TWO second half goals from Laurie Haworth were enough to give Merlins Bridge an excellent victory over title-chasing Goodwick United at the Racecourse on Saturday (Feb 16).
Goodwick had a man sent off in the first half but when the whistle went to signal the end of the first 45 minutes the score was still 0-0.
In the second half Rhys Dalling came close to scoring but his shot was blocked wide for a corner and from the resulting corner another shot was blocked as the Wizards defended well.
The Wizards then brought on Will Haworth but the visitors continued to press and Jordan Griffiths saw a shot go narrowly wide.
Joe Leahy then picked up the ball on the left wing before cutting inside and playing the ball into the box for Laurie Haworth who fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Griffiths then saw another shot deflected wide for a corner as Goodwick searched for a way back into the game.
The home side were guilty of giving away a number of free kicks but they were able to clear the ball away.
As the game drew to a close Goodwick poured forwards with keeper James Gwilt going up for a late corner.
However, the ball was cleared to Will Haworth who found Luke Hayward who then crossed for Laurie to tap into an empty net and seal the win.
The win for the Wizards moves them into fourth place and they are now sixteen points off leaders Monkton with four games in hand.
Goodwick are now four points behind the Swifts after they suffered their first defeat of the season.
On Saturday (Feb 23), Goodwick will look to get back to winning ways as they host Neyland. Merlins Bridge will look for another win as they travel to St Clears.
