Haverfordwest County produced an emphatic 1-0 success over bottom of the table Aberystwyth Town on Wednesday (Jan 1) as they returned to their redeveloped Bridge Meadow stadium for the first time since April 13th, in doing so ensuring their place in the Championship Conference for phase 2 of the Cymru Premier.
Wearing their 125th Anniversary kit to coincide with their return to their spiritual home the Bluebirds made early inroads, Rhys Abbruzzese and Jacob Owen running hard from wide, with Owen and fellow midfielder Corey Shephard close to the target with shots from outside the area, visiting goalkeeper Dave Jones making an outstanding save from Kyle McCarthy and then again on 15 minutes from a powerful Ben Fawcett header.
Tony Pennock’s side dominated the possession and territory without creating further penetrating efforts until the 35 minute when Aberystwyth midfielder John Owen picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul on a marauding Abbruzzese, Shepherds free kick from 20 yards hit the bar and Dan Hawkins was on hand to head the ball into the empty net.
The visitors found it hard to establish themselves in front of the 1486 spectators, Shephard and Abbruzzese constant arrows thrust towards the seasiders goal, relief found through the half time whistle of referee Ben Williams.
Hawkins had a chance immediately after the restart, his header not powerful enough to beat Jones, Fawcett having a ferocious drive deflected for a corner close to the hour mark, Abbruzzese lucky not to collect a caution for a late tackle which fired the games tempo.
Midfield maestro Shephard enjoyed the freedom of the pitch, his number 8 anniversary shirt covering all areas, his passing crisp and accurate combining well with his skipper Dylan Rees. A double substitution with 20 minutes saw Ben Ahumn replace Owen and Harri John come on for goal scorer Hawkins, a minute later John Evans was replaced by Gwydion Dafi’s for Aberystwyth.
A second substitute came from Antonio Corbesrio as Thomas Mason replaced the injured Frankie Ealing for Aberystwyth, with 10 minutes to play, after man of the match Shephard had a shot inches wide of the post. Greg Walters replaced Rees with 7 minutes to play, and made an immediate impact in the midfield with his ball winning tackles and runs into the 18 yard box.
The Seasiders created a half chance when Davies shot was cleared for a corner as the clock drifted towards 90 minutes and Flint came close a with the header from the set piece, referee Williams waving down a penalty call on Flint in injury time, the final action seeing Louis Bradford cautioned for a foul on Walters.
The 1-0 result leaves Aberystwyth anchored to the foot of the table, Haverfordwest securing their Championship Play off place for the second phase, where they currently occupy third place and have kicked off the new era at the Bridge Meadow which will taste like honey to all those with blue blood.
Haverfordwest County
Jones Z, Abbruzzese, Rees (C) (Walters 83), Jenkins, Shephard, Fawcett, Hawkins (John, 70), Jones A, McCarthy, Kenniford (Ahumn, 70), Owen J. Unused substitutes: Knott, John D, Watts, Tabone.
Aberystwyth Town
Jones, Bradford, Ealing (Mason, 80), Thorn (C), Evans (Dafis, 71), Flint, Owen, Hartley, Davies, Huxley, Patterson. Unused substitutes Osment, Davies.
Referee Ben Williams
Assistant Referees Ian Bird & James Shiels
4th Official Ryan Kenny
Match photos by Ethan Ellis (EE Films)
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
