JD Cymru Premier – Phase 1
Haverfordwest County 1 - Pontypridd United 1
Ioan Evans equalised in stoppage time due to a handling blunder by keeper Ash Morris which salvaged a drab draw for Haverfordwest County against a spirited Pontypridd United display on a bleak wet afternoon at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Both goals were scored in the second period, also both goals had to go down as the keepers’ errors as the wet slippery conditions played its part.
Second from bottom Dragons were on the verge of picking up back-to-back victories against seventh placed Bluebirds, until Evans’ stoppage time equaliser.
The Bluebirds made a number of changes from the team that narrowly lost 3-2 on Boxing Day at Pontypridd United.
Jazz Richards made a welcome return alongside skipper Dylan Rees and Elliot Scotcher plus Zac Jones replaced Lee Idzi between the sticks.
After a goalless first period, where there wasn’t many chances created at both ends, however that changed three minutes after the break.
Dragons strike
Bluebirds’ keeper Zac Jones spilled an awkward by-line cross which the Dragons’ skipper Clayton Green (last week’s winning goal hero) pounced on from inside the six-yard box to give his team the edge.
That goal visibly rocked Tony Pennock’s Bluebirds who were stunned as they struggled to break down a very determined Dragons' resistance.
Neither side could dominate as they cancelled each other out, plus the slippery conditions didn’t make life easy to control possession.
Evans’ stoppage time equaliser
Just as it looked as if the visitors were hanging on for the three points, the hosts were awarded a free kick outside the box which Evans struck on target, it looked as if it was a routine gather for Morris, but the ball slipped out of his grasp to find the back of the net.
It was a cruel blow for the Dragons, but the Bluebirds’ camp must have felt relieved at the final whistle as they gained a point when all looked lost.
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Jazz Richards, Rhys Abbruzzese, Elliot Scotcher, Dylan Rees (Captain), Ben Fawcett, Jordan Davies, Lee Jenkins, Jack Wilson (57’ Ryan George), Ioan Evans, Harri John (81’ Henry Jones).
Substitutes not used: Lee Idzi, Lucas Davies, Iori Humphreys, Ivan Watkins, Elliott Dugan.
Pontypridd United: Ash Morris, David Vincent, Jordan Knott, Danny Williams, Ben Ahun, Kieran Lewis, Joe Evans, Joe Hunt, Corey Jenkins (55’ Lewys Twamley), Eliot Richards (67’ James Saddler), Clayton Green (Captain).
Substitutes not used: Morgan Davies, James Bloom, Aaron Hillier.
Referee: Iwan Griffith.
Assistants: Ian Bird & Johnathon Bebee-Bryant.
Fourth Official: Tom Bevan.