JD Cymru Premier – Phase 1
The New Saints 3 - Haverfordwest County 1
As expected, champions The New Saints gained a thoroughly deserved victory against an industrious Haverfordwest County outfit at Park Hall Stadium.
The hosts led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals scored by Ben Clark and Ryan Brobbel, after the break Ben Fawcett pulled one back for the visitors, but virtually on full time Declan McManus added his side’s third to put the game safe.
Tony Pennock’s men can walk away with their heads held high as they came up against a fully professional outfit, it’s fair to say they didn’t make life easy for the champions.
Territory and possession belonged to the hosts, but the visitors kept their shape and closed down and pressed well as a team.
Quick fire goals
Two quick fire first half goals put the hosts in charge, Daniel Redmond neatly set-up Clark who buried the opener, the second was also assisted by Redmond as Ryan Brobbel clinically finished past keeper Zac Jones.
In the 33rd minute danger man Brobbel struck the post with a vicious 20-yard strike, just before the break Leo Smith saw his effort from outside the box just narrowly miss the target.
Bluebirds’ keeper Zac Jones pulled off a remarkable diving save to deny skipper Jonathan Routledge, minutes later Brobbel missed a chance from point blank range.
Fawcett pulls one back
In the 62nd minute the visitors pulled one back as Jack Wilson’s cross was forced into the net by a determined Fawcett.
Ryan Astles picked up a yellow card as he took out Jordan Davies as it looked as if the Bluebirds man would have been clean through with a one-on-one with Connor Roberts.
However, in the 89th minute Routledge teed-up substitute McManus to secure the points.
Shortly after the final whistle Haverfordwest County chairman Rob Edwards tweeted: “So proud of the effort today. Without the ball a lot of the time against an excellent side, but worked so hard, and still looked to create at the other end. Not many teams put the ball in their net. Can take a lot of positives from this.”
The New Saints: Connor Roberts, Ryan Astles, Jonathan Routledge (Captain), Joshua Daniels, Ryan Brobbel, Daniel Redmond, Daniel Williams, Ben Clark (58’ Declan McManus), Leo Smith (83’ Ashley Baker), Daniel Davies, Adam Wilson (58’ Adrian Cieslewicz).
Substitutes not used: Luke Simpson, Blaine Hudson, Gwion Dafydd, Reece Warder.
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Jazz Richards (87’ Elliott Dugan), Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees (Captain), Kyle Patten, Henry Jones (57’ Ioan Evans), Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale, Lee Jenkins, Ben Fawcett, Jack Wilson (83’ Ryan George).
Substitutes not used: Lee Idzi, Lucas Davies, Iori Humphreys, Harri John.
Referee: Owen Thomas.
Assistants: Harry Hendricks & Matthew Johnson.
Fourth Official: Nicholas Pratt.