MG Nathaniel Cup Third Round:
Taffs Well 1 – Haverfordwest County 1
(Taffs Well win 5-3 on penalties)
Cymru South SIDE Taffs Well won a dramatic penalty shootout to dump JD Welsh Premier League Haverfordwest County out of the MG Nathaniel Cup on Tuesday night.
Midway through the first half Ethan Cann found the back of the net which gave the hosts the lead, despite the visitors creating plenty of chances. Midway through the second period Jack Wilson equalised with a mishit shot from distance as it finished 1-1 at full time.
In the dreaded penalty shootout Bluebirds’ skipper Dylan Rees missed the first and Wilson struck the crossbar with the fifth as Tony Pennock’s Bluebirds crashed out of the cup - but there was a small consolation with 16 year old Harri John making his full league debut and looking as if he belongs at this level,, with Iori Humphreys as another talented teenager making the starting line-up and playing well..
With barely ten minutes on the clock, Jamie Veale intelligently played in Jordan Davies, but his shot from in front flew over the bar. Two minutes later the same man had a shot which was blocked as the Bluebirds appealed strongly for a penalty, but referee Richard Harrington waved away the protests.
The visitors kept pressing forward as Jack Wilson latched onto a long ball over the top of the Wellmen’s defence, but keeper Edward King denied him.
Lee Idzi pulled off a smart save to deny a snap shot by Cann, at the other end Ben Fawcett broke down the wing and his menacing cross just evaded everyone in the box.
In the 23rd minute the hosts broke the deadlock as Cann was given far too much space and he punished the visitors with a slide-rule finish.
Minutes later Wilson’s powerful effort wass parried by King before a header struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced on the line before it was frantically cleared.
A quickly-taken free kick found Wilson, but his drilled shot took a deflection and rolled wide. Davies beat Mackenzie for pace, but he was thwarted by King, who saved his low effort.
On the hour mark The Wellmen nearly extended their lead but Jan Maertins drilled effort struck Idzi’s post.
In the 63rd minute the visitors equalised with an unusual goal by Wilson from distance as it looked as if he had overhit his cross but surprised everyone as it flew into the top left corner.
Although Tony Pennock's team had by by far the better chances neither side could find an elusive winner after 90 minutes so it was settled on penalties, which unfortunately went the way of The Wellmen.
*Haverfordwest County have announced they have signed a new striker, Elliott Dugan, who comes from Bath, on a deal until January, with an option to extend until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. The 21-year-old most recently played for Portadown in the Danske Bank Premiership, Northern Ireland’s top tier league.
This Saturday, 24th September, the JD Welsh Premier resumes and Haverfordwest County entertain Flint Town United at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, kick-off 2.30pm, followed by a home league game against Cardiff Met the following Tuesday night - when they will be very eager to halt a run of four successive narrow defeats.
Taffs Well: Edward King, Vaughn Fowler, Adam Ward, Riccardo Mackenzie, Scott Hillman, Joseph Shephard, Jamie Owen, Joshua Allen (69’ Harry Treharne), Jan Maertins, Marcus Jones (Captain), Ethan Cann (86’ Brandon Griffiths).
Substitutes not used: Harvey Sing, Cian Hales, Marinho Manga, Daniel Hooper, Nicholas Grist.
Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Elliot Scotcher, Dylan Rees (Captain), Lee Jenkins, Ben Fawcett, Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale, Ryan George (58’ Rhys Abbruzzese), Jack Wilson, Iori Humphries, Harri John.
Substitutes not used: Zac Jones, Daniel James, Lucas Davies, Ivan Watkins, Daniel John.
Referee: Richard Harrington.
Assistants: Ian Bird & James Young.
Fourth Official: Teifion Cook.