Welshpool Town 1
Haverfordwest County 3

With heavy snow hitting parts of Pembrokeshire, Steffan Williams nearly didn’t make the trip to Welshpool on Saturday, and the home side must have wished he hadn’t as his two goals ensured three valuable away points.

Credit has to be given to Welshpool for getting the game on, as volunteers worked hard to clear the pitch of a thin layer of snow, before kick off.

The West Wales sponsored Bluebirds began the game the liveliest of the two sides, and soon settled down to play smooth passing football. Tom Ramasut was again outstanding in the middle of the field, and Kristian Griffiths and Steffan Williams provided a dangerous attacking option on each wing.

Despite going close on several occasions, County had to wait until the 23rd minute to open the scoring. Jamie Bradford broke into the box, with Williams free on his right and one defender in front of him. A subtle glance to Williams wrong footed both the defender and the keeper, and Bradford slotted the ball home neatly inside the near post. Derek Brazil’s side were in control of the game, and while Welshpool managed a few attacks, Lee Idzi’s goal was never in any real danger.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with the home side never looking likely to draw level, and County pressing for a second. Seven minutes after the break, that goal arrived, with Welshpool mistakenly thinking that their keeper had been impeded. From a corner, Mark Dodds held his ground and leapt for the ball. Welshpool’s keeper collided with one of his own players and was unable to get to the ball which fell loose. In the ensuing melee, Williams poked home the first of his two goals. The protestations of the home side made no impact on the referee, and County were two up.

With the game seemingly secure, Derek Brazil took off Tom Ramasut, and replaced him with Lee Hudgell, and then Tom Billing made way for Nicky Woodrow. The change in players brought about a slight change in tactics, as Woodrow’s pace and width caused no end of problems for the defence. In the 63rd minute Williams scored with a sweet shot from just inside the box to make it three nil, and if the Welshpool keeper hadn’t been in such fine form, both Woodrow and Christopher would have added to the scoreline.

Welshpool got a consolation goal in the 86th minute, and despite a final flurry, never looked like adding a second. Derek Brazil must have been pleased with the way the team played, with Dodds and Elliott forming a formidable central defence partnership. His blend of youth and experience in the side will be tested next Friday when County play Port Talbot Town at the GenQuip Stadium, kick-off 7.30pm.

Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Terry Evans, Mark Dodds, Kyle Graves, Gareth Elliott (Lee Bevan 64), Kristian Griffiths, Jamie Bradford, Tom Ramasut (Lee Hudgell 55), Tom Billing (Nicky Woodrow 58), Jack Christopher, Steffan Williams.

Subs not used: Ricky Watts.