A 99th-minute goal from Corey Shephard earned Haverfordwest County a dramatic late point in Llandudno, as the Bluebirds battled back from two goals down to claim a deserved draw with high-flying Caernarfon Town at the Go Goodwins Stadium.

The Blues were the better side in the first half, and on another day could easily have found themselves at least two goals to the good at the break. Ben Ahmun and Kyle Kenniford – who made his first start of the season after returning from injury – had the best opportunities, as Tony Pennock’s men showed their quality against the high-flying Canaries.

It looked as if County would be made to pay for not taking advantage of their positive play as goals from Adam Davies and Sion Bradley within two minutes of each other gave the home side a 2-0 lead with the hour mark approaching, but the Town hit back shortly after through Owain Jones’ close-range finish.

Having applied relentless pressure in the closing stages, Haverfordwest County eventually got the reward their effort deserved when Shephard’s left-footed strike from the edge of the area found the top left-hand corner to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Team news

Pennock made four changes to the side following the defeat to Barry Town United in the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday, with Luc Rees, Ricky Watts, Kenniford and Owain Jones coming into the XI. Midfielder Greg Walters missed out through suspension

Haverfordwest County: L. Rees, Watts, D. Rees (C), A. Jones (Humphreys 73′), McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Makwiramiti, Kenniford (Hawkins 65′), Shephard, O. Jones, Ahmun

Substitutes not used: Knott, Shepherd, Owen, Watkins

First half

After Luc Rees had made a smart save to deny Bradley after six minutes, the Bluebirds created their first chance of the game when Kenniford created space for a shot just outside the area, with Connor Roberts getting quickly to make the save.

Shephard was played into the area just a few minutes later, with the midfielder seeing his curling effort drift just wide of the post.

County were enjoying a strong spell of pressure as they continued to win back possession on numerous occasions in midfield, with Ahmun the next to go close as he cut inside onto his right foot inside the area and saw his effort saved by Roberts.

The striker came close again eight minutes later when Alaric Jones’ over-the-top ball finding the forward, who controlled it well before firing agonisingly wide of the right post.

Second half

The Canaries created an opportunity to take the lead two minutes after the restart when Bradley was played through, with the winger looking to take the ball around Luc Rees, but the Bluebirds goalkeeper stood tall to make the initial save before the danger was cleared.

With the game still goalless as the hour mark approached, Richard Davies’ side hit the front when a ball into the area from the left picked out Davies, with the tall striker directing his headed effort into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Less than two minutes later, the Bluebirds found themselves two goals behind as Bradley collected the ball on the left touchline before working his way inside the area before cutting onto his right foot and sending his shot into the far corner of the net.

As they always do, Pennock’s men continued to battle, and they managed to halve the deficit five minutes later. After Shephard had escaped the clutches of Phil Mooney, the midfielder played a ball across the area which found Ahmun unmarked, with the striker’s effort hitting Roberts and landing in the path of the arriving Owain Jones who found the net from close range.

With the game still very much alive, a crucial moment inside the final 20 minutes saw Kyle McCarthy – who was starting for the first time in the league since making his return from injury – produce a vital block to deny Davies, who had received the ball unmarked just a matter of yards from goal.

The Bluebirds continued their quest for an equaliser inside the final 10 minutes, with captain Dylan Rees striking just wide from just outside the area.

Pennock’s men had produced another highly competitive all-round display against a very strong top-flight side, with their efforts deserving at least a point, and with the final whistle approaching they earned that point in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Substitute Dan Hawkins’ ball into the area from the left side was cleared by Hari Roberts, but only into the path of the arriving Shephard who took a touch before sending his left-footed effort arrowing into the top left-hand corner, giving Roberts no chance as the impressive midfielder and his teammates celebrated what could prove to be a very valuable point on their travels.

Haverfordwest County are back in action next Saturday, 15 November when we host Colwyn Bay at 2:30pm. The club will be hosting a Junior Fun Day, which gets underway from 12pm. There will be a bouncy castle, as well as face painting, a marquee in the car park, a 360 camera booth, prizes and giveaways, alpacas in attendance, half-time cheerleaders, an inflatable football pitch and more! Once inside the ground, all activities will be FREE!

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