Seasiders celebrate 1,000 landmark game with crucial win over Bluebirds

JD Cymru Premier

 

Aberystwyth Town 2 – Haverfordwest County 0

 
Aberystwyth Town became the first club to reach 1,000 games in the top tier of Welsh football as they celebrated in style with a victory over ten-man Haverfordwest County at Park Avenue in front of a bumper crowd on Tuesday evening.

Both goals were scored in the second half, Sam Phillips opened the scoring for the Seasiders, substitute Henry Jones who had only been on the pitch a two minutes was issued a straight red card for strongly protesting the penalty decision which Matthew Jones despatched to secure the points much to the delight of the Green Army.

The Seasiders best opportunity of scoring came through Phillips’ curling cross which was met by a firm Steff Davies’ header which flew wide of the target.

An early powerful Jordan Davies strike flew over the crossbar, that was the best chance the visitors could muster.

After a goalless first period, the action intensified in the second period, the visitors had the bulk of the possession.

In the 56^th minute the visitors made two substitutions as Ben Fawcett and Kurtis Rees were replaced by Alhagi Touray Sisay and Corey Shephard respectively.
 

Sam strikes for Seasiders

In the 64^th minute the Seasiders broke the deadlock through a defensive blunder. Elliot Scotcher played the ball on the edge of the box to skipper Dylan Rees, Sam Phillips dispossessed the defender then ran clear and coolly finished past the advancing Lee Idzi.

On 70 minutes the visitors made another double substation as Kieran Lewis and Henry Jones replaced Danny Williams and Ricky Watts.
 

Seasiders spot on as Jones sees red

Matters got worse for the Bluebirds as referee Aaron Jones pointed to the spot, the visitors were reduced to ten-men as Jones protested, but Matthew Jones kept his cool to drill home from 12 yards.

Kieran Lewis played an excellent ball through to Jordan Davies, but the Bluebirds striker again failed to hit the target, that missed opportunity summed up their night, as the Seasiders celebrated a crucial victory which puts them five points clear of the drop zone.

Aberystwyth Town: G. Zabret, T. Rimmer, R. Davies, L. Bradford, L. Jenkins, J. Thorn, M. Jones, J. Veale, H. Franklin, S. Phillips (88, B. Wynne), S. Davies (58, D. Evans).
Substitutes not used: A. Pennock, O. Oxford, C. Allen, J. Jones, K. Booker.
Haverfordwest County: L. Idzi, J. Richards, E. Scotcher, R. Watts (71, H. Jones), B. Fawcett (56, A. Touray Sisay), J. Wilson, D. Rees, K. Rees (56, C. Shephard), R. George, D. Williams (71, K. Lewis), J. Davies.
Substitutes not used: W. Gajda, J. Le-Grice, I. Humphries.
Referee: Aaron Jones.
Assistants: Ian Bird & Huw Jones.
Fourth Official: Huw Jones.