By James Dow

Haverfordwest County AFC booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup after a 4-1 win over 10-man Swansea City under-21s on Wednesday night.

A goal inside 20 minutes from Owain Jones, followed by second-half finishes from Greg Walters, Luc Owen and Ben Ahmun saw the Bluebirds progress into the last eight in front of a crowd of 609 at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.

The young Swans were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes remaining after Pembrokeshire-born Ramon Rees-Siso was given his marching orders by referee Jordan Harman, for a second yellow card after a strong challenge on Ricky Watts.

It was a positive first half for County, who used their physical advantage against a young Swans side to create a host of chances before Jones’ opener in the 18^th minute.

Tony Pennock’s side became much more ruthless during the second period, and took full advantage of the extra man during the last ten minutes of the match with two goals in as many minutes to ensure their place in the quarter-finals.

The Bluebirds started strong, with a great delivery from Dan Hawkins finding Alaric Jones at the back post, but after his close-range header was saved, he lifted his effort on the rebound over the crossbar.

The young Swans threatened minutes later when some good build-up saw Josh Pescatore with space to shoot from the edge of the area, but his effort again rose over the bar.

Hawkins had the best chance during the opening stages after Alaric Jones raced down the left flank and delivered a superb cross into the penalty area, with the forward’s first-time effort from distance going straight over.

The hosts broke the deadlock minutes later after Ahmun drove into the box from the left-hand side and produced a pinpoint ball onto the head of his strike partner Jones, who directed his header into the far corner of the net.

The Bluebirds continued to enjoy large spells of the ball with Corey Shephard cutting in onto his right foot to strike an effort at Evan Anderson, but the Scotsman was able to gather the ball.

The Swans did look technically strong on the ball, with Rees-Siso releasing an effort from just outside of the area which he dragged wide of Ifan Knott’s right post.

The Swans did have a late effort during added time of the first half as Zach Jeanes drove at the Bluebirds defence an unleashed a powerful effort towards Knott, but the effort was blazed over the bar.

The visitors started the second half well and thought they had found an equaliser through Tom Woodward, but his goal was disallowed due to the midfielder finding himself in an offside position.

Ahmun nearly added to the Bluebirds’ lead five minutes into the second half when his audacious long-range effort caught Anderson off guard. However, the young goalkeeper managed to tip the strike onto the crossbar.

Owain Jones was next to test Anderson from disrance, with the forward’s half-volley from 35 yards being caught by the backpeddling  goalkeeper.

The momentum began to shift in the Town’s favour as they pushed for a second goal, and they almost found it on the hour mark. Clever link-up play between Owain Jones and Hawkins created space for the latter, but the former Swan’s strike from 12 yards was denied by Anderson, who got down well to make the save.

The Bluebirds were rewarded for their perseverance with 25 minutes to play after substitute Ben Fawcett delivered a brilliant ball across the face of goal which was met by Greg Walters, who poked it past Anderson from point-blank range.

Swansea almost pulled a goal back instantly after some great footwork from Sebastian Dabrowski saw the defender find himself inside the box, but his strong effort was straight at Knott.

Swansea did pull one back just after the 70^th minute after midfielder Woodward found space in the box before smashing a low effort past Knott at his near post to reduce the Bluebirds’ lead to one.

It would be the end of the match for local boy Rees-Siso with just under 20 minutes to play, after the winger received his second yellow of the match after a late challenge on Watts.

The hosts took advantage of the extra man and added their third of the evening with another great ball being delivered into the box from Hawkins which was met by academy graduate Owen, who tapped in from close range for his first senior goal for the Bluebirds.

Just a minute later, Ahmun found himself on the scoresheet when he produced a fantastic left-footed curling effort from just outside of the area which sailed past Anderson and into the top left-hand corner.

There was a late chance for the Swans to find a consolation goal in the final minutes after a ball delivered across goal from substitute Caio Ifans was met by Morgan Bates, but the young striker was unable to direct his effort on target.

Haverfordwest County: Ifan Knott, Dylan Rees (Panashe Makwiramiti 74’), Rhys Abbruzzese, Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts (Tom Shepherd 80’), Corey Shephard, Dan Hawkins, Greg Walters, Owain Jones (Ben Fawcett 64’), Iori Humphreys, Ben Ahmun

Unused substitutes: Luc Rees, Ashley Watkins, Hari Thomas

Swansea City under-21s: Evan Anderson, Thomas Searle (Brogan Popham 45’), Zacharhy Jeanes, Dan Watts (Callum Deacon 84’), Blair McKenzie (Carter Heywood 83’), Sebastian Dabrowski (Caio Ifans 84’), Joshua Pescatore (Billy Clarke 84’), Thomas Woodward, Morgan Bates, Yori Griffith, Ramon Rees-Siso

Highlights