By James Dow

Haverfordwest County AFC booked their place in the last 16 of the JD Welsh Cup with a thrilling 10-9 penalty shoot-out win at Ammanford, after the tie had finished 1-1 in normal time.

Goalkeeper Ifan Knott kept his cool to score the winning penalty, having earlier saved Adam Orme’s spot-kick to level the shoot-out after Ben Ahmun’s penalty had been saved by Luke Martin.

The Bluebirds were on top for the majority of the contest in tricky conditions at The Recreation Ground, and opened the scoring in the first half through Ricky Watts. Owain Jones and Watts had chances to add to the scoreline before the interval.

Ammanford improved in the second half, and equalised through Euros Griffiths with just 10 minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish.

The shoot-out was a high quality one, with plenty of decisive spot-kicks from both sides, however Knott proved to be the Bluebirds’ hero as we defeated the Boars at the third round stage of the competition for the second time in as many seasons.

Team news

Tony Pennock made seven changes to the side that was narrowly defeated 2-1 by The New Saints last Sunday, with Luke Tabone missing while on international duty with Malta, and captain Dylan Rees suspended after his red card in the previous round against Trethomas Bluebirds.

Knott made his second start of the season between the sticks, while Iori Humphreys started in defence. There were starts in midfield for youngsters Harri John and Kyle Kenniford, while the experienced Watts and Owain Jones were also in from the off. Dan Hawkins partnered Jones up top, with talented Academy player, Luc Owen, featuring on the bench alongside brother Jacob.

Haverfordwest County AFC: Knott, Watts, Humphreys, Jenkins, A. Jones, McCarthy, Shephard (C), H. John (Ahmun 68’), Kenniford (J. Owen 85’), Hawkins, O. Jones (Fawcett 61’)

Substitutes not used: Z. Jones, L. Owen

First half

The Bluebirds started on the front foot and created the first chance of the game, with Owain Jones’ left-footed effort drifting narrowly wide of the left post from just outside the area.

Jones created another chance minutes later as he chased down a high ball, but his effort again flew wide of the post.

County kept pushing for the first goal, with Harri John putting a deep ball into the box which was met by Alaric Jones, but his header was straight at Martin.

The Bluebirds were able to make their strong start to the match count when Watts opened the scoring just before the half hour mark. After a scramble inside the Ammanford area, the ball fell to the midfielder and his first-time left-footed effort passed numerous bodies to find the net.

Watts looked to add his second of the match not long after with an audacious effort from 35 yards out, which was not too far away from nestling into the top left-hand corner of the net.

The hosts had their first real chance of the game towards the end of the first half through former Hakin United man Adam John, with his effort from just outside of the box rolling just wide of the left post.

Second half

Ammanford came out of the blocks quickly looking to grab an equalising goal, and the first chance of the second half fell to captain Morgan Clarke who drove infield and released a powerful effort which flew high over the bar.

The Bluebirds had a fantastic chance to double their lead minutes later when a neat one-two saw Kyle Kenniford play in Owain Jones, but his effort rose over the bar.

There were then chances at both ends of the pitch, with the Bluebirds defence making a crucial clearance on the line to deny the hosts an equaliser, and minutes later Callum Jones rose highest from a corner but was unable to keep his header on target.

At the other end of the field, County nearly doubled their advantage when Hawkins chipped a ball into the area which was directed goalwards by Owain Jones, but Martin reacted quickly to tip it over the bar.

Pennock’s men continued to push for a second, with Iori Humphreys driving forward but seeing his low effort from the right side of the area gathered Martin. Soon after, substitute Ahmun came close when he directed Alaric Jones’ pinpoint cross over the bar.

Substitute Ben Fawcett was inches away from scoring his fourth goal in three games when he beat Martin to a bouncing ball and was able to lob it over the goalkeeper, but some fantastic defending from Nick Arnold saw the defender sprint back and clear the ball off the line.

Ammanford were able to equalise ten minutes before time through Griffiths, who prodded a loose ball home from a corner to ensure a thrilling finale in front of a crowd of over 400.

Lewis Reed could have won the game for the hosts in added time when he was played through, but a fantastic save from Knott at his near post kept the game level.

After Reed, Alaric Jones, Adam Morgan, Hawkins and Jonathan Invernizzi had converted their spot-kicks, Ben Ahmun became the first player to be denied as Martin made the save.

However, from the very next penalty, Knott guessed the right way to deny Adam Orme and give Fawcett the chance to draw the Town level, which he duly did.

John, Corey Shephard, Luke Sylvester, Jacob Owen, Callum Thomas, Watts, Griffiths, Kyle McCarthy, Arnold, Humphreys, Callum Jones and Lee Jenkins were all subsequently on target as a dramatic shoot-out advanced to the goalkeepers. The crucial moment came when Martin sent his effort flying over the bar, with Knott showing real character to step up and slot the ball into the bottom left corner to secure County’s passage into the last 16.