- Cieślewicz (21')
Haverfordwest County AFC suffered their first defeat of the 2024-25 season yesterday, as reigning JD Cymru Premier champions The New Saints recorded a 1-0 victory at LHP Stadium in Carmarthen.
Adrian Cieślewicz’s first-half goal was enough to secure the win for the visitors, who recently became the first Welsh domestic club to clinch qualification to the league phase of a European competition.
The Bluebirds more than held their own against a Saints team who have not tasted defeat in the league since February 2023, and were in the contest right the way through, but they were ultimately unable to find the goal they needed to at least take a point.
Despite the defeat, County still find themselves in third place and in a good position to kick on for the remainder of Phase One, and they will be looking to bounce back next Saturday when they travel north to take on Flint Town United at Essity Stadium.
Team news
Manager Tony Pennock made one changee to the team that defeated Newtown 3-0 last Friday, with Alaric Jones coming into the starting XI in place of Luke Tabone, who was on international duty with Malta in the UEFA Nations League. Meanwhile, Fletcher Picton and Seth Woodhouse were added to the bench.
Haverfordwest County: Z. Jones, Humphreys, Jenkins, A. Jones (H. John 58′), McCarthy, J. Owen, Shephard (C), Walters (Kenniford 87′), Watts, O. Jones (Fawcett 58′), Ahmun
Substitutes not used: Knott, Woodhouse, D. John, Picton
First half
It was the visitors who had the first effort on goal when, after 10 minutes, the ball fell kindly to Cieślewicz inside the area and the Pole’s first-time effort dribbled wide of the right post.
The Town had a presentable opportunity to take the lead three minutes later when Ben Ahmun won the first contact on a high ball into the area and headed it into the path of strike partner Owain Jones, who was unable to keep his effort down as the ball sailed over the crossbar from close range.
The Oswestry side created a clear-cut opportunity of their own shortly after when a ball over the top played Sion Bradley through one-on-one, but the former Caernarfon Town man saw his chipped effort just clear the bar.
After Saints defender Jack Bodenham had seen his header from a corner go just wide, the visitors took the lead when Bradley broke free and played the ball to Cieślewicz, who cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed an effort from the left side of the area which went in off the right post to make it 1-0.
The Bluebirds didn’t go into their shell after going behind, and with the half-hour mark approaching they could have levelled the score when a loose ball fell to Lee Jenkins inside the area, but the defender’s goal-bound effort was blocked by the TNS defence.
Second half
Pennock’s men came out for the second half with real purpose, and three minutes after the restart they created a chance to equalise when Jacob Owen broke free of Dan Williams – who had decided to foul Ricky Watts instead of competing for the ball – and advanced into the area before seeing his dangerous squared pass turned behind for a corner by Roberts, with Jones waiting for a tap in.
A minute later, Jones broke free down the right side and tried to play a square pass to the unmarked Watts inside the area, but Danny Davies stretched out a leg to cut out the danger and prevent the midfielder from having a great chance of scoring.
Craig Harrison’s side came close to doubling their advantage when they earned a free-kick just outside the area, as Bradley stepped up and sent his effort crashing off the bar.
With the hour mark approaching, Harri John was introduced in place of Watts to make his 50th top-flight appearance for the club, a feat he achieved at the age of just 18 years, five months and three days.
Kyle McCarthy had to be in the right place at the right time to prevent the visitors from making it 2-0 when he cleared Cieślewicz’s close-range effort off the line to ensure the deficit remained at one.
After the Saints had made a triple substitution and altered their formation to try and maintain their advantage, there weren’t as many spaces for the Town to exploit and the Park Hall side were able to negotiate some late pressure from County to earn the victory and maintain their 100% start to the campaign.
Attendance: 388
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