JD Cymru Premier League:
Haverfordwest County 2 - Cefn Druids 0
Venue: Bridge Meadow Stadium
Referee: Aaron Jones
Assistants: Andy Harris & Jonathan Davis
Fourth Official: Ryan Kenny
Haverfordwest County’s long serving skipper Sean Pemberton’s last match for the club before he retired ended on a happy note as they beat basement club Cefn Druids at the Bridge Meadow Stadium – and he played a major role in defence before he finally left the field after 63 minutes to a standing ovation from the few people in the ground.
He had been provided with a guard of honour from both teams after previously receiving a gift from the club, which was presented by hon secretary Julie Le Grice on behalf of chairman Rob Edwards and his staff, with Kevin Haldane presenting an engraved tankard from the Bluebirds’ Supporters Association.
Bluebirds have the better of the opening exchanges . . .
It was Cefn Druids who had the first sniff of a chance as Harry Fuller drove the ball straight at Wojciech Gajda but from then on it was The Bluebirds who held a clear edge as Cameron Keetch had a good chance following a neat one-two with Ben Fawcett but fired over the bar – and Williams set up a headed chance for Fawcett but his header went the wrong side of the far post.
Then Pemberton had two chances of a fairytale finish to his career as he strode up for set pieces and held his head in his hands as he was just off-target with a near-post flick and then a header.
. . . And Scotcher puts them ahead
But a goal seemed sure to come and after 20 minutes a corner on the right by Keetch curled in and from the ensuing melee Elliott Scotcher had the simplest of tasks to tap home from two yards.
Keetch was also involved a few minutes later when he was hauled down in the box by Druids’ keeper Ben Edwards, who was booked for his clumsy challenge but made amends as he saved Dan Williams’ disappointing effort from the spot.
There were few other chances in the half and Bluebirds’ midfielder Kurtis Rees was yellow carded just before half time for a mistimed tackle.
Good chances not taken . . .
Elliott Scotcher had the first half-chance for The Bluebirds after the break but his volley was high over the bar, as was a Keetch header from a Rees cross. Then a Corey Sheppard free kick was beautifully flicked into the danger zone by Pemberton but James’ header also went high and wide so that three chances had come and gone in the opening 12 minutes of the half.
Keetch was unable to get the necessary far-post touch to a Williams’ cross as he slid in after 62 minutes and Pemberton was replaced by Trystan Jones a minute later to loud applause from both camps.
But Tancock shows his front men how to do it!
The Bluebirds needed a second goal after being in control for so long and it finally came after 75 minutes when the central defender Scott Tancock moved up for a corner and headed home as reward for another solid game at the back.
It looked as if they had added a third three minutes later when the busy Keetch rapped the post with a low left-footed drive and Williams followed up to tap home – but was ruled out for offside!
Marcus Griffiths also thought he had scored but the goal was disallowed for an earlier foul on the keeper and the game ended with The Bluebirds good value for victory over a struggling team.
Manager Jones has the final word
Manager Wayne Jones gave a first team debut to teenage keeper Josh Le Grice and the other subs in the closing five minutes and was clearly satisfied with victory to round off the season.
“We might have had more,” he told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk, but it was important to round off the campaign in a positive way.
“Now the work begins on establishing our squad for next season and I must pay tribute to Sean Pemberton for his wonderful support – and his are a big pair of shoes that need filling!”
Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda (Josh Le Grice); Daniel Summerfield; Sean Pemberton (Capt) (Trystan Jones); Scott Tancock; Ricky Watts; Cameron Keetch; Corey Sheppard; Kurtis Rees (Marcus Griffiths); Elliott Scotcher; Danny Williams (Dan James); Ben Fawcett.
Cefn Druids: Ben Edwards; Josh Green; Kieran Smith; Stefan Edwards (Capt); Mitchell Williams; Alex Darlington; Sam Phillips; Charley Edge; Josef Faux; Niall Flint; Harry Fuller. Subs: Matthew Marshall; Brad Knight.
