Welsh Premier League Academy Cup Round 5:
Merthyr Town Academy under 12s 1
Haverfordwest County Football Academy under 12s 2
West Wales Property-sponsored Haverfordwest County Football Academy under 12s played for the first time on Merthyr Town’s new 3G artificial pitch on Sunday morning and adapted so well that they came away with an excellent win.
Great start for the visitors
The young Bluebirds made an immediate impression on the game as early goals by Joseph Griffiths and Thomas Davies gave a lead of 2-0 but this looked fragile against a speedy Merthyr team who move the ball well on the fast surface.Tom Mansbridge was outstanding at left back for Haverfordwest and Joseph Griffiths looked likely to add to his goal with some dangerous runs at the home defence. As Merthyr got into the game Rhys Grigg made some good saves behind a hard-working Haverfordwest defence to prevent any score for the home team, until Merthyr striker Charlie Walters shot in from a corner to make the score 2-1 just before half-time.
Action aplenty but no second half goals
The second half saw play swing from end to end but with neither team being able to keep possession in mid-field for any length of time and so control the game. Both teams lacked the composure to finish good moves with a shot on target, but Haverfordwest County showed enough resilience within their squad to hang on to their lead and get the points.
The match was well refereed and the 3G pitch showed the value of being able to beat the wet weather conditions and provide an excellent surface on which to play good football.
Haverfordwest County Football Academy under 12s Squad:
Rhys Grigg ; Torin Nicolson; Tom Mansbridge; James Gardner; Kieran Allen; Joe Pritchard; Thomas Davies; Seamus Drake; James Hall; Nathan Froment; Joseph Griffiths; Daniel English; Jacob Hipkiss; Darren Gibson; Joshua Williams; Dylan Noot.
Main Sponsor West Wales Property