Bluebirds hit by rocking Robins

Milford UTD 8 Haverfordwest County 2

Milford Utd did their confidence the world of good on Saturday following this emphatic victory over struggling Haverfordwest County.

The scoreline suggests that this was a one sided affair but it took a half time rollicking by home manager Brian Burgoyne to get the best out of them after they allowed the visitors to draw level at the interval.

On a pitch made heavy following the recent downpours that postponed many matches in the county, both teams attempted to play football from the start and they combined to produce an entertaining tussle that would have pleased the spectators who braved the cold conditions.

Milford put the home side under pressure from the outset and but for a series of missed chances could have scored up to five goals before the break but as it happens they only scored two.

Nick Jones, who was a constant threat to Haverfordwest all afternoon, had the best chance early on but a lack of composure as a goal beckoned saw Stuart Jones make a good save.

Working on their strength down the left, Milford were able to utilise the industry of Tom Carrington and the work rate of Joff Lennon and Leighton Edwards to put the Blues under pressure and they finally scored after the ball went loose following a corner and Carrington toe poked it in.

Moments later United were on the attack again but Lennon shot over the bar when faced with a one on one with the keeper. Chances then fell to Jones who struck the ball well but his shot was saved and to Edwards who should have done better than to shoot wide.

The pressure finally told when they went 2-0 up when bulky defender Jamie Black deftly struck the ball over the visiting defence and Jones kept his cool to round the keeper for a well worked goal.

Haverfordwest then responded with a goal of their own which was brilliantly put away by new recruit Lee Waters after his solo effort down the left and powerful shot gave Richard Phillips no chance.

Soon after they drew level after a mix up in the home defence allowed Waters to grab his second just before half time.

Burgoynes lecture during the break worked straight away as the Robins came out with the intention of playing the ball around the park to stretch the visiting defence and at times their football was a joy to watch.

They would have scored within seconds of the re-start had Jones not made two dramatic diving saves from attempts by Lennon and Mike Mathias. They were top quality efforts that saw him fully stretched, low to the ground and frustrating his opponents as the ball was pushed wide on both occasions.

He could do little to stop the third, which was scored by Andrew Burgoyne after he took possession 35 yards out and slammed the ball home after picking his spot passed a bemused defence.

A mazy run by John Morgan could have drawn the Blues level again but it proved to be their only attempt on goal as the remainder of the second half belonged to Milford.

The fourth was scored by Mathias following a good team build up and the fifth was put away by Edwards who calmly slotted the ball home after it was worked up field.

Goal number six fell to Lennon who showed good skill and composure to score while Edwards grabbed his second for the teams seventh.

Finally it was the turn of Black to score after he rose tall following a Mathias cross and he powerfully headed the ball into the back of the net. A pleased Brian Burgoyne said after the match:

We played some good football on a heavy pitch but it was disappointing to let them back to 2-2 after having three one on ones with the keeper, but we produced the goods in the second half.