Haverfordwest County AFC were unable to make the most of a positive first-half display as the Bluebirds suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Flint Town United at Essity Stadium on JD Cymru Premier MD7.

Ben Hughes’ goal shortly after the restart was enough to secure the spoils for the Silkmen, with the Bluebirds left to rue a slow start to the second half.

County had been in control for large parts of the first half after a frantic start from both teams, and in hindsight needed to make the most of their good play in this period.

The result means the Town drop three places to sixth for the time being, and we’ll be looking to bounce back during what is a busy next week as we travel to Penybont in the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday before visiting Park Avenue for a Friday night meeting with Aberystwyth Town.

Team news

Manager Tony Pennock made two changes to the team that lost 1-0 to The New Saints last Saturday, with Luke Tabone returning from international duty with Malta to take his place in defence, while Ben Fawcett replaced Owain Jones to lead the line with his namesake Ahmun.

Haverfordwest County: Z. Jones, Humphreys (H. John 46′), Jenkins, Tabone (Kenniford 86′), McCarthy, J. Owen, Shephard (C), Walters, Watts, Fawcett (O. Jones 75′), Ahmun

Substitutes not used: Knott, A. Jones, Picton, D. John

First half

The Bluebirds created an opening inside the first minute of the contest when captain Corey Shephard got a shot away from just outside the area which flew wide of the left post. The Silkmen had an effort on goal of their own a minute later when Florian Yonsian advanced into the area and tried a left-footed effort which cleared the cross bar.

Flint captain Harry Owen went close a couple of minutes later when he got his head to the ball from a second contact inside the area, with his effort going narrowly wide of the left post.

With seven minutes on the clock, Haverfordwest County created probably the best chance of the first half when a clever ball over the top from Ricky Watts played fellow midfielder Shephard in, and he lifted the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Jack Flint before seeing his effort cleared to safety by Izaack Lambert just before it crossed the goal line.

Six minutes later, Shephard had another opportunity when the Town were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal. However, his well-struck attempt was pushed away by the diving Flint to prevent it from finding the net.

Pennock’s men were continuing to create good moments in the final third, and the latest one saw Fawcett thread a precise through ball which freed Watts inside the area, however his dangerous ball across the face of goal wasn’t met by a Bluebirds teammate.

County appealed for a penalty shortly after the half-hour mark when Fawcett went down inside the area, however referee Rob Jenkins waved play on.

On the stroke of half time, Lee Jenkins broke into the Flint penalty area and unleashed a shot from a tight angle which was pushed away by Flint.

Second half

Harri John was introduced for the second half in place of Iori Humphreys, who had been struck in the face by the ball during the first half.

The Bluebirds had some momentum to take into the second period following a strong finish to the first half, however the game was turned on its head three minutes after the restart when the Silkmen regained possession high up the field and Bobby Beaumont advanced into the area before pulling the ball back to Ben Hughes, whose first-time effort from inside the area found the net to make it 1-0.

The Town were keen to find a way back into the contest as soon as possible, and not long after falling behind they created a decent opening when a quick counter-attack saw Ben Ahmun picked out inside the area, but the striker was under enough pressure to prevent his effort from being on target as he found the side netting.

Lee Fowler’s side had a good chance to double their lead on the hour mark when they created an opening for Elliott Reeves, but the forward’s effort from just inside the area was well saved low down by Zac Jones to keep the deficit at one.

Just a minute later, County came close to drawing level when Greg Walters’ powerful effort from just outside the area was saved by Flint, but the ball rebounded into the path of Fawcett who was unable to sort his feet out in time to direct it into an unguarded goal from a matter of yards out.

During what was a frantic period in the game the hosts had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 when Reeves won a 50-50 with Watts before breaking through one-on-one with Jones, but the Kiwi stopper did well to get a strong hand to the striker’s shot and deny him once more.

Owain Jones was introduced in place of Fawcett with just over a quarter of an hour remaining as the Bluebirds continued to chase an equaliser. The Town were having plenty of possession and were getting into some dangeorus positions, but the finishing touch was proving elusive.

County had to wait until the third minute of stoppage time to create another big moment, as Shephard tried to catch Flint out from distance with an effort which flew over the Silkmen goalkeeper before cannoning back off the bar, summing up a frustrating afternoon as the hosts held on to claim the three points.

Highlights

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