JD FAW Welsh Cup – Round 1
Haverfordwest County 5 – Penlan Club 3
Haverfordwest County came from behind to secure, in the end, a comfortable victory over Penlan Club to reach the second round of the Welsh Cup.
Goals from Nicky Palmer, Miles John, Ben Fawcett, Tim Hicks and Marcus Griffiths secured victory and a brilliant fightback from The Bluebirds.
This was a cup-tie of two halves – the visitors led 2-1 at the break but they ran out of steam as The Bluebirds fought back strongly scoring four goals in the second period.
The hosts took an early lead when Palmer made no mistake from close range after 3mins and shortly after Fawcett saw his good chance saved at point blank range. But the Swansea League Division One side levelled matters through striker Ryan Parcell with a neatly placed finish. The Bluebirds appeared to be in control though the visitors looked dangerous on the break and just before half time they took the lead when Luke Edwards powered home a header at a corner.
However, the second half told a far different story as the Blues controlled possession and territory whilst they pinned Penlan back into their own half. On 50 mins, right wing back Miles John finished a clever move in superb fashion leaving the impressive Nicholas Lewis no chance in the Penlan goal. A couple of minutes later and the home side took the lead with Fawcett sliding in at the far post. Lewis pulled off a superb save with his feet to deny Griffiths following Kieran Howard’s clever free kick.
In the 67th minute the Bluebirds added their fourth of the afternoon when player/coach Tim Hicks looped a header over Lewis following another well struck Kieran Howard free kick which the keeper did well to keep out.
On 85 mins the Bluebirds put the game beyond any doubt when Fawcett’s corner was only half cleared and Marcus Griffiths instinctively volleyed home from inside the six-yard box.
To their full credit the Swansea outfit grabbed a late goal through left back Liam Otten who scored with a simple tap-in to complete the scoring in a highly entertaining cup-tie.
“Disappointed in the manner we conceded the two goals in the first half,” said Bluebirds manager Wayne Jones. “I was really pleased at the way we reacted in the second half. I think we controlled matters and took our goals well. I have to say that Penlan Club acquitted themselves well and the players were a real credit to their club as were their supporters too.”
Next Friday, 25th October, Haverfordwest County travel to Ammanford for what could be a very important JD Cymru South league game Kick off is 7.30 pm.
Haverfordwest County: Kyle Stuart, Miles John (Harri Rowe 70mins), Jake Merry, Scott Tancock, Sean Pemberton(K Rees 35 mins) Nicky Palmer, Kieran Howard, Ricky Watts, Ben Fawcett, Tim Hicks, Marcus Griffiths.
Substitutes(not used) Leon Pemberthy, Dafydd Harman, Steve Hall(gk)
