St. Clears 4 Haverfordwest Cricket Club 5

St. Clears can always be guaranteed to put on an exciting home performance and this week's Reserve Division Two game was just that. A match full of twists, turns and changes of plot that eventually saw Daryl Sheehan secure victory for Haverfordwest Cricket Club. Both teams were eager to win and from the start it was clearly a physical game. Throughout the match, both teams lost a man, the home team their captain, and the visitors their goalkeeper. Indeed, the first goal fell to the Saints as a result of the aforementioned 'keeper taking down Sam Mills inside the area. Captain Andrew McCabe took the penalty and Sam Mills followed up the rebound to deliver poetic justice, 1-0. Not all Saturday's goals were won as a result of forfeit, the next from Saints' Paul 'Bruv' Bancroft was an epic piece of ball control. A shot placed at an impossibly tight angle thundered across the face of goal and into the netting, 2-0. The visitors regrouped and continued to make piercing runs into their opponents' territory. An untidy tackle inside the area saw another penalty awarded and Alex Rowell brought the cricketers back into the game, 2-1. Play went back and forth, with the defences of both teams holding tight until Lee Goodinson freed himself from the shackles to equalise before half- time, 2-2. Though St. Clears were one man up, the level score and the sun in their eyes meant they had their work cut out for them. In an attempt to avoid recent results, substitutions were made and positions exchanged. Play did not go according to plan. First, John Ryan beat the home 'keeper to put the cricketers ahead, 2-3, then a clumsy, immature challenge on the edge of the area gave away a free-kick. Alex Rowell stepped forward and perfectly executed a kick over the wall, out of the 'keeper's reach and into the back of the net, 2-4. Saints' response was definite. Determined not to lose two games on the trot, they attacked once more. Andrew McCabe's decisive run from midfield past three players was ended by a fourth just inside the area. Yet another penalty. Jason Owen, just as comfortable attacking goals as keeping them, drew St. Clears a goal closer, 3-4. It was not long before Jason's obvious talents were once more demonstrated with an equaliser from the midfield position. Aimed perfectly between the posts, the shot sailed high before dipping down behind the 'keeper, 4-4. Doggedly, both teams battled and struggled for possession, the pace increased and players gave their all in an attempt to break the stalemate. Even after the cricket club's cross to Daryl Sheehan and the textbook header that won the match, the Saints' battled on; demonstrating, albeit too late, that they have the skills, players and capability to compete with the best teams in their league.