- Fawcett (10')
- Abbruzzese (71')
Haverfordwest County AFC returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Newtown at Montgomery Waters Latham Park on Boxing Day.
An early goal from Ben Fawcett and a second-half penalty from Rhys Abbruzzese secured a deserved three points for the Bluebirds in Powys.
The Town turned in another strong defensive display to earn their 11th clean sheet in 19 league games, with just nine goals having been conceded thus far.
The result was enough to lift County back up to third place in the JD Cymru Premier ahead of our long-awaited return to the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on New Year’s Day, when we take on Aberystwyth Town at 2:30pm.
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Team News
Manager Tony Pennock made three changes to his starting XI, with Alaric Jones, Kyle Kenniford and Dan Hawkins coming in for Luke Tabone (suspension), Ricky Watts and Ben Ahmun. On the bench, there was a welcome return for midfielder Greg Walters, with Fletcher Picton also coming into the squad.
Haverfordwest County AFC: Z. Jones, J. Owen, Jenkins, A. Jones, McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Rees (C), Shephard (Walters 77′), Kenniford (Watts 77′), Hawkins (Ahmun 71′), Fawcett
Substitutes not used: Knott, H. John, D. John, Picton
First half
The Bluebirds made a bright start to the game, and they were rewarded after just 10 minutes when Abbruzzese sent a looping ball into the area which was controlled well by Fawcett – who had done well to remain onside – before the striker kept his composure to take it around goalkeeper Samuel Ussher and roll it into an empty net to make it 1-0.
Eight minutes later, The New Saints loanee Josh Lock had a presentable opportunity to test Zac Jones from inside the area, but an important late intervention meant his shot took a deflection and went behind for a corner which came to nothing.
Not long after the half-hour mark, Abbruzzese sent a teasing free-kick into the area which was met by the head of Fawcett, whose effort went wide of the right post.
Zac Jones had to be alert shortly after when a heavy touch from Lock inadvertently played Oswell in, as the Kiwi stopper came off his line to close down the angle and make the save from the striker.
Second half
After a relatively low key start to the second half, the first opportunity of note came just after the hour mark when a free-kick into the Bluebirds area was headed wide of the left post by Jolyon Harries.
County had taken relative control of the contest at this stage, seeing more of the ball than they did in the first half, and some lovely interplay between numerous players created space for Dylan Rees to have an attempt on goal from distance which was gathered by Ussher.
With just under 20 minutes left on the clock, Haverfordwest County were awarded a penalty when a long ball upfield from Rees created a 50-50 between Dan Hawkins and Ussher which the Bluebirds forward just got to first before being fouled by the Robins goalkeeper, with referee Alex McInch pointing to the spot. With regular penalty taker Ben Ahmun just about to make his entrance as a substitute, Abbruzzese took the responsibility and made no mistake from 12 yards to double the visitors’ advantage.
Having earned the penalty, the scheduled substitution then took place as Hawkins made way for Ahmun, with Watts and Walters coming on in place of Kenniford and Shephard not long after.
The Town were in firm control of the contest at this stage, and Walters very nearly marked his return to action in style as his powerful effort from 25 yards was turned around the left post by the diving Ussher.
The home side came close to halving the deficit with six minutes of normal time remaining when a loose ball inside the Bluebirds area was struck against the right post by Oswell, who then appealed for a penalty in the 89th minute before being shown a yellow card for simulation.
This was to be the final moment of note as the Bluebirds saw the game out to claim a morale-boosting victory to ensure we head into our Ogi Bridge Meadow homecoming with momentum on New Year’s Day.
Highlights
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