Haverfordwest County came off the bottom of the JD Cymru Premier table with a 3-1 victory at the windswept Bridge Meadow stadium on Saturday (Oct 4) writes Jonathan Twigg.
Wing back Rhys Abbruzzese the undoubted man of the match, as he stole the plaudits with a sublime free kick to open the scoring and was the fulcrum for much of the home sides offensive play alongside midfielders Corey Shepherd and Bluebirds legend, Ricky Watts, the who has made over 430 appearances for his hometown club.
The wind, which flowed down the Gyle from Withybush Hospital towards the Castle with some venom was a factor in the game, both sides endeavours often thwarted as the wind raised its tempo and the Flint Town goal scored on the hour by wingman Jack Phillips to reduce the arrears to 2-1 can be attributed solely to the wind as an aimless ball from Phillips got picked up by the wind and it sailed over everyone in the penalty box, to nestle in the top of Ifan Knotts goal, for which he could do nothing about.
Both sides found it difficult to get into their stride, home midfielder Greg Walters and Flints black and white shirted Phillps had tame shots, which didn’t test either goalkeeper, in the opening quarter of an hour, the Silkmen’s Darren Stephenson made an audacious back heel from a pin point Ben Hughes delivery from the left which got the crowd of 372 interested in the game, which also became a catalyst for man of the match Abbruzzese to strut his stuff in cahoots with Walters and Shepherd, their combined play falling short of providing clear cut opportunities for lively striker Ben Fawcett.
Abbruzzese with quick feet and an all round vision was instrumental in creating space for Walters and Shepherd, the former fouled midway through the half 20 yards from goal and Abbruzzese’s delivery served warning as he found the head of Elliot Scotcher, Flint’s orange shirted goalkeeper aptly Jack Flint not troubled on this occasion.
That changed less than ten minutes later as Abbruzzese opened the scoring on 33 minutes as he feathered a sublime left foot free kick into the top right hand corner of the net, such quality should without hesitation be enough to encourage more Bluebird supporters flocking to the Meadow nest for Fridays (Oct 10) fixture when Bala Town are the visitors.
With the confidence of a goal lead, Shepherd and Walters created space for Dan Hawkins to make the byline, his cross cleared for a corner and much to the irritation of home guru Tony Pennock it came to nothing, the Haverfordwest head honcho frustrated that all the work on the training pitch around set pieces came to nothing.
The final stages of the half were controlled by the Bluebirds, Watts strong with Fawcett linking well with his oncoming midfield and fellow frontman Ben Ahumn, FIFA referee Rob Jenkins of Welshpool underlying an excellent performance, being seen but not heard unless needed, where his calming demeanour, enough blowing for half time.
The second half came alive early when Hawkins doubled the lead after 3 minutes, Shepherd wrong footing the Silkmen defence with a back heel after Fawcett again came deep to receive the ball, his swift turn and vision opening up the space for Shepherd who set Hawkins in on goal and the wingman did the rest with a composed finish.
The home side consolidated the game for the next ten minutes, Scotcher and Rees alongside Jones ensuring Knott was tested only from distance, the shot stoppers delivery from hand quickly becoming an attacking weapon as he landed his bombs 75 yards down field with the wind behind him allowing Ahumn and Fawcett to cause problems.
Phillips goal to make the game 21 was also a cue for the midfield battle to be a tad snappier, the composure of Abbruzzeses a shining beacon for his side to follow, Flints Elliot Reeves guiding a header wide when he found space from another Phillips delivery.
With 20 minutes remaining visiting manager visiting manager Steve O’Shaunnessy introduced George Maire for Hughes and Michael Burke was replaced by Daniel Davies, which again raised the tempo of the competitive midfield area. Chances were rationed, Knott commanding his 18 yard area as Scotcher again showed his experience to hold off challenges and keep the black and white shirts at bay, the efforts of the midfield trio in front of him waning a tad which was unsurprising considering their work rate off the ball.
The game entered its final 10 minutes, Ken Imaariage came on for Stephenson, Pennock bringing Owain Jones on for Ahumn and Iori Humphries for Fawcett in a change of formation, Knott again called on to bravely seek the ball in the swirling wind which he did with aplomb.
Clarbeston Road based 4th official Tom Bevans signalled 4 minutes of additional time which was an incentive for Shepherd to find the energy to drive forward fifty yards and force a corner, the tactical awareness and braveness of the Bluebirds to keep the ball live from the set piece saw substitute Humphries head home from 8 yards to secure the victory which elevated his side above Llanelli Town.
Haverfordwest travel to second placed Penybont on Tuesday (Oct 7) before they welcome mid table Bala, six points from the two fixtures would see the Bluebirds climb into the sought after Championship places ahead of the forthcoming international break.
Haverfordwest County
Knott; Rees D ©️; Abbruzzese; Scotcher; Jones, A; Watts; Shepherd, C; Fawcett (Humphries; 81); Hawkins; Walters; Ahumn (Jones, O; 81)
Substitutes not used
Rees L; Makiwara; Owen; Watkins; Hughes.
Flint Town United
Flint; Burke (Davies; 65); Owen ©️; Thorn; Phillips; Hughes (Maire; 65); Reeves; Wynne (Jones; 30); Lee; Canavan; Stephenson (Imariage; 81).
Substitutes not used
Szczepanaik; Ferguson.
Match Officials
Referee: Rob Jenkins (Welshpool)
Assistant Referees: Lewis Edwards & Mathew Johnson
4th Official: Tom Bevans
Match Photos from Emmanuel Cabral Photography
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
