JD Cymru Premier – Phase 1
Haverfordwest County 3 – Aberystwyth Town 1
Ben Fawcett grabbed a superb late goal to ensure Haverfordwest County beat Aberystwyth Town in a hard-fought tussle to give manager Tony Pennock an early Christmas present under lights at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday evening.
With the game finely poised at 2-1 in favour of Tony Pennock’s team, it was a case of the next team who could score, it would certainly have a bearing on the final outcome.
With 24 minutes on the clock the Bluebirds raced into a 2-0 lead, as the lively Jordan Davies opened the scoring and Lee Jenkins also headed home the second against his former teammates. Centre back Louis Bradfield pulled one back as it stayed 2-1 to the hosts at the interval.
Both teams created chances in the second period as Aber just about held the edge, but in the 88th minute Fawcett settled the outcome as the striker scored from close range to secure the points.
The Bluebirds had lost their two previous league matches so they were delighted to return to winning ways against the Seasiders who they had earlier lost to against at Park Avenue.
Bright start for Bluebirds
The hosts opened the scoring in the tenth minute when Ricky Watts won an aerial battle before the ball fell to the dangerous Jack Wilson on the left, whose low drive across the box fell perfectly for Jordan Davies to make no mistake at the far post.
In the 24th minute the Bluebirds doubled the lead as Wilson’s long throw-in was met by Jenkins’ instinctive back header which crashed into the back of the net.
Jordan Davies was unlucky not to add a third as his 25-yard pile-driver crashed against Michael Webb’s woodwork with the keeper stranded.
But in the 36th minute the hosts lost the services of Kyle Patten, who picked up an injury, and he was replaced by teenager Iori Humphreys.
Bradford pulls one back for Seasiders
The Bluebirds lost a little of their midfield shape and from a corner the Seasiders pulled one back through centre back Bradford, who stuck out a leg to find the back of Lee Idzi’s net from a speculative low drive into the box by Niall Flint .
After the break, the visitors looked the more ominous to pull one back as Idzi was called into action to deal with efforts from Sam Phillips and Steffan Davies as Aber enjoyed a territorial advanatage
Midway through the second period Idzi pulled off an important double save to deny the Seasiders from levelling matters and The Bluebirds gradually broke the pressure exerted on them, with Davies and Fawcett threatening a static Aber defence with their pace..
Fawcett hits target
On the stroke of full time Fawcett struck from inside the six-yard box as the industrious front man buried Jordan Davies’ by-line cross from the right, after a terrific run, to complete the scoring.
On Boxing Day Haverfordwest County travel to Pontypridd who are currently sitting second from bottom in the table.
After the game manager Tony Pennock he was pleased with the final result because he knew how hard Aber are to break down with their ability to grind out a result.
"I've seen them four times this season and this win is great after our 2-1 defeat there - but we still need to retain pressure and not just make deep clearances that are immediately run back against us.
"The work ethic was good and even when we had to make key changes our subs played well, especially Iori Humphreys as he came on out of position as a left-sided central defender and battled hard alongside Ricky Watts and Lee Jenkins.
"Now we have to build on that positive result against Pontypridd because although they are second bottom there are no easy games at this top level and we want to maintain that match-winning form."
Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Kyle Patten (36’ Iori Humphreys), Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard (Captain) (83’ Elliott Dugan), Ben Fawcett, Henry Jones (65’ Harri John), Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale, Lee Jenkins, Jack Wilson (83’ Ryan George), Ioan Evans.
Substitutes not used: Lucas Davies, Zac Jones, Ivan Watkins.
Aberystwyth Town: Michael Webb, Louis Bradford, Sam Litchfield, Jack Thorn (Captain), David Evans, Iwan Lewis, Niall Flint, Sam Phillips (75’ Alexander Darlington), Steffan Davies, Harri Horwood, Harry Arnison.
Substitutes not used: Leigh Jenkins, Jamie Jones, Charley Edge.
Referee: Robert Jenkins.
Assistants: Daniel Beckett & CilanThomas.
Fourth Official: Mark Whitby.
