Haverfordwest County AFC produced a dominant display to get back to winning ways with a commanding 3-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue on Friday evening.

Second-half goals from Ricky Watts and Ben Ahmun, along with an own goal from Louis Bradford, ensured a comfortable success in Ceredigion for County.

The Town were on top for the duration of the contest, and as well as looking good in attack, we were also solid at the back as we kept a fifth clean sheet in the league so far this season.

The result sees the Bluebirds move up three places to third in the standings, joint on points with second place Cardiff Metropolitan, as our focus now turns to Tuesday’s meeting with Barry Town United at LHP Stadium.

Team news

Manager Tony Pennock made six changes to the team from Tuesday’s Nathaniel MG Cup tie with Penybont, as Zac Jones, Lee Jenkins, Kyle McCarthy, Ricky Watts and Corey Shephard all came back into the side. Dylan Rees was named in a JD Cymru Premier matchday squad for the first time since the 2022-23 European play-off final victory over Newtown in April 2023.

Haverfordwest County: Z. Jones, J. Owen (Rees 77′), Jenkins, Tabone, A. Jones (Humphreys 60′), McCarthy, Shephard (C), Kenniford (H. John 60′), Watts, O. Jones (Fawcett 60′), Ahmun (D. John 70′)

Substitutes not used: Knott, Picton

First half

It was the Town who had the first opportunity of the game when a corner from Shephard found its way through to Watts, but the midfielder couldn’t readjust in time to direct it goalwards.

A minute later, Owain Jones did well to stop the ball from going behind for a goal kick and hooked it back into the six yard box where Lee Jenkins was waiting, however the defender’s header was gathered by Dave Jones.

The Bluebirds were on the front foot in the opening 10 minutes, and the latest opportunity fell the way of Kyle McCarthy as the defender was picked out in space before advancing towards the edge of the area before unleashing a shot which was saved by Jones.

It took until the 21st minute for the Seasiders to create their first effort on goal, however it proved to be a costly one as Jonathan Evans’ effort from the left side of area was saved by Jones, with the forward appearing to have pulled his hamstring in the process as he was forced to leave the field immediately after.

Three minutes after this, County came agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Owen’s corner was met by the head of Luke Tabone, who saw his effort come back off the crossbar. Less than a minute later, Watts saw his first-time effort from inside the area fly wide of the right post.

With half time approaching, the Town put a good attacking move together which ended with Shephard seeing his shot from just outside the area take a deflection on its path to goal, allowing Jones to gather comfortably.

In the final minute of added time, another well-worked move saw Haverfordwest County break into the Aber area, however the home defence recovered just in time to poke the ball away from the clutches of Ahmun, who was waiting to turn it into an empty net.

Second half

With the first moment of note after the restart, the Bluebirds took the lead as a precise through ball from Kyle Kenniford – who was making his first league start for the Bluebirds – played fellow midfielder Watts in, and he controlled well before shooting past Jones to make it 1-0 and give the Town the perfect start to the second half.

Just six minutes later, it was 2-0 when a pinpoint cross into the area from Alaric Jones found Ahmun unmarked, and the striker did what he does best by directing it past Jones and into the net to cap an excellent period for the visitors.

Pennock made a triple change on the hour mark, as Iori Humphreys, Harri John and Ben Fawcett came on for Alaric Jones, Kenniford and Owain Jones.

In what was their only chance of the second period, Christoph Aziamale was freed inside the area and unleashed an effort on goal which Zac Jones was equal to.

A minute later, Fawcett broke free inside the area and attempted an effort from a tight angle which found the side netting.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, the result was put beyond any doubt when Fawcett’s cross into the area from the left side was misjudged by Bradford, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net past the despairing Jones to make it 3-0.

Having made his return to competitive action in the Nathaniel MG Cup in midweek, Dylan Rees marked his top-flight comeback with less than a quarter of an hour remaining when he was introduced in place of Jacob Owen.

Shephard had an opportunity to add extra gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages when the Seasiders gave possession away and the midfielder broke through on goal, however his right-footed effort rolled narrowly wide of the right post.

The final effort on goal of the contest came in the fifth and final minute of time added on, when Shephard’s free-kick from 30 yards was pushed behind for a corner by Jones.

Highlights

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