JD Cymru Premier – Play Off Conference
Haverfordwest County 1 – Aberystwyth Town 1
Haverfordwest County gained a precious draw with Aberystwyth Town which has ensured they have won the Phase Two Play Off Conference in the final home game at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
This clash was televised live on Sgorio on Saturday evening, Sam Litchfield gave the visitors a slender lead just before the break, the Bluebirds equalised through a well worked move which substitute Jack Leahy finished exquisitely, in the 73rd minute a moment of madness saw defender Kyle Patten sent off as the hosts played the remainder with ten men.
Impressively Tony Pennock’s team are now unbeaten in six games, they have just one more game to play which is at away Airbus UK Broughton next week.
Ioan Evans featured in the midfield as the only change from the team that beat Pontypridd United last week plus Ricky Watts returned from suspension on the bench.
Ioan Evans took an early shot which flew past the post, minutes later Jack Wilson struck a fierce shot from outside the box which fizzed wide.
Mark Cadwallader picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon with an elbow which caught skipper Dylan Rees.
Zac Jones tipped a looping header over the crossbar before Oscar Borg’s pinpoint cross was met by a firm Jordan Davies header which narrowly missed the target.
On the half hour mark, former Bluebird keeper Matthew Turner pulled off a decent save to deny Wilson’s glanced header.
Litchfield scores for Seasiders
On the stroke of half time the visitors took the lead, a long throw in the box by skipper Jack Thorn caused mayhem which allowed Litchfield to swivel and strike a low shot into the back of the net, this gave the Seasiders a narrow advantage at half time.
The Bluebirds made two changes at the break, Jack Leahy and Harri John replaced Jordan Davies and Dylan Rees, respectively.
The visitors were unlucky not to add to their tally six minutes after the interval when a swift counter attack led to Niall Flint who thundered a wicked strike against Jones’ crossbar.
Brilliant equaliser
In the 54th minute the Bluebirds levelled with a superb move; John laid it to Dan Hawkins who played a clever flicked ball into the box which Leahy brilliantly read and lifted it over the advancing Turner for a superb finish.
In the 65th minute Pennock made his third change as Henry Jones replaced Ioan Evans in midfield, Louis Bradfield’s point-blank header flew straight to Jones as this clash ebbed and flowed. Minutes later Borg defended brilliantly as he guided a header over the bar for a corner from a dangerous cross.
Patten sees red
In the 73rd minute Patten received a straight red card as he kicked out at Harry Arnison, it was a moment of madness but luckily the Bluebirds held firm for the remainder to secure the crucial point.
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees (Captain) (45’ Harri John), Kyle Patten, Corey Shephard (76’ Ricky Watts), Jordan Davies (45’ Jack Leahy), Lee Jenkins, Jack Wilson, Ioan Evans (65’ Henry Jones ), Oscar Borg, Daniel Hawkins.
Substitutes not used: Lee Idzi, Iori Humphreys, Elliott Dugan.
Aberystwyth Town: Matthew Turner, Louis Bradford, Sam Litchfield, Jack Thorn (Captain), Iwan Lewis, Niall Flint, Mark Cadwallader, Harry Arnison, Liam Walsh, Alexander Darlington, Billy Kirkman.
Substitutes not used: Thomas Owen, John Owen, Cameron Allen.
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones.
Assistants: Jordan Christopher & Johnathon Bebee-Bryant.
Fourth Official: Jordan Harman.
Referee Observer: Craig Greenstock.
