HAVERFORDWEST County pulled off an MG Cup first round shock on Tuesday (Aug 28), as they beat Welsh Premier League side Llanelli Town at the Bridge Meadow.
Perhaps with one eye on Friday’s (Aug 31) encounter with Aberystwyth Town, the Reds rested a few of their players but still featured James Loveridge who scored in Llanelli’s game with Barry last Friday (Aug 24).
The Bluebirds were also without a number of their key players, including former Llanelli Town striker Lee Trundle but the youthful Bluebirds did not seem to miss his presence on the pitch.
There was a cagey start to the match with both teams giving the ball away and testing the other keepers with a few long range efforts.
James Loveridge came close for the visitors when he broke free of the defenders but his shot was well saved by County keeper Steve Hall.
Jordan Follows also looked lively but he saw a number of efforts blocked as the Bluebirds defended well.
Jack Wilson then played the ball into the box for Fraser Finlay but his shot was plucked out of the air by Reds keeper Oliver Davies.
Then with fifteen minutes on the clock Wilson picked up the ball in his own half and went on a mazy run which saw him lay the ball off for Tom Dyson who in turn passed back to Wilson who ran on to slot the ball into the bottom right corner for a fine opening goal.
Dyson was then unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as his rasping 25-yard drive smacked back off the crossbar and was cleared from danger.
Wilson then saw a shot go just wide as the Bluebirds continued to have more of the possession.
Hall was then forced into a save by Robert Thomas as his long drive looked to be going in before Hall got his hands on the ball.
On the stroke of half time Llanelli almost got themselves back in the game as a ball into the box wasn’t dealt with as Follows stole the ball only to send his shot into the side netting.
It remained 1-0 at half time but the home side knew they would face a fight back in the second half.
Both sides had chances early on in the second half but it was the Bluebirds who got the all-important second goal.
Twenty minutes in a corner from Finlay found Ben Fawcett whose header flew into the net to give the home side one foot in the next round.
Their place was secured five minutes from time as sub Martyn Carroll squared into the box for Finlay who fired in for a deserved goal.
The Bluebirds will now look forward to seeing who they play in the next round while Llanelli will look to concentrate on their Premier League campaign.
Llanelli are back in Premier League action on Friday night (Aug 31), as they take on Aberystwyth at Park Avenue.
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