, after two excellent cup runs, this has arguably been a successful campaign for Bluebirds joint managers Sean Cresser and Chris O’Sullivan, with both striving to improve in next season’s campaign.
Haverfordwest County: James Gwilt; Ricky Watts; Antonio Facciuto; Sean Pemberton (Captain); Stefano Antoniazzi; Kieran O’Brian; Steffan Williams; Greg Walters; Steffan Davies; Rhys Dalling; Lee Hudgell. Substitutes: Kristian Speake; Jamie Evans; Chris O’Sullivan; Spencer Williams.
Undy Athletic: James Smallcombe; Dan Williams; Dan Morgan; Chris Parry; Gyles Thompson; Rhys Ahearne; Ben Lawrence; James Barnes; Marcus Power; Gareth Cuckmore; Tom Wright. Substitutes: Dan Jarman; Ben Roberts; Harry Waterhouse; James Coombs; Ben Davies.
Referee: T. Cook.
Assistants: A. Fellows and J DeSchoolmeester.
