- Ahmun (43', 63')
- Abbruzzese (51')
- Jones (55')
- Walters (62')
- Walters (40')
Haverfordwest County AFC produced a scintillating second half display to run out 5-1 winners over Briton Ferry Llansawel in our final home game of Phase One at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
The Bluebirds fell behind when Tom Walters found the net five minutes before half time, but Ben Ahmun equalised just three minutes later to leave it all square at the break.
Then, in the space of 12 manic second half minutes, the Town ran riot to put the game well out of reach with Rhys Abbruzzese, Owain Jones, Greg Walters and Ahmun again all on target.
The result sees County move on to 39 points with one game remaining in Phase One; which is next Saturday’s trip to Jenner Park to take on Barry Town United at the earlier time of 12:45pm.
Team news
Manager Tony Pennock made five changes to the side that beat Aberystwyth Town 1-0 on New Year’s Day in our Ogi Bridge Meadow homecoming, with Luke Tabone, Ricky Watts, Walters, Ahmun and Owain Jones all coming into the side. Corey Shephard took the captain’s armband with Dylan Rees starting from the bench.
Haverfordwest County AFC: Z. Jones, J. Owen, Jenkins (Rees 76′), Tabone, McCarthy, Abbruzzese (Humphreys 65′), Shephard (C, H. John 70′), Watts (Kenniford 65′), Walters, O. Jones (D. John 70′), Ahmun
Substitutes not used: Knott, Hawkins
First half
There was a potential opening for the Bluebirds straight from the kick-off when Owain Jones raced onto a ball over the top and sent it across goal from the byline, but goalkeeper Will Fuller was able to gather to prevent any danger.
The visitors had their first effort on goal with four minutes on the clock when Walters capitalised on a loose pass and sent a first-time shot goalwards from just inside the area, which was gathered by Zac Jones.
After Tyler Brock had sent his shot from 25 yards over the crossbar, the Bluebirds came close to opening the scoring when Abbruzzese’s ball into the area was glanced goalwards by Watts, but the midfielder was denied by a sharp reaction save from Fuller who tipped it over the bar.
On the half hour mark, Ahmun did well to control Walters’ ball upfield before breaking free from the clutches of Nelson Sanca and sending a shot on goal from just inside the area, which was pushed away by Fuller.
Seven minutes before the interval, Ahmun was denied by Fuller for a second time when his header from a corner was pushed over the bar by the Reds goalkeeper, who was having an impressive first half at the clubhouse end.
Just two minutes later, the Town were punished when they gave possession away 30 yards from goal with the loose ball falling into the path of Walters, who took a touch before unleashing a swerving effort which wrong-footed Zac Jones to find the net.
County were only behind for a matter of three minutes, however, as Jacob Owen’s ball into the area was nodded into the path of Ahmun by Walters, and the striker made no mistake from close range to ensure a level game at the interval.
Second half
The Reds made two substitutions for the second period, with Caleb Demery and Jasper Payne replacing Ruben Davies and Ryan Bevan.
Haverfordwest County came out with real purpose after the restart, and they went close to hitting the front with two chances in quick succession. First, Kyle McCarthy’s ball across goal was cut out by Fuller with a couple of teammates waiting to pounce, and then a goalmouth scramble resulted in the ball being blocked on its path to goal.
Just two minutes later, Pennock’s men were rewarded for their bright start to the second half when Abbruzzese exchanged passes with Owen from a corner before sending a ball into the area which evaded everyone before nestling in the left-hand corner of the net for the wing-back’s third goal of the season.
This would prove to be the start of a crazy, match-defining 12 minutes from the Town, as Owain Jones marked his return to the side following the birth of baby Mali by netting his fifth goal of the campaign, as he combined with strike partner Ahmun to finish off a lovely team move by firing past Fuller at his near post from the left side of the area.
The Blues were creating opportunities at will at this stage, and they almost found a fourth goal when Ahmun’s cross into the area was headed onto the outside of the right post by Shephard.
County stretched their lead from two to three just three minutes later when a corner was headed into the path of Walters by Jenkins, and the midfielder – who had milliseconds to react – did very well to turn his head and direct the ball inside the left post to make it 4-1 with just over an hour on the clock.
The goal blitz was completed less than 60 seconds later when Haverfordwest County won the ball back inside their own half with Owen playing it upfield to Owain Jones who laid it off to Ahmun, with the striker knocking it past Luis Bates before evading the full-back’s sliding challenge and advancing into the area and showing great feet to go past Fuller and roll the ball into an empty net.
Both sides emptied their respective benches in the final half an hour or so with the result all but assured for the Bluebirds, who could enjoy the closing stages of just their second game on the new 3G surface at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.
There were to be no further opportunities of note as the Town enjoyed their biggest victory in terms of winning margin of the season, which ensures we have momentum heading into the end of Phase One before we enter the Championship Conference for the first time in our history.
Highlights
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