By James Dow

Haverfordwest County AFC were held to a 1-1 draw by Caernarfon Town in their penultimate home game of the JD Cymru Premier regular season at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Saturday.

Forward Ben Ahmun gave the Bluebirds the lead early in the second half with his 11th league goal of the season, before Louis Lloyd levelled proceedings from the penalty spot just two minutes later.

The first half saw limited clear-cut chances for both sides, with Corey Shephard and Rhys Abruzzese going close for the Bluebirds, and Zac Jones needing to be alert to save striker Adam Davies’ effort on the half-hour mark.

The second half was a different game altogether, with several chances falling to both teams in a back and forth affair, however a third goal of the afternoon proved elusive as the sides settled for a point apiece.

The result means Tony Pennock’s side can ensure a third place finish with a point from their final two matches of the season, before the European play-offs commence.

Team news

Pennock made two changes from last week’s defeat to Penybont, with Lee Jenkins returning from suspension to replace the injured Luke Tabone, and Dan Hawkins coming into the side in place of Owain Jones.

Haverfordwest County AFC: Z. Jones, J. Owen, Jenkins, Rees (C), McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Shephard, Walters, Kenniford (Watts 70′), Hawkins (O. Jones 70′), Ahmun

Substitutes not used: Knott, H. John, D. John, Humphreys, L. Owen

First half

The first effort of the contest fell the way of the Bluebirds with two minutes on the clock when Hawkins’ effort from the edge of the area came off the head of a Canaries defender and went behind for a corner which came to nothing.

There were efforts from both sides early on, with Jake Canavan receiving the ball from the second phase of a corner and seeing his right-footed effort drift wide of Jones’ post.

Rhys Abbruzzese was dangerous down the left-flank, delivering a teasing ball into the six yard area which just evaded Ahmun at the far post.

Abruzzese threatened again, having two chances in a matter of seconds. First, his right-footed effort was blocked, but the ball returned to his path to allow him to try a snapshot which flew over the crossbar.

The Canaries looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with forward Davies forcing Jones into his first save of the match when he got down low to deny the striker from close range.

The Bluebirds continued to push for the opening goal, with Shephard next to test Ben Hughes from distance, but the young goalkeeper was able to gather the ball.

The last chance of the half fell to Shephard in added time, with the midfielder sending his free-kick from 20 yards out high over the bar, after Greg Walters was taken down just outside of the area.

Second half

The Town started the second half on the front foot, nearly going ahead within minutes as Ahmun had a header cleared off the line by Ryan Sears, before a powerful shot from Shephard was well saved by Hughes.

County did manage to find the back of the net a minute later when Jacob Owen’s corner found Ahmun at the front post, and he rose highest to direct his powerful header past Hughes to open the scoring.

However, the game was level again less than two minutes later when Lloyd went down inside the area, giving him the chance to convert from the penalty spot which he duly did.

The Bluebirds reacted well to the setback of conceding, nearly adding their second on the hour mark when Ahmun laid the ball off to the onrushing Shephard, but his powerful effort was well defended and deflected behind for a corner.

The resulting corner created an opportunity for Ahmun to add his second, but his half-volley attempt rose over the bar.

A fantastic passage of play from the Town saw them nearly retake the lead five minutes before full time when a quick link-up between substitute Owain Jones and fellow striker Ahmun saw the latter play in Walters, who struck the ball low towards the left-hand corner, with Hughes reacting in time to get across and deny the midfielder as the game finished all square.

Highlights

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