By James Dow

Haverfordwest County AFC fell to a disappointing 4–0 defeat against Barry Town United at Jenner Park on Friday evening.

Three of the Linnets’ goals came from set pieces, with Keston Davies and Ben Margetson finding the net from corners and Ollie Hulbert scoring from the penalty spot, with a fine finish from Ieuan Owen sandwiched in between.

The Bluebirds struggled to get any attacking momentum going, with one shot on target falling to Tony Pennock’s side in the final ten minutes through Rhys Abbruzzese.

The result means County are still looking for their first away win since August, ahead of back-to-back visits to Bala Town and Flint Town United in the next two weeks.

Just before the 10 minute mark, the hosts fashioned their first real chance. Owen Cuddihy’s low cross across the face of goal was touched by goalkeeper Luc Rees, but Ollie Hulbert couldn’t quite get the final touch.

Barry found the net just minutes later as Davies met an in-swinging corner from Robbie Willmott to head home and open the scoring.

The home side added a second just 15 minutes later from another set-piece. Callum Sainty met a corner with a flicked header to the back post where Margetson was waiting to claim his second goal in as many games against the Bluebirds.

The Blues continued to struggle with Barry’s set pieces as another corner saw Will Richards’ powerful header saved by a sharp reaction stop from Rees, and a second ball into the box was met by Sainty, but his header flashed just wide of the post.

The Bluebirds had their first real chance in the 33rd minute when substitute Ben Fawcett – who had come on to replace Owain Jones – set up Greg Walters for a shot from outside the area, but his curling effort sailed well over the crossbar.

The hosts had a golden chance to add a third goal just minutes into the second half as a ball into the area found Hulbert, but his first-time effort slipped and flew high and wide.

The hosts continued to threaten with an over-the-top ball finding Dan Smith who advanced into the area, however a heroic block from Kyle McCarthy diverted his strike behind for a corner.

It didn’t take long for Barry to find a third goal just after the hour mark. A ball into the area from Margetson was finished first-time by Owen, who half-volleyed it past Rees.

From the restart, Barry immediately won the ball back and drove into the area where a late challenge from McCarthy earned them a penalty. Hulbert stepped up and sent Rees the wrong way to make it four for the hosts.

The Bluebirds tried to get back into the game, registering their first shot on target in the 81st minute. Abbruzzese tested George Ratcliffe from outside the area, but the goalkeeper got down well to make the save.

In the final minutes, Haverfordwest County had their best opportunity when a dangerous cross from the left reached Ben Ahmun, but his header narrowly missed the left post capping off a frustrating night for the visitors.

Barry Town United: Ratcliffe, Bernard, Margetson, Davies, W. Richards, Cuddihy (Williams 80′), Sainty, E. Richards (Smith 58′), Willmott (Barton 38′), Owen, Hulbert

Substitutes not used: Jo. Thomas, Beynon, Ja. Thomas, Saunders

Haverfordwest County: L. Rees, Hawkins, D. Rees (C), A. Jones, McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Watts (Humphreys 56′), Kenniford (Makwiramiti 56′), Walters, O. Jones (Fawcett 19′), Ahmun

Substitutes not used: Knott, Owen, Watkins, James

Highlights

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