By James Dow
Haverfordwest County AFC extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches after a goalless draw against Caernarfon Town at LHP Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Bluebirds dominated large spells of the match, but were unable to convert the final ball with Ben Ahmun and his strike partner Ben Fawcett both going close.
County were largely untroubled in defence until a late opportunity for the visitors which was cleared off the line by Lee Jenkins, as the Town kept a ninth clean in 14 league outings to date.
The result means the Bluebirds maintain second place in the table, ahead of next Saturday’s meeting with Flint Town United at LHP Stadium.
Team news
Tony Pennock made three changes from last week’s JD Welsh Cup victory over Trethomas Bluebirds, with Zac Jones replacing penalty shoot-out hero Ifan Knott in goal, while Lee Jenkins also returned to the side after being rested with Corey Shephard came into the XI after starting from the bench last week. Maltese international Luke Tabone made his 50th appearance for the Town as he started in the heart of the defence alongside Jenkins and Kyle McCarthy.
Haverfordwest County AFC: Z. Jones, J. Owen, Jenkins, Tabone, McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Rees (C), Shephard, Walters, Fawcett (Hawkins 67′), Ahmun (O. Jones 67′)
Substitutes not used: Knott, H. John, A. Jones, D. John, Humphreys
First half
The Bluebirds started well, passing the ball around with intent, and Rhys Abbruzzese had two chances within seconds of each other as his free-kick from around 20 yards hit the Caernarfon wall, with the ball rebounding back to the defender who could not keep his second effort down as it flew over the crossbar.
Canaries goalkeeper Stephen McMullan was called into action just before the 20 minute mark when Ahmun laid the ball off to Shephard just outside of the box, with the midfielder’s first-time effort taking a slight deflection on its path to goal, allowing the Northern Irishman to comfortably gather the ball.
Caenarfon had their first chance at goal ten minutes later when Zack Clarke received the ball on the half turn and released a powerful effort which rose over the bar.
Minutes later, the Bluebirds had a great opportunity to take the lead when McCarthy played a pinpoint ball over the top for Ahmun, who beat the offside trap and was through on goal, but the forward’s right-footed effort rolled agonisingly wide of the right post.
County continued to push for the opener with Luke Tabone having a chance to score on his landmark appearance when a well worked set-piece routine saw the ball crossed in to the central defender, but he was unable to divert his header on target.
Second half
The Bluebirds nearly made the perfect start to the second half when McCarthy played Ahmun down the left before the striker delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal for his strike partner Fawcett, who was just unable to get the vital touch to direct it past McMullan.
While County were dominating the possession, the Canaries were well disciplined defensively, clearing their lines when balls were delivered from the wide areas.
Half chances fell to the Bluebirds, with substitute Owain Jones and Greg Walters both having shots from distance blocked on their path to goal by the Cofis defence.
The defensive resilience almost paid off for the away side when, with just a couple of minutes remaining, Caernarfon built an attack of their own after Louis Llyod flicked the ball on to substitute Adam Davies, who took the ball around Zac Jones, but Jenkins was in the perfect position to clear the ball off the line and ensure a share of the spoils come the final whistle.
Highlights
Reaction
