By James Dow

Haverfordwest County began their 2025-26 JD Cymru Premier season with a 1-0 defeat to Penybont at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Friday evening.

In front of an impressive crowd of 841, the Bluebirds had their chances to take more from the game, particularly after the visitors had gone down to 10 men when James Crole was given his marching orders, but a second-half goal from Mael Davies was enough to decide the outcome of a competitive game.

County had the best opportunity of the first half when Ben Fawcett’s header from point-blank range was saved by Luke Armstrong.

Chances fell a lot more frequently in the second period, but the away side managed to take the advantage just before the hour mark when Davies reacted first to put the ball past Luc Rees from close range.

It proved to be a frustrating evening for the Bluebirds, who were unable to find the clinical touch required. An opportunity to bounce back presents itself next Saturday when we travel north to take on Flint Town United at Essity Stadium.

Team news

Tony Pennock made four changes from last week’s win against Newport City in the Nathaniel MG Cup, with Luc Rees replacing Ifan Knott to make his league debut for the Bluebirds, while Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts and Greg Walters came into the side for Luc Owen, Elliot Scotcher and Kyle McCarthy.

There were places on the bench for talented Development team players Will Hughes, Dylan McGuire, Hari Thomas and Sammie Vaughan-Harries.

Haverfordwest County: L. Rees, Humphreys (Owen 84′), Watts (O. Jones 64′), D. Rees (C), A. Jones, Abbruzzese, Shephard, Walters, Hawkins, Fawcett, Ahmun

Substitutes not used: Knott, Hughes, McGuire, Thomas, Vaughan-Harries

First half

The Bluebirds nearly made a perfect start to the match inside the opening minute when Fawcett got in behind the Penybont defence before an attempt at lobbing Armstrong just cleared the crossbar.

The game became stop start with a number of pausesin play, but the next chance fell to Ben Ahmun whose first-time effort following a Alaric Jones cross went just over the bar.

The first real chance for the away side fell 30 minutes in when Crole showed good feet to create space but was unable to keep his shot down.

The Bluebirds did find the net six minutes before the end of the half with Fawcett heading home from a corner, but the goal was disallowed following a push in the build-up.

The Town continued to look for openings right up until the end of the half, with Rhys Abbruzzese delivering a teasing ball to the far post which Iori Humphreys was inches away from getting a touch to direct his header on target.

Up the other end, Davies delivered ball to Nathan Wood whose header went high over the bar.

The Bluebirds had a golden chance with the last touch of the half after a lobbed ball from Corey Shephard was met by Fawcett, whose header from close range was denied by a fantastic save from Armstrong.

Second half

The first chance of the second half fell to the away side within the first minute, when Clayton Green’s deflected effort from distance flew wide for a corner.

The Bont were then reduced to ten men, with forward James Crole being dismissed by referee Bryn-Markham-Jones for his second yellow card of the match, after a coming together with Alaric Jones.

The Bluebirds began to push after the sending off, with Fawcett forcing Armstrong into another great save after the forward took the ball down well and tried to slot the ball under the goalkeeper, but Armstrong got down well to deny him once again.

The away side would take the lead minutes later, with Davies being the first to react after a set-piece was delivered into the Bluebirds box with the defender directing an effort from close-range past Rees.

The momentum swung to the away side even with 10 men, with Wood continuing to threaten the Bluebirds goal, forcing Rees into a save from distance.

Bont continued to threaten from set-pieces with defender Mark Little’s effort drifting wide of the post.

County began to dominate the ball as they searched for an equaliser, and some great defensive blocks from Gabe Kircough saw the defender deny a guaranteed effort on target from substitute Owain Jones.

Penybont were threatening on the break and nearly added a second with ten minutes to play after Green struck from distance for a second time but his effort was dragged narrowly wide of the post.

The Bluebirds had the best chance of the half to equalise five minutes from time after an Abbruzzese corner was met by Greg Walters, but his header came back off the crossbar.

Some good-link up play between Dan Hawkins and Jones saw the latter square the ball to Ahmun, but his effort was straight into the hands of Armstrong.

The final chance for the Bluebirds fell to Shephard, who attempted a spectacular bicycle kick which flew over the crossbar.

Highlights

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