Haverfordwest County secured the coveted slot for a European play off place with a 1-0 victory over closet rivals Briton Ferry Llansawel, substitute Will Hughes with the all important goal in a scrappy encounter on Saturday (Mar 28) writes Jonathan Twigg.
A first minute chance was wasted by Tom Price who struck wide from 15 yards, whilst Corey Shephard had the Bluebirds opening effort having been set up on goal by Dan Hawkins, the home midfielder's effort cleared for a corner, the resultant pressure seeing Greg Walters drive his left foot effort over visiting goalkeeper Wil Fullers crossbar.
Haverfordwest were dominant of the ball for long periods, Elliot Scotcher a class act at centre half and Shephard the playmaker in the Pembrokeshire sunshine, Swansea City academy loanee Mitchel Bates a driving fulcrum for the visitors from Old Road alongside his brother Luis Bates.
Ricky Watts delivered a tantalising cross which saw Kyle Kenniford nip in at the far post but he was unable to keep his header to trouble Fuller, Walters also angling a header wide after a free kick found him at the far post inside the opening quarter of an hour.
Cardiff referee Jordan Harman played an outstanding advantage which saw birthday celebrating Rhys Abbruzzese sling a pin point pass to Walters who created space in the penalty area, his effort from 12 yards not troubling Fuller midway through the opening period. Home stalwart Ricky Watts combined well with his skipper Dylan Rees on the right flank, Abbruzzese equally as diligent in his offensive play on the opposite flank, quarterback Shepherd linking play with aplomb.
Kyle McCarthy, the third central defender for the Bluebirds showed his quality, looking untroubled, reading the game from which he played the simple ball to kick start the home plays efforts to open the scoring. Shepherd brought a fine one handed save with a kick over his shoulder, from Fuller after Ben Ahmun set him up with a cushioned header from another Abbruzzese cross, Ferry full back Luis Bates cautioned for persistent infringements of the Laws of the Game., Price also finding his name taken before the half time whistle as his side had conceded 11 free kicks, by the Cardiff official who had an outstanding game.
Wing back Will Hughes replaced Scotcher at half time, as manager Tony Pennock, in charge for the 151st time changed to a traditional 4-4-2, the youngster's speed on 52 minutes creating an opportunity with a delicious cross, Ahumn challenging Fuller and the hesitant custodian missed the ball, the goal accredited to Hughes, Ferry’s assistant manager Rob Jones dismissed for foul and abusive language and Hughes then carded for delaying the restart by kicking the ball away after being flagged offside.
The Ferry stepped up a gear, creating a great chance to tie the game on 55 minutes, Price setting up frontman Thomas Walter, Rees making the block on his six yard line, Walters again getting goal side but skipper Rees did enough to prevent a clear shot on goal before the hour mark.
Rees, a PE teacher at Greenhill School Tenby pushed Shephard for the man of the match accolade, the midfielder faultless in his deliveries which put his side firmly in the European play off place with two games remaining. Goalkeeper Ifan Knott showed his experience and concentration to keep the score level, saving at the feet of Price before Walters made a well timed tackle in the penalty area to stop his namesake Walters which drew loud applause from the 620 spectators at the Bridge Meadow.
Sam Snaith replaced Ollie Anderson for the Ferry, who were formed as a hundred years ago as ‘Ex Briton Ferry School Boys’ the current club formed in 2009 to combine two sides, Briton Ferry Athletic and Llansawel, the final quarter seeing Rio Dyer replace Ricky-Lee Owen and the Bluebirds Ahmun making way for Owain Jones as they attacked the Castle end of the ground.
Hughes made a strong run deep into the penalty area, Kian Jenkins making a key tackle, Hughes drifting a header wide a minute later from Abbruzzese's cross. Shephard released Jones and the substitute drew a one to one save from Fuller, the goalkeeper strong under pressure as the home sides impressive Kenniford looked to make their possession count.
A double substitution on 77 minutes saw Kieran Williams and Luke Cooper make way for Corey Hurford and Ryan George. Teenager Ashley Watkins came on for Kenniford with under 10 minutes to play, Knott controlling his area confidently, and just prior to the final whistle seeing Hari Thomas replace Hughes, his fellow substitute and the games only goalscorer.
Walters made a clumsy challenge on Price, the left foot free kick drifting aimlessly over the bar from Kian Jenkins, the last action of the game saw Watts carded for a body check challenge, Jenkins free kick seeing Watkins with a key a goal line clearance after Knott saved from Snaith, the home sides Hawkins then carded.
Haverfordwest County
Knott; Rees D ©️; Abbruzzese; Scotcher (Hughes; 45; Thomas; 87); Watts; Shephard C; Hawkins; McCarthy; Walters; Kenniford (Watkins; 81); Ahmun (Jones, O; 72).
Substitutes not used
Rees L; Jones A; Humphreys.
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Fuller; Bates L; Jenkins (Hurford; 77); Gammond ©️; Williams; Price; Walters; Owen (Dyer Ro; 77); Cooper (George; 77); Anderson (Snaith; 63); Bates M.
Substitutes not used
Wilson; Dyer Ri; Packer.
Match Officials
Referee: Jordan Harman (Cardiff)
Assistant Referees: Daniel Beckett & Josh Roper
4th Official: Ben Williams
Match Photos from Ethan Ellis
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
