JD Welsh Premier
Penybont 3 – Haverfordwest County 2
Haverfordwest County suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Penybont in a highly entertaining tussle at the SDM Glass Stadium.
Rhys Kavanagh gave the hosts an early lead, but minutes later Ben Fawcett equalised from a corner as it remained 1-1 at half time.
In the second half Rhys Griffiths’ team regained the lead through Keyon Reffell also Ryan Reynolds was on target with his side’s third before substitute Iori Humphreys pulled back a late consolation.
Penybont applied the early pressure and they nearly opened the scoring as Billy Borge headed wide from a corner.
Kavanagh strikes early
In the 15th minute Kavanagh struck to give his side the lead, the striker got on on the end of a decent cross by Owen Kane, however, the visitors reacted positively as Ioan Evans struck a fierce free kick which Kelland Absalom palmed away for a corner.
From the resultant corner by Rhys Abbruzzese, it fell invitingly to Lee Jenkins who headed his goal bound at the far post at keeper Absalom who parried and striker Ben Fawcett reacted quickest to find the back of the net with a cheeky bicycle kick.
The vastly experienced Jazz Richards picked up a knock and had to be replaced by teenager Humphries in defence, whilst Zac Jones pulled off a decent save to deny Reffell.
Bont goal scorer Kavanagh was forced to leave the pitch with an injury and he was replaced by Mael Davies.
It stayed at 1-1 at half time with all to play for in the second period.
A minute after the break saw the Bluebirds go close to taking the lead as Ryan George drilled a wicked shot over the crossbar.
Toe-poke by Reffell
The hosts went 2-1 ahead with the very next attack as Reffell toe poked home from a couple of yards.
On the hour mark the visitors missed a good opportunity to equalise as Jack Wilson headed wide from inside the box.
Ryan Reynolds added a third for the Bont to put them in control, but two minutes from full time Iori Humphreys scored his first senior goal for the club which set up a tense finale.
Too little too late
However, it was a classic case of too little too late for Tony Pennock’s men who suffered their first defeat of the season, but there was plenty of encouraging signs from the youngsters in the squad.
Penybont: Kelland Absalom, Mark Little, Kane Owen, Daniel Jeffries, Nathan Wood, Kai Whitmore, Keyon Reffell, Billy Borge, Rhys Kavanagh (Mael Davies 26’), Ryan Reynolds, Tom Tweedy (Luke Sylvester 79’).
Substitutes not used: Alex Pennock, Jack Shaw, Rhys Griffiths, Jak Carson.
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Jazz Richards (Iori Humphreys 22’), Rhys Abbruzzese (Daniel James 83’), Dylan Rees (Captain), Ben Fawcett, Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale, Lee Jenkins, Ryan George, Jack Wilson, Ioan Evans.
Substitutes not used: Harri John, Lucas Davies.
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones.
Assistants: Bryn Jones & Connor Thomas.
Fourth Official: Teifion Cook.
