Written By Haverfordwest County

Match Report
In a match which was played at pace and in a gusting wind, the Blues lost out to a burst of two goals in three minutes after they had had an equal number of the game’s many chances and certainly deserved a point. The Blues had lost their opening game to Caerau Ely during the promotion season two years ago and it soon became clear that the Cardiff side was going to provide a very stiff test. They are a resolute well-organised outfit and the first half was a tense but interesting affair, with Ely moving forward dangerously under the prompting of their influential midfielder Lloyd Toghill. For all that the Bluebirds, who relied more on the long ball from the back, probably had the better chances in the first half. Ely came nearest to a goal when Rhydian Davies’s back pass to James Gwilt did not quite have the weight and Gwilt was rushed into slicing a clearance. At the other end Ashley Bevan went on a fine run down the right only for his left-foot shot to flash across the face of the goal. Rhys Dalling was put through three times, by Bevan and Steffan Williams, but was ruled offside each time.

Half Time 0-0

The start of the second half saw some strong Caerau Ely pressure but, after one fine reflex save by Gwilt at the Blues’ end, the game was turned around in the 56th minute, when Kristian Speake was tripped as he raced into the penalty area and Davies drove the spot kick in powerfully. In the following ten minutes the Blues looked as if they might well double their lead as Bevan went on a few more runs and, from one fine Steffan Williams cross, Dalling spooned the ball over the bar from close range. There then followed a spell of strong Caerau Ely pressure in which the Blues’ rearguard had to stave off a succession of corners, complemented by some of Toghill’s long throws. They did contrive some fine last-ditch defence, with Sean Pemberton outstanding, but with Gwilt and Nathan Banner also at the heart of things. Then, just when the pressure seemed to have been survived, the visitors were able to pick up a couple of goals when crosses from open play were pounced on and rapped home, in the 80th and 83rd minutes, by Ben Burns and Sam Cawley. The Blues now rallied again and the attack, supported now by the passing abilities of Lee Hudgell, came close. Steffan Williams’ header, after a cross from Nicky Palmer, was inches over the angle of bar and post, and a fine first-time cross from Luke Harris just evaded Hudgell. Even in the 90th minute a ball in from the left bobbled tantalisingly in Scott James’ area before being scratched away.

Full Time 1-2