Haverfordwest County secured back to back victories at the Bridge Meadow on Friday (Oct 10) writes Jonathan Twigg, with a 2-0 success over Bala Town, having dominated the game, this despite a tame opening, Rhys Abbruzzese combining with Corey Shephard, who was far from grazing as he moved across the midfield seamlessly bringing Greg Walters into play, his cultured left boot one to admire on a calm and still Haverfordwest evening, the early noise coming from the mascots of Fishguard Sports U7 team.

Bluebirds legend Ricky Watts, who has played 431 games for his home town club, was another who relished the quick transitional play which continually opened space, visiting skipper Nathan Burke a classic car as he sat in front of his back four with aplomb, Torrance equal to some fine inter play from Shepherd and Dan Hawkins whose cross from the left was intercepted before reaching the feet of Ben Ahumn on 15 minutes.
The crowd of 608 had little to voice their acclaim until after the midway point of the half, Shepherd starting the move by finding Watts getting beyond the last man, possession well controlled and Shepherds dipping shot from 20 yards scraping the top of the crossbar.

The game saw a lot of off the ball posturing between both sets of players from dead ball situations, a frustrating aspect which referee from Gowerton Bryn Markham-Jones could do little about as they were both as bad as each other.

Luc Rees the home custodian was called upon on the half hour to save smartly from Mehaseeb after Jones played a poor ball across his defensive line and Ibrahim capitalised to set up his striker from 12 yards. The Bluebirds reestablished their mantra two minutes later and Hawkins with a diving header was a whisker away from opening the scoring, Abbruzzese again the provider, the wing back owing the left side and his accurate through balls deserved a better result.

The Lakesiders, formed in 1880 showed promise in their attack, Louis Hall showing a clear pair of heels down the left flank, his sides red shirts failing to infiltrate the 18 yard box where again his delivery deserved a better result, centre half John Owen also one to show strongly as he had a battle royal with Ahumn, who chose to shoot from 18 yards on 40 minutes, with Iori Humphreys clear outside him the better option.
Abbruzzese was again faultless in his delivery on the cusp of half time, Walters providing a sublime through ball inside full back Will Bell, Hawkins unable to get the final touch.

The home side started strongly, centre half Elliot Scotcher faultless and his partner in crime Jones with a commanding 40 yard run which Ahumn couldn’t fulfil, Abbruzzese foiled by the bravery of Torrance at his feet a minute later and on 50 minutes Hawkins pushed Ahumn clear but the forward pulled his shot from ten yards across the far post.

Both flanks were a source of success, skipper Dylan Rees strong to win the ball on the right and his inside ball to Watts provided Walters with the space to opening the scoring from 8 yards, the visiting defence static to the movement.

With the imposing castle overlooking the goal which was being attacked by the vibrant Bluebirds remained under siege, man of the match Walters a fulcrum for the offensive play, the goal scorer pulling his shot from 20 yards wide, he and his team mates strutting confidently as the game slipped beyond the hour, the concentration there defensively, Shepherd driving forward saw his shot on 65 minutes slip beyond the post as he nearly doubled his sides lead ten minutes after the opener.

Markham-Jones was a key communicator, allowing the play to develop whilst his fitness was unquestionable which helped him sell his decisions to all and sundry, waving away Bala appeals for a penalty, cards remaining in his pocket with a stern warning required if needed to underline his empathy for the game.

A double substitution with 25 minutes remaining when Sam Billington and Jacob Tarseenko for Ibrahim and Nalatache saw little respite for the North Walians, the Bluebirds again swift in their attacking play and Ahumn directed a powerful header beyond the helpless Torrance to make it 2-05 minutes later, Watts replaced by Makwiramiti who brought renewed energy, goalkeeper Rees making a crucial save from Mehasseb to underline the spirit and determination instilled from the gaffer, Tony Pennock.

Bala's Liam Higgins made way for the final quarter of an hour, Levi Lumeka replacing him as Stephen Fisher tried to rally his troops into the match, the reds enjoying a period of possession but unable to penetrate beyond Scotcher.

Owain Jones made an appearance with 10 minutes remaining, replacing Ahumn who had a standing ovation as he made his way to the dugout, Scotchers strong tackle after tackle as there was little space for Bala to exploit, Tom Shepherd the final substitution from Pennock for Humphreys in the final whisperings of the game, Evan Smith getting a run out before the long journey home to Maes Tegid, for Mehasseb, Rees capping a fine performance in the home net saving from Harry Dean in the final minute of the four added.

Haverfordwest County

Rees L; Rees D ©️; Scotcher; Abbruzzese; Scotcher; Jones A; Watts; Shephard C; Hawkins; Walters; Humphreys (Shepherd, T; 85); Ahmun (Jones, O; 79)

Substitutes not used
Millichip; Owen; Hughes.

Bala Town

Torrance; Hall; Bell; Nalatache (Billington; 63); Burke ©️; Owen; Higgins; Ibrahim (Tarasenko; 63); White; Dean; Mehasseb (Smith; 88).

Substitutes not used
Digbeu; Lumeka.

Match Officials

Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones (Gowerton )
Assistant Referees: Cilan Thomas & Ethan Goatley
4th Official: Alex McInch

Match Photos from Emmanuel Cabral Photography

Photo Gallery (click to view in full)