PHOTOS:
Haverfordwest County Development Squad




Risca United Development Squad

Welsh Development League (South):

Haverfordwest County Development Squad 2 - Risca United Development Squad 1

 
Venue: Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium
Referee: Dave Badger
Assistants: Gareth Elliott; Sion Jenkins
 
Own goals set up by Rowan Nicholson and Paul Miller put third-placed Haverfordwest County on the road to a home victory against a Risca United side two positions below them in the table but showing typical grit to battle their way back into contention late on.

Bluebirds’ coach Steve Batty came on for a short cameo at the end of the match but as well as showing three neat touches he will have been telling his team afterwards about the need to turn chances into goals because his team had far more opportunities to score than their battling opposition.

Nasty moment – and the first goal

An absorbing clash was well refereed by David Badger, who kept a firm control as he dealt with one unfortunate spitting incident which quite rightly left Haverfordwest defender Leon Luby outraged, and ensured that play flowed from end to end.

After a tight first quarter where Adam O’Brien and Callum Porter posed a threat for Risca, it was the home side who took the lead after good work by skipper Luke Raymond and Alfie Stottor before the ball went out wide to Rowan Nicholson – and his cross cum shot took a deflection and beat Joshua Archer in the Risca goal.

Alfie Stottor than beat Archer but his wicked volley smashed against the bar and was cleared – whilst at the other end Sam Franklyn made a good low save from Jason Gardiner.

Cracking second half

Whatever coaches batty and Simon Berry (who played the whole game as central defender) said at the interval saw both teams play constructive football in the second half, with the Young Bluebirds doubling their score when Paul Miller made one of a number of runs down the right flank and his unselfish attempted pass inside to a better-placed Stottor was intercepted by Berry but turned into his own net.

Risca keeper Archer tipped a Nicholson drive over the bar and also saved well from Dany Raicu and the impressive Max Brindley, whilst Raymond fired over the bar in a good period for the Blues, but where outstanding Risca captain Tyler Broom did some yeoman work in defence.

Tense finale for Young Bluebirds

The visitors used Tom Hodge and Jordan Needs to gradually gain the chance to fight back and Franklyn made excellent saves from O’Brien and Porter – but had no chance when a defensive error allowed Porter to score with a fierce shot.

There was still time for further chances at both ends but no more goals and so Haverfordwest County could celebrate another home win that keeps them near the top, whilst Risca showed they can hold their own with anybody on this sort of form.

Haverfordwest County: Sam Franklin: Leon Luby; Ewan Jones; Louis Thompson; Chris Brown: Paul Miller; Max Brindley; Luke Raymond (Capt); Rowan Nicholson: Alfie Stottor; Dany Raicu. Subs: Dan Williams; George Taylor; Steve Batty.

Risca United: Joshua Archer: Tyler Broom (Capt); Jake Eynon; Simon Berry; Kyle Thomas: Tom Hodge; Louis Cocks; Jordan Needs; Jason Gardiner: Adam O’Brien; Callum Porter.  Subs: Brad Jenkins; Rob Hughes; Josef Reynolds.