Bluebirds slay Dragons to easily stay top of Play Off Conference

 

JD Cymru Premier – Play Off Conference

 
 

Haverfordwest County 2 – Pontypridd United 0

 
Haverfordwest County have put themselves into pole position to win the Play Off Conference after they grabbed a goal in each half against Pontypridd United on a beautiful Good Friday afternoon in front of a bumper crowd at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.
 
Tony Pennock’s Bluebirds had already lost twice and drawn once against the Dragons this season, but both side’s came into this clash in good form, so something had to give.
 
Deadly striker Jordan Davies gave the hosts the lead, despite the Dragons going close to equalising on a number of occasions, a defensive mistake enabled Daniel Hawkins to add his side’s second to secure the precious points.
 
The Bluebirds started brightly as Jordan Davies’ precision far post ball was met by Henry Jones’ first time shot which was blocked, and from the resulting corner Lee Jenkins put his close range diving header over the crossbar.
 
Minutes later Jarrad Wright missed a defensive header which allowed Davies to strike a goal-bound shot which flew straight to keeper George Ratcliffe.
 

Jordan opens the scoring

 
In the 28^th minute the Bluebirds broke the deadlock, Daniel Hawkins picked the ball up from deep, the striker’s perfectly weighted diagonal pass fell to Davies who slid home from the edge of the 18 yard box for his twelfth goal of the campaign.
 
After the break the Dragons pressed in search to level matters, and they came close from a corner when substitute Corey Jenkins was foiled at point blank range by keeper Zac Jones. Minutes later a quickly-taken throw-in was picked up by Corey Green, and the Dragons’ skipper curled a dangerous shot from 35 yards which Jones tipped over the bar.



 

Hawkins bags second goal

 
In the 63^rd minute Pennock’s men grabbed a well-worked second, as Dylan Rees passed to Corey Shepherd who in turn found Henry Jones before the key midfielder slipped a pass down the right to Jordan Davies. The goal scorer made good ground before he drilled a low cross into the box, where a Dragons' defender got his feet tangled,which allowed Hawkins to pounce with the clinical scoring touch from close range.
 
Five minutes from full time Ben Williams-Margetson headed over the bar which summed up the Dragons’ afternoon as the Bluebirds were delighted to pick up their fourth win in five games, plus they kept another clean sheet.

Haverfordwest boss Tony Pennock was understandably pleased with the result, especially with several key players like Elliott Scotcher, Ben Fawcett, Jazz Richards and Ricky Watts out either injured, ill or suspended - but with Kyle Patten again holding the back line well tegether and keeper Zac Jones having another good game.
 
 
Haverfordwest County Academy U12s were the matchday mascots, after earlier this week  impressively winning the Swansea City Sixes, so no doubt there are some young stars in the making.
 
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees (Captain), Kyle Patten, Oscar Borg, Corey Shephard, Henry Jones (64’ Jamie Veale), Jordan Davies (92’ Elliott Dugan), Lee Jenkins, Jack Wilson, Daniel Hawkins (71’ Jack Leahy).
Substitutes not used: Lee Idzi, Ioan Evans, Iori Humphreys, Harri John.
 
Pontypridd United: George Ratcliffe, Luke Cummings (85’ Harrison Bright), Danny Williams, Ben Ahmun, Joe Evans (71’ , Jack Karadogan), Jarrad Wright, Owain Jones (75’ Corey Jenkins), Clayton Green (Captain), Ben Williams-Margetson, Thomas Davies.
Substitutes not used: James Bloom, Lee Baldock.
 
Referee: Huw Jones.
Assistants: Ian Bird & Ashley Davis.
Fourth Official: Alex McInch.
Referee: Observer: Dean John.