By James Dow

Haverfordwest County AFC came out on top 2-1 in a rain-soaked encounter with Briton Ferry Llansawel at Old Road on Tuesday evening, as the Bluebirds extended their unbeaten run to six matches.

A goal in each half from Owain Jones and Lee Jenkins helped the Town earn victory on what was their first top-flight visit to Old Road since the 1993-94 season, with the result closing the gap to leaders Penybont to five points.

Jones gave County the lead after 11 minutes, before Kian Jenkins equalised for the hosts to ensure a 1-1 scoreline at the half-time interval.

The Bluebirds were undoubtedly the stronger side in the second half, with Jenkins’ header restoring their lead before the Town went on to have numerous opportunities to extend their advantage.

Ferry were forced to play out the closing stages with 10 men, after captain Alex Gammond was shown a second yellow card, and the Blues were able to negotiate their way to the final whistle to clinch victory and maintain second place in the JD Cymru Premier standings.

Team news

Manager Tony Pennock made three changes to the side from the goalless draw with Connah’s Quay Nomads on Saturday, with Luke Tabone – who made his competitive debut for Malta in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday – coming straight into the starting XI for captain Dylan Rees, who was rested, while Ricky Watts and Owain Jones replaced Ben Ahmun and Rhys Abbruzzese, with the latter also given the night off following his first start of the season on Saturday.

Haverfordwest County: Z. Jones, J. Owen, Jenkins, Tabone, A. Jones (Humphreys 28′), McCarthy, Shephard (C), Walters (Kenniford 80′), Watts, Fawcett (Hawkins 80′), O. Jones (Ahmun 61′)

Substitutes not used: Knott, H. John, D. John

First half

The weather took a turn for the worse just before kick-off, and with both teams getting used to the poor conditions the first chance fell to captain for the night, Corey Shephard, whose well-struck first-time volley from just outside the area pushed away by Will Fuller, who got across to make the save at his left post to deny the midfielder.

The Bluebirds showed their ability to quickly turn defence into attack to take the lead after 11 minutes when Zac Jones’ long kick upfield was headed into the path of Ben Fawcett by Jenkins, and the forward found his strike partner with a precise pass before Jones’ first-time effort went between the legs of Fuller and into the net to make it 1-0.

Pennock was forced into making an early change just before the half-hour mark with Alaric Jones unable to continue, as Iori Humphreys came on in his place.

Briton Ferry Llansawel responded well to conceding, and they levelled the contest 14 minutes before half time as a scramble inside the area ended with the ball finding its way to Jenkins just outside the area, and his acrobatic effort went through a wall of bodies before sneaking inside the right post.

The Ferry could have gone ahead shortly after drawing level when Tom Walters capitalised on a defensive error from the Bluebirds before playing in strike partner Luke Bowen, who drilled a ball across the face of goal which just evaded a couple of teammates who were waiting to convert from close range.

Jones had two presentable opportunities to double his tally for the night during first half added time. The first came when he won the ball back from Gammond inside the area and took it around Fuller before seeing his goalbound effort at the near-post blocked on the line. Then, just a minute later, a quick free-kick from Kyle McCarthy played Fawcett down the left wing, and his low ball into the area just evaded his fellow forward.

Second half

The Bluebirds had to contend with some early pressure from the restart, but they were able to withstand this and regained the lead 12 minutes into the second period when Jenkins rose highest to power his header from Jacob Owen’s corner past Fuller and into the net.

County took confidence from this and were soon looking to add a third when a quick break ended with Ricky Watts releasing a shot from just outside of the box which was held by Fuller.

The Ferry goalkeeper was tested twice more a minute later when Shephard used the conditions to his advantage by releasing an adventurous effort from distance which was fumbled by Fuller, with the ball falling to substitute Ahmun who attempted to lob the ball over the goalkeeper, but Fuller was able to direct the ball away from goal.

The Bluebirds thought they had scored a third when Greg Walters appeared to head home from a corner, however after a discussion between referee Ben Williams and his linesman, the decision was made to award a corner and the score remained 2-1.

Minutes later, Briton Ferry were reduced to 10 men after captain Gammond was given his second yellow card of the match for pulling back Ahmun and preventing him from breaking through on goal. The resulting free-kick, which was taken by Shephard, was heading for the top left-hand croenr but for a diving save from the outstretched Fuller, who was able to tip the ball over the bar.

The Bluebirds were able to control the final stages of the game to pick up their seventh win of the season and collect another important three points to keep the unbeaten run going, as attention now turns to Saturday’s JD Welsh Cup second round tie with Trethomas Bluebirds at LHP Stadium (Kick-off: 14:00)

Highlights

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