The Matchday 3 encounter at the Bridge Meadow Stadium saw Haverfordwest County and Cardiff Met on Friday (Aug 22) draw 2-2 in an entertaining encounter, which despite giving the Bluebirds their first point of the season, will again leave manager Tony Pennock frustrated after his side dominated the opening half to lead 2-0 at half time.

The opening goal came on ten minutes courtesy of the Bluebirds frontman, Ben Ahumn slotting home from the edge of the six yard box into an empty net, some controlled transitional play freeing Dan Hawkins on the left wing and he arrowed across inside defender Gruffudd Morgan to the unmarked Ahumn.

The striker also had an opportunity three minutes after fellow frontman Ben Fawcett played a thoroughbred ball into his path, defender Barnaby Soedy making a last ditch tackle tp prevent his strike on goal.

Ahumn turned provider on twenty minutes, where he linked again with Fawcett, showing his composure to look around and play an inch perfect ball into the advancing central midfielder, Corey Shephard who drilled his right foot shot beyond the outstretched hand of former Bluebird keeper Kelland Absalom.

The home side were dominant in possession and territory, Fawcett and Ahumn fulcrums for waves of attacks, Shephard inches away from making it 3-0 with a crisp drive from the edge of the box before Fawcett forcefully won the ball and drilled it a smidgen wide of the far left hand upright.

The only attempt the visitors had of scoring a goal game from strike from the halfway line by Lewis Rees, who won the ball off Kyle McCarthy and struck it first time, goalkeeper Luc Rees shadowing the line of the to see it drift harmlessly wide, referee Ieuan Hawkins blowing for halftime a minute later.

Within thirty seconds of the restart, Corey Craven reduced the deficit when he caught the home side unawares and Jasper Payne drifted in unmarked to leave Rees grasping at thin air, the game completely turned on its head as Ryan Reynolds followed a similar script a minute later, to level the game, former Bluebird youth academy product Harri John then coming off the bench for the visitors to replace Mathew Chubb.

Fawcett did his best to bring his side back to life, Shephard pushing him free down the right, the diminutive striker cutting inside at pace and Ahumn saw his strike blocked, the ensuring corner confidently claimed by Absalom.

The game remained open for the following 20 minutes, neither side able to put their stamp on proceedings, Ricky Watts, Rhys Abbruzzese, Kyle McCarthy and skipper Dylan Rees in tune with the need to be strong, Payne and CJ Craven unable to face the goal and shots which were fired in didn’t trouble Rees.
Fawcett had a half chance as the game entered its final quarter, making space from another sublime Shephard pass, only to find the side netting from an angled shot before Jonah Williams replacing Sam Jones for the Met.

McCarthy was replaced by Alaric Jones in the heart of defence and Iori Humphries came into the midfield for the industrious Owain Jones, Ahumn striking wide with fifteen minutes remaining. The Met were confident to play the ball from side to side, Walters and Shephard workhorses, which was appreciated by the majority of the 551 spectators, the later again driving into the penalty to draw a corner, substitutes Jones climbing high but he goal bound header cleared by goal scorer Morgan.

The final four minutes of additional time saw home captain Rees and Morgan dismissed for violent conduct, a decision which underlined the control Lewis had displayed all evening, the shrill whistle to end proceedings one which will leave Pennock with more questions than answers as the season progresses ahead of next weekends home encounter with Caernarfon Town.

Haverfordwest County

Rees L; Rees D ©️; Abbruzzese; Watts; Shephard; Fawcett; Hawkins; McCarthy (Jones; 75); Walters; Humphreys (Jones; 75); Ahmun.

Substitutes not used
Knott ; Makwiramtiti; Owen; Hughes; McGuire.

Cardiff Met

Absalom; Chubb (John; 47); Walsh; Reynolds; Rees (Evans; 85); Jones (Williams; 73); Morgan; Craven ©️; Payne; Mwandwe; Soady.

Substitutes not used
Seager; Edwards; Kabongo; Lonergan;

Match Officials:

Referee: Ieuan Lewis
Assistant Referees: Lewis Edwards & James Shiels
4th Official: Jordan Harman

Match Photos from Ethan Ellis

Photo Gallery (click to view in full)