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In the first game under the floodlights since their return to the revamped Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest County recorded a 1-0 victory over Cardiff Met on Friday (Feb 21) to consolidate third place in the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference.
The opening quarter of an hour saw little in offensive play as both sides looked to establish superiority in the middle of the park, home stalwart Ricky Watts a fulcrum for the Bluebirds as he enjoyed space to link with Dan Hawkins, Watts, under pressure from the Archers Jack Veale, placing his right foot effort wide after 17 minutes in the games first clear cut opportunity.
The visitors grew into the game, through Sam Jones, Eliot Evans and captain CJ Craven, home stopper Zak Jones a protracted spectator until he confidently clasped a speculative cross from Evans half way through the opening period.
A scouring run from deep by wing back Rhys Abbruzzese forced a corner from which Lee Jenkins header was claimed by the commanding figure of visiting custodian, Kelland Absalom. On the half hour a central free kick on the edge of the ‘D’ from Met midfielder Jack Veale sailed high and wide which epitomised a game which was insipid until a fracas of handbags in front of the home dugout saw the game liven as Haverfordwest pressed forward, as Corey Shephard stamped his class on proceedings with an array of passing, Jenkins finding space in the penalty box but his effort missed the target.
Referee Ryan Kenny took his yellow card out of the pocket for the first time as Met full back Joel Edwards trailed through on Dan Hawkins with his foot raised, Rhys Abbruzzese driving the free kick into the danger area, Jenkins header not troubling Kelland, who acted as a sweeper to clear Shepards through ball away from the on rushing Owain Jones, before saving from Iori Humphreys run and shot with five minutes remaining, Kelland distributing the ball quickly and Jones shot was blocked for a corner, Cravens header at the far post just missing the target, in the last the last action of in all reality, an insipid first half.
Ben Fawcett, who scored in the 1-1 draw last time out at Caernarfon Town for the Bluebirds, came on for Hawkins to start the second half, Thomas Vincent collecting an early yellow card for a thumping challenge on the half way line, Abbruzzese certainly feeling the impact for a time after.
Jones tried to raise the maroon and gold shirted visitor’s tempo but it was the home side who dictated territory and possession, Ryan Reynolds at the heart of the Met defence alongside Gruffydd Morgan absorbing the offensive play with aplomb, Chubb making a fine defensive tackle on Jones on the hour, the resultant corner saw Luke Tabone’s header saved by Kelland in front of a crowd of 1127.
Shepard again licked started his side forward with a raking ball to Jones wo pulled back for Abbruzzese, whose cross shot drifted away from the far post.
Jac Clay entered the fray for Evans for the final quarter of the game, and a minute later Fawcett opened the scoring as he drove at the heart of a back tracking defence and powered in a right foot shot from ten yards leaving Kelland grasping, Jacob Owen replacing Iori Humphreys before play restarted. Fawcett nearly doubled the lead with an audacious chip from thirty yards, Barnaby Soady replacing Lewis Rees and Morgan carded for a foul tackle in a frantic, five minute period, veteran Watts replaced by Kyle Kenniford with fifteen minutes remaining, the Bluebirds playing some crisp and adventurous one touch football which was matched by the drummer behind the goal.
A double substitution as the game drifted into the final ten minutes to play by Archers by manager Ryan Jenkins saw Reynalds replaced by Dan Barton and Jones place taken by Charlie Wright, Vincent having a header saved by Jones with five minutes to play, the Mets only real second half opportunity.
Shephard found himself in the referee’s notebook for a subtle pull back on the advancing Wright as five minutes of injury time was shown, Tony Pennock making a change as Jones was replaced by Daniel John, the substitute outstripping the Met defence who were saved by Kelland, as Johns shot brought the crowd to life for the final time.
Haverfordwest County
Zac Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees ©️, Lee Jenkins, Ricky Watts (Kyle Kenniford, 75), Corey Shephard, Dan Hawkins (Ben Fawcett, 46), Kyle McCarthy, Owain Jones (Daniel John, 90) Iori Humphreys (Jacob Owen 67), Luke Tabone.
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Harri John, Luc Owen.
Cardiff Met University
Kelland Absalom, Mathew Chubb, Joel Edwards, Jack Veale, Ryan Reynolds (Daniel Barton, 81), Eliot Evans (Jac Clay 65), Lewis Rees (Barnaby Soady 70), Sam Jones (Charlie Wright, 81), Gruffud Morgan, CJ Craven ©️, Tomas Vincent
Unused substitutes:
Blazej Krezolek, Joshua Stephens, Oliver Good.
Officials
Referee: Ryan Kenny (Abertawe)
Assistants: Johnathan Bebee-Bryant & Ethan Goatley
Fourth Official: David Morgan
Match Photos from Ethan Ellis
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
