By James Dow

Alaric Jones’ 93rd-minute goal saw Haverfordwest County claim a dramatic last-gasp victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Renewable Centre Stadium, the Bluebirds’ first win of the new JD Cymru Premier season.

The defender’s close-range header sparked scenes of jubilation from the sizeable travelling Bluebirds support, who had beaten the Bank Holiday traffic to cheer the team on in big numbers.

In a match played in difficult conditions, clear-cut chances were few and far between during the first half, with the biggest talking point being whether or not the hosts could have been reduced to 10 men after a reckless challenge from Tom Walters on Rhys Abbruzzese.

The early stages of the second half mirrored the first, with both sides lacking quality in the final third. As the game progressed, however, the pitch opened up and chances began to emerge for both teams.

After an end-to-end conclusion to the game, County found an unlikely hero in Jones when he met Dan Hawkins’ corner to send a looping header over Will Fuller and ensure the three points came back to Pembrokeshire.

The hosts carved out the first chance after on 10 minute mark when a long ball from Luis Bates found the feet of Walters, who released a strong effort into the side netting at a tight angle.

The Bluebirds’ first opportunity came five mins later when a deep ball into the box from Abbruzzese was met by Owain Jones, but the forward’s header was straight at Fuller.

Ferry looked dangerous from set-pieces, with Connor Smith winning the first ball and finding Snaith from a free-kick, but a crucial block from Abbruzzese denied what looked a certain effort on goal.

The Town went long several times early on as they adapted to a playing surface not condusive to their trademark passing game, and they nearly profited when Corey Shephard found Ben Fawcett, who battled with Bates before getting a shot away, only for the defender to make the block.

The hosts’ first shot on target of the match came from Corey Hurford, whose low free-kick from 20 yards out fell straight into the hands of the watchful Luc Rees.

An early second-half chance fell to Ferry when the in-form Ruben Davies fired a low effort on goal, but Rees got down quickly to make a fine save and hold the ball.

Clear chances remained scarce for both sides, with the only real opportunity falling to home side through Davies, who tried an audacious 30-yard volley that flew well over the bar.

A golden opportunity fell to Ricky Lee-Owen on the hour mark after a deep ball was delivered into the Bluebirds box, but his headed effort flashed over the bar.

County’s first effort on goal after the restart came from Shephard after a long ball from Alaric Jones saw the ball fall to the feet of the midfielder, who twisted and turned to make some space and released an effort from just outside of the box which was straight at Fuller.

More chances fell late on with the heat playing its part and making the contest more open. Davies was played through on goal but the striker placed his effort from close range over the bar in what was a let off for the Bluebirds.

Late drama saw Davies break away only to be halted by brilliant defending from Shephard, who won the ball back and released Ben Ahmun. The forward went close to snatching the lead, but another fine defensive block diverted the ball out for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Hawkins swung a ball to the back post where Jones produced a superb diving header to secure the Bluebirds’ first three points of the season in dramatic fashion.

Briton Ferry Llansawel: Will Fuller, Luis Bates, Kian Jenkins, Tom Price, Thomas Walters, Sam Snaith (Ellis Sage 56’), Corey Hurford (Kris Evans 90+1’), Ricky-Lee Owen, Ruben Davies, Ryan George, Connor Smith

Substitutes not used: Rhys Wilson, Rio Dyer, Jonathan Evans, Ollie Anderson, Dylan Packer

Haverfordwest County: Luc Rees, Iori Humphreys (Ricky Watts 62′), Greg Walters, Alaric Jones, Kyle McCarthy, Rhys Abbruzzese, Panashe Makwiramiti, Corey Shephard, Dan Hawkins, Ben Fawcett, Owain Jones (Ben Ahmun 62′)

Substitutes not used: Ifan Knott, Luc Owen, Tom Shepherd, Will Hughes, Dylan McGuire

Highlights