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The penultimate home game at the Bridge Meadow stadium saw North Walian visitors Caernarfon Town attacking the Town end, prior to kick off Swansea based referee Ryan Kenny signalling a minute’s silence for former stalwart and popular Bluebird’s supporter Brian Thomas who attended matches alongside his nephew Colin.
As rain swept across the 4G surface, the crowd of 462 saw no goal mouth action for the opening half an hour, where despite dominating possession and territory Haverfordwest were unable to keep control of the ball for long periods. The half chances created by Dan Hawkins and Rhys Abbruzzese came only from outside the penalty area, which didn’t trouble custodian Ben Hughes. Corey Shepherd was the first to warm the hands of Hughes from twenty yards, the game scoreless after the opening 45 and additional 2 minutes signalled by Ben Williams, during which Caernarfon bench saw Kenny draw a yellow card for Mark Orme.
Matchday mascots from Llangwm Lions Junior Football Club U10s and U7s, with coaches Bradley Flood, Lewis Hubbard, Mike Corden and Steve Rodrigues, alongside Club Chairman Richard Nash entertained the crowd at half time whilst the Haverfordwest Boys Academy and Girls Development sides had a bucket collection ahead of their forthcoming trip to play at English Football League side, Norwich City.
Matchday 30 of the Cymru Premier season saw Haverfordwest play better and more precise football in the second period, the midfield dominated by Shepherd, Jacob Owen Greg Walters and the industrious Kyle Kenniford who had added impact with his well timed and forceful tackles, much to the delight of birthday celebrating Alan Thomas, a long standing steward who occupied the Bluebirds Suite with his friends.
On 52 minutes Haverfordwest Ben Ahumn beat Hughes with a header which was cleared off the line, Shepherds power drive deflected for a corner which resulted in Ahumn then powering in the opening goal from 8 yards.
The lead lasted three minutes with Caernarfon awarded a clear cut penalty at the Prendergast end of the ground, winger Louis Lloyd stepping up to equalise with a well drilled strike beyond New Zealand born home goalkeeper Zak Jones.
Skipper Dylan Rees and his centre half partner Lee Jenkins dominated their 18 yard line to keep a toothless Caernarfon offensive approach at bay, Abbruzzese given space to dominate the left side from full back as Owen did on the opposite flank.
A series of corners orchestrated through Shepherds innovation saw Ahumn fire over the bar on the hour, Darren Thomas and Daniel Gossett replacing Jake Cavanan and Sam Downey for the white shirted visitors, Lloyd and Adam Davies combing to create an opportunity for the striker which Jones gathered with ease as the game entered its final quarter.
Manager Tony Pennock thrust veteran Ricky Watts and fellow midfielder Owain Jones into the action on 70 minutes for Hawkins and Kenniford, Joe Faux then replaced by Matty Hill two minutes later.
A yellow card went the way of Canaries captain Ryan Sears for a subtle delaying of Shephard as he made ground over the half way line on 75 minutes, Shephard booked for dissent with ten minutes to play.
With ever increasing amounts of precipitation falling the Bluebirds controlled the final stages of the game, man of the match Rees a leader by voice and action, his defensive play setting up Waters and Abbruzzese to take their side forward.
Owen picked up a yellow card as the game on 85 minutes for a foul on Hill as he got close the danger area, Lloyd curling his free kick beyond the far past as Jones had it covered, home grown diamonds Watts and Walters combine, the latter’s shot saved by the outstretched hand of Hughes.
The last throes of action saw Lloyd curl his corner to the far post where Jones again stood tall for Haverfordwest as the game entered four minutes of added on time, before ending 1-1, Haverfordwest remain third in the league with two games remaining, a position which would see them hold home advantage in the European Play Off stages of the season.
Haverfordwest County
Zak Jones; Rhys Abbruzzese; Dylan Rees ©️; Lee Jenkins; Corey Shepherd; Dan Hawkins (70; Owain Jones); Kyle McCarthy; Greg Walters; Kyle Kenniford (Ricky Watts); Jacob Owen; Ben Ahmun
Unused Substitutes
Ifan Knott; Harri John; Daniel John; Iori Humphreys; Luc Owen
Caernarfon Town
Ben Hughes; Morgan Owen; Matty Jones; Phillip Monney; Adam Davies; Louis Lloyd; Sam Downey (63; Daniel Gossett); Paulo Mendes; Joe Faux (72; Matty Hill); Jake Canavan (63; Darren Thomas); Ryan Sears ©️
Unused Substitutes
Harri Thomas; Gruff John; Blaine Hudson; Osian Ellis
Referee: Ryan Kenny
Assistant Referees: Ian Bird & Christopher Jordan
4th Official: Ben Williams
Match photos from Ethan Ellis (EE Films)
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
