By James Dow

A valiant effort from Haverfordwest County wasn’t quite enough as the Bluebirds were edged out 2-1 by high-flying Penybont at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Tuesday evening.

Second half goals from James Crole and Gabe Kircough ensured victory for the home side after Ben Fawcett had given the Bluebirds a deserved lead at half time.

The Town were left bitterly disappointed not to have taken anything from the match after arguably their best first-half display since returning to the JD Cymru Premier, during which we could easily have been two or three goals ahead were it not for some outstanding saves from Penybont and Cymru under-21 goalkeeper Luke Armstrong.

Penybont showed their quality in the second half to turn the game around and deliver a blow to the Bluebirds, who can still take plenty of positives into Friday night’s clash with Bala Town.

County made a bright start, enjoying plenty of early possession, with the first effort on goal falling to Dan Hawkins. The forward drove through the Penybont half and unleashed an audacious 35-yard strike that rose just over the bar.

Another great opportunity followed just minutes later, as a quick counter-attack saw Ben Ahmun break down the right and deliver a cross to Hawkins. The forward brought it down well, but his shot on the turn was comfortably gathered by Armstrong.

Tony Pennock’s side were rewarded for their bright start just before the 15 minute mark. A swift move saw Corey Shephard play in Ahmun, whose powerful strike was parried onto the right post by Armstrong, but Fawcett reacted quickest to slot home the rebound and break the deadlock.

The Bluebirds continued their impressive start, with Fawcett causing real problems for the Penybont defence with his runs in behind. Driving down the right, he played the ball across to strike partner Ahmun, who picked out Shephard at the back post, but the midfielder’s header lifted over the crossbar.

The chances kept coming for the Blues, this time through Hawkins who unleashed a superb curling effort from 25 yards that was heading for the top right-hand corner before Armstrong tipped it over the bar.

The hosts began to grow into the game after the half hour mark, with their first real chance falling to Nathan Wood who tried his luck from 20 yards but sliced his powerful effort wide of the post.

Penybont captain Kane Owen would play a crucial role in keeping the deficit to just one goal after Iori Humphreys won the ball high up the pitch and played Ahmun through on goal. Owen recovered well to make a timely challenge, denying the forward a close-range effort.

Another incredible effort forced a stunning save from Armstrong to deny Rhys Abbruzzese. After the Penybont defence cleared a corner, the ball fell to the left wing-back on the edge of the area, and he struck a superb first-time volley that was destined for the top right-hand corner. However, Armstrong, who was awarded man-of-the-match, reacted brilliantly to tip it onto the bar and over for another corner.

The Bluebirds began the second half just as brightly as the first, flying out of the blocks with a good chance falling to Shephard at the far post. An outside-of-the-boot cross picked him out well, but the midfielder couldn’t make a clean connection to trouble Armstrong.

County continued to press for a second, launching a quick break as Shephard once again won the ball in midfield before threading substitute Owain Jones through on goal. Under pressure from Mark Little, Jones could only produce a tame effort which Armstrong got down to save.

Penybont showed their first real bit of quality just before the hour mark, levelling the score through a well-taken goal. A long ball from Kircough was expertly brought down by former Cardiff City man Crole, who took a touch before firing a powerful strike past Ifan Knott to make it 1–1.

The Bluebirds almost produced an instant response when a hopeful ball from Abbruzzese caused confusion between Little and Armstrong. The goalkeeper fumbled under pressure, allowing Ahmun to attempt a lob from outside the area, but his effort drifted just wide of the left post.

After the goal, the hosts looked more threatening going forward, with some link-up play between Little, Mael Davies and Wood. The latter found space just outside the area to shoot, but his curling effort kept rising over the bar.

To the despair of the Town and their many travelling supporters, Penybont took the lead in the 72nd minute. A well-delivered set piece from Owen was whipped into the area and met by Kircough, whose looping header sailed over Knott and into the net.

In the closing stages, Knott was called into action to keep the deficit to a single goal. Another long ball from Penybont — a frequent tactic throughout the evening — was met by Crole, who advanced into the area before laying it off to Wood. The midfielder unleashed a powerful strike, but Knott reacted superbly to get down and make the save.

A fantastic late chance fell to young Will Hughes, who had the opportunity to grab his first senior goal. A defensive error allowed Shephard to deliver the ball into the area, and Hughes met it with a header, but it flew just inches over the bar.

Penybont: Armstrong, Davies, Little, Woodiwiss, Kircough, Owen (Jones 84′), Baker, Green, Venables, Wood, Crole

Substitutes not used: Best, Phillips, Warlow, Florence, Humphreys, Villacorta

Haverfordwest County: Knott, Humphreys (Hughes 84′), Watts, D. Rees (C), A. Jones, Abbruzzese, Walters, Shephard, Hawkins, Fawcett (O. Jones 46′), Ahmun

Substitutes not used: L. Rees, Makwiramiti, Owen, Shepherd, Watkins

(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)

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