JD Cymru Premier – Phase 1
Newtown 2 - Haverfordwest County 0
Newtown scored a goal in each half to secure victory against Haverfordwest County on a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon at Latham Park.
The Bluebirds came into this league clash on the back of three wins on the bounce, but the Robins were also in good form as they’ve now won four games in a row.
Chris Hughes’ Robins moved up the table to sixth, whilst Tony Pennock’s Bluebirds have slipped down to eighth.
Goals by Nigel Aris and Rhys Hesden, plus a clean sheet, pleased boss Hughes as they have put themselves in a good position going into the busy Christmas fixture period.
Ben Fawcett picked up an early knock which required treatment, but the striker was able to carry on.
Louis Robles met Callum Roberts’ pinpoint cross in the box, but the effort warmed the gloves of keeper Lee Idzi.
Midway through the half the visitors created a decent chance as Jordan Davies broke down the right and his cross found Henry Jones, who took a touch before his low drive was saved by Dave Jones.
Robins break deadlock
Lee Jenkins glanced a header from a Henry Jones' free kick straight to Jones, and minutes later the hosts opened the scoring when a long ball fell to Nick Rushde, who controlled and played a well-weighted pass into the path of Aris, who showed composure to slot past Idzi.
Before the break, the Bluebirds had a good chance to equalise as a long throw fell to Elliott Dugan in the box, but his shot from an acute angle was wide of the target.
Positive start to second half
After the break, the visitors started positively and it looked as if they were going to get back on level terms as an effort hit the post and was cleared.
Left back Rhys Abbruzzese struck a powerful shot from outside the area, which was saved low by Jones, and minutes later Jenkins headed straight to Jones from an Abbruzzese cross.
Six minutes from full time the hosts doubled the lead when Rushden’s low shot was parried by Idzi, only for substitute Hesdon to finish at the back post, and there was no coming back from that as the Robins sealed victory. The final third has been an issue for most of the season.
Gaffer speaks
Shortly after the final whistle disappointed Bluebirds’ boss Tony Pennock said: “It was a really disappointing result; the goals we conceded were really naive defending and at times that has been our downfall; against the more experienced sides we should grind out results, it’s another occasion where that’s happened.”
He added about his side not taking their chances. “The final third has been an issue for most of the season, the last few games it was better, we created quite a lot of chances today but need to be more clinical.”
Newtown: Dave Jones, Callum Roberts (90’ Matty Jones), Ryan Sears, Kieran Mills-Evans (Captain) (90’ Dylan Downs), Shane Sutton, Nick Rushton (82’ Theo Wharton), Louis Robles, Nigel Aris (66’ Rhys Hesden), Aaron Williams, Henry Cowans, Jake Walker.
Substitutes not used: Josh Hyde, Brett Taylor, James Smallwood.
Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Rhys Abbruzzese, Lee Jenkins, Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard (Captain), Ben Fawcett, Henry Jones, Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale, Iori Humphreys, Elliott Dugan (68’ Ryan George).
Substitutes not used: Zac Jones, Elliot Scotcher, Ioan Evans, Ivan Watkins, Harri Jonn.
Referee: Mark Petch.
Assistants: Harry Hendricks & Connor Thomas.
Fourth Official: Andy Harms.