Haverfordwest County were unable to complete the double over Flint Town United in Phase One of the JD Cymru Premier, as the Silkmen ran out 4-1 winners at the Essity Stadium on Saturday.
First-half goals from Kai Edwards, Michael Wilde and Jack Kenny gave the hosts a 3-0 lead at half-time, with the Bluebirds struggling in the face of a strong breeze.
Substitute Danny Williams scored just before the hour mark to pull a goal back for County, but Kenny found the net for a second time with 10 minutes left on the clock to all but end the contest.
Wayne Jones made two changes to the side that lost to Caernarfon two weeks prior, with Alaric Jones and Kieran Lewis replacing Williams and Ben Fawcett in the starting lineup.
The Bluebirds appealed for a penalty in the early stages of the game when Jack Wilson went down inside the area. However, referee Mark Petch adjudged that there had been no contact, and booked the winger for simulation.
Just two minutes later, Neil Gibson’s side took the lead when a cross to the back post found Edwards, who climbed highest to head home from close range.
The Silkmen should have doubled their advantage approaching the half hour mark, but Mark Cadwallader somehow managed to hit the woodwork with his shot from point-blank range.
Flint were two goals to the good 10 minutes later though, as Wilde – who was last season’s golden boot winner in the JD Cymru Premier – ran through on goal before slotting past Lee Idzi.
County will have wanted to keep the deficit to two goals heading into half-time, however two minutes before the break a through ball picked out Kenny, who ran past Idzi before sliding the ball home from a tight angle to make it 3-0.
The Bluebirds were much improved in the early stages of the second-half, and managed to get on the scoresheet when substitutes Fawcett and Williams combined, with the former sprinting clear of Ben Nash before squaring to the latter, who slotted past Ryan Woods.
Jones’ side continued to create openings as they searched for a way back into the game, but they were unable to find the net again, and were made to pay when Kenny broke through and found the bottom right corner to make it 4-1.
The Bluebirds drop down to 11th following the defeat, and will look to bounce back when they host Bala Town at the Ogi Bridge Meadow next Saturday, December 11 (Kick-off: 14:30)
