Haverfordwest County staged a dramatic late comeback as goals in the 84th and 85th minute from Dan Hawkins and Ben Ahmun earned the Bluebirds a point from a 2-2 draw with Flint Town United.

County had trailed 2-0 inside the closing stages following Elliott Reeves’ first half goal and substitute Josh Jones’ second-half penalty, but Tony Pennock’s men once again displayed their fighting spirit to earn what could prove to be an important point in north Wales.

The Blues hadn’t particularly given much away from a defensive perspective – the home side registered just three shots on target all afternoon, half as many as the Town’s six – but it looked to be heading for a disappointing afternoon on the banks of the River Dee until the late salvo earned a deserved point.

The result was a repeat of the rescue mission produced against Connah’s Quay Nomads back in October, with the Bluebirds on that occasion netting in the 87th and 89th minute through Dylan Rees and Ahmun to come back from 3-1 down to claim a point.

The result sees Pennock’s men leapfrog Bala Town into eighth place with three games left to play in Phase One of the JD Cymru Premier, as we gear up for our Boxing Day meeting with Llanelli Town at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.

Team news

Pennock named an unchanged team following the 2-0 victory at Bala Town last time out, with the only alterations coming on the bench as Alaric Jones and Kyle McCarthy recovered from illness to return to the squad, while Owain Jones was also back in the squad having missed the win over the Lakesiders.

Haverfordwest County: L. Rees, Humphreys (O. Jones 46′), D. Rees (C, McCarthy 65′), Scotcher, Watts, Abbruzzese, Makwiramiti (Kenniford 46′), Walters (Watkins 82′), Shephard, Hawkins, Ahmun

Substitutes not used: Knott, A. Jones

First half

It was the hosts who had the first effort on goal with six minutes on the clock when a counter-attack by the Silkmen ended with Reeves slicing his effort from the edge of the area over the crossbar.

Fresh from netting his goal-of-the-season contender against Bala last time out, Corey Shephard had a chance to find the net again on the quarter of an hour mark when he collected Dylan Rees’ ball forward and advanced to 25 yards from goal before seeing his effort clear the crossbar.

There was very little in the way of attacking quality from both sides in a rather low-key first half, but 10 minutes before the break the hosts hit the front when Jake Canavan’s ball over the top was controlled by Reeves, who lifted his effort over Luc Rees to find the net.

The visitors could have drawn level five minutes before half time, but Rhys Abbruzzese’s free-kick from just outside the area was gathered by Dawid Szczepaniak.

The hosts were forced into making two changes before the end of the first period, with goalscorer Reeves and defender Isaac Lee sustatining injuries as they were replaced by Ben Wynne and Jones.

Second half

Pennock opted to turn to his bench during the half time break, with Kyle Kenniford and Owain Jones introduced in place of Panashe Makwiramiti and Iori Humphreys.

Owain Jones could have provided an assist just four minutes into the second half when he played a ball into the area intended for Shephard, but it was just out of reach of the in-form midfielder.

Shortly after, Luc Rees was called into action when Canavan tried his luck with a shot from just outside the area which was gathered by the Bluebirds stopper.

Five minutes later, Elliot Scotcher had an opportunity to level the contest when a headed clearance fell his way on the edge of the area, but his improvised volleyed effort flew just over the bar.

The Blues had come out for the second half with real purpose and intent as they started to sustain numerous attacks, and they very nearly had the chance to draw level when Dylan Rees’ ball into the area almost found Ahmun, with Silkmen captain Harry Owen making a vital intervention to prevent the striker from having an effort from point-blank range.

Just before the hour mark, Owain Jones tried his luck when a quick move saw him receive the ball and advance just inside the area before his right-footed poked effort dribbled just wide of the left post.

Having been on the attack for the vast majority of the opening 15 minutes of the second period, but they had some defending to do when Wynne broke into the area and threatened to get a dangerous shot away, but two perfectly-timed tackles from Ricky Watts cleared the danger.

Just a minute later, however, Lee Fowler’s side were awarded a penalty when Watts was adjudged to have brought Jake Phillips down inside the area. Jones’ spot-kick found the bottom right-hand corner to double the home side’s advantage heading into the final 30 minutes.

Having come on to replace Dylan Rees, McCarthy put a ball into the area which picked out Shephard, but his goalbound header was gathered by Szczepaniak.

With the last five minutes of normal time approaching, the situation was beginning to get desperate for the Bluebirds, however they gave themselves some hope when a neat passing move saw Hawkins freed inside the area, and the attacker’s effort took a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Then, just a minute later, the comeback was complete as Hawkins turned provider by chipping a ball into the area which picked out Ahmun, and the forward’s header beat Szczepaniak at his near post to spark scenes of wild celebration for the second time in as many months at the Essity Stadium.

Highlights

Reaction