Battling Haverfordwest County were beaten 3-2 by reigning champions and runaway JD Cymru Premier leaders The New Saints at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Saturday afternoon.

A brace from Jordan Williams after namesake Dan had opened the scoring were enough to secure the spoils for the Oswestry side.

A well-worked goal from the impressive Corey Shephard with the hour mark approaching gave the Bluebirds some hope, but it was ultimately in vain as the Saints ran out winnners in Pembrokeshire.

The Town will now quickly turn their attentions to our Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-final against Barry Town United at the Ogi Bridge Meadow this coming Tuesday, 4 November, with a place in the last four at stake.

Team news

Manager Tony Pennock made two changes to the side that drew 3-3 away at Connah’s Quay Nomads last Saturday, with Luc Owen and Owain Jones coming in for Ricky Watts and Ben Ahmun.

Haverfordwest County: L. Rees, D. Rees (C), Scotcher (Humphreys 48′), A. Jones, Abbruzzese, Owen (Shepherd 62′), Makwiramiti (Kenniford 62′), Shephard, Walters, Hawkins, O. Jones (Ahmun 62′)

Substitutes not used: Knott, McGuire, Watkins

First half

It was the visitors who created the first opening with four minutes on the clock when Danny Davies’ ball across goal from the byline evaded everyone and eventually went out for a throw-in.

The Bluebirds had a penalty shout when Dan Hawkins went down inside the area under the challenge of Dan Williams, but the referee waved play on.

After Hawkins had come up with an important clearance inside the opposite box, the Oswestry side took the lead when a loose ball from a corner found its way to the unmarked Dan Williams, with the midfielder’s left-footed effort creeping into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

On the half hour mark, Luc Rees was called into action when Davies broke forward and advanced to the edge of the area before unleashing an effort which was saved low down by the Bluebirds stopper.

However, just moments later the Saints doubled their advantage when a through ball played Jordan Williams in, and he slotted it past Rees from inside the area.

The Blues were forced into their first change of the afternoon two minutes later when Elliot Scotcher had to be replaced by Iori Humphreys.

Luc Rees was having an impressive first half between the posts for County, and he made another good save to deny Dan Williams from close range after the midfielder had broken into the area.

Seven minutes before the break, Pennock’s men created a good opening when Hawkins wriggled free of Dan Williams and advanced to the byline, but his ball across the face of goal was cut out by Shepperd.

Second half

The Bluebirds would have been keen to make a strong start to the second half, however it was the visitors who found the net three minutes after the restart when Jordan Williams glanced a header from a cross into the area into the left hand side of the net.

With the hour mark approaching, the Bluebirds kept their hopes alive when Shephard’s run forward ended with Owain Jones glancing a header over the top of the defence which played the midfielder in, and he beat Nathan Shepperd at his near post to make it 3-1.

Ryan Brobbel had two chances within the space of three minutes to add to the visitors’ goal tally. His first free-kick from just outside the area cleared the crossbar, before another set-piece effort from a bit further away was tipped around the post by Luc Rees.

Pennock turned to his bench just after the hour mark as he made a triple change, with Tom Shepherd, Kyle Kenniford and Ben Ahmun being introduced.

County did well to battle away and stay in the contest against a confident TNS side who had won their last 13 matches in all competitions, with a host of impressive performances across the pitch.

Luc Rees had to be alert to deny Brobbel’s header at the back post from a cross into the area, as County continued to fight as the game entered the closing stages.

With the game still alive, substitute Ahmun set up a grandstand finish when his close-range finish made it 3-2 in the final minute of normal time.

Shortly after, a loose ball inside the area landed at the feet of Dylan Rees, but he couldn’t quite get enough purchase on his shot on the turn and Shepperd was able to gather as the visitors saw out the remaining minutes.

Attendance: 463