Haverfordwest County returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory of Cardiff Met on Friday (Mar 13) writes Jonathan Twigg, substitute Owain Jones with the all important strike on 80 minutes to reward the tactical inspiration of Manager Tony Pennock.

The Met started on the front foot, moving the ball crisply with centre forward Lewis Rees finding space on the right and his cross saw Fumpa Mwandwe’s shot charged down, home midfielder Greg Walters calmly heading the ball to the safe hands of Ifan Knott with a cluster of bodies around him.

The Bluebirds Rhys Abbruzzese was a constant outlet, with ball at his feet and space to exploit, his deep runs put pressure on the Archers defence, Joel Edwards and Dixon Kabongo equal to the task.

Panashe Makwiramiti was yellow carded by Powys referee Rob Jenkins after a head clash in the centre circle left Rees poleaxed causing a 12 minute delay; Haverfordwest Club Doctor Richard Thomapson oversaw the safe transportation of the forward from the field of play with James Clarke his replacement. Skipper Dylan Rees was happy offensively as well as orchestrating the home defence, threading through balls for Ben Ahumn, the centre half himself driving narrowly wide of Ewan Griffiths upright, from 25 yards.

Jake Morris replaced Eliot Evans after 39 minutes for the purple shirted visitors, the driving rain making conditions difficult for both sides, full credit to Jenkins who used his voice to manage the game and advantage to good accord, the Met having a goal disallowed as the game entered injury time when Knott was impeded coming to claim the ball shortly before Ahumn was carded for a push on Clarke which caused a collision with his own goalkeeper.

The Bluebirds best chance came to a marauding Abbruzzese from an Ahumn through ball, Griffiths saving with confidence, Kabongo having a snap shot high and wide the final action of the first half, Elliot Scotcher a commanding figure in the home defence, his presence both calming and influential on his team mates, Abbruzzese becoming the third home player in the referees note book, for dissent.

The second half started with both sides probing, it taking a quarter of an hour before the first shot on target, Dan Hawkins ghosting in from the left to warm Griffiths hands. Haverfordwest were finding it difficult to unlock any territory around centre half Mathew Chubb and the first Archer to find his arrow clipped with a yellow card midway through the half was Kabongo, Kyle Kenniford stamping his presence on proceedings as manager Pennock saw the opportunity to secure the points as his said chase the European play off place, Jacob Bacon replaced by goal scorer Jones and Makwiramiti making way for local Iori Humphreys as manager Pennock sought the three points.

Kyle McCarthy incurred the wrath of Jenkins for delaying the restart after he was penalised for handball on the halfway line, both sides endeavours increasing in the intensity of their tackles, Haverfordwest starting to control possession and territory, the game lacking the end product at the business end of the pitch as neither side had a quarterback to open the play.

Substitute Jones goal came with 10 minutes to go as the midfielder found himself unmarked in the six yard box to bury a Walters knock down at the far post from an Abbruzzese corner.

The jubilant crowd of 537 were again on their feet minutes later as Hawkins was upended on the edge of the box by Edwards, man of the match Abbruzzese agonisingly close with his left foot free kick, minutes before Clarbeston Road based fourth official Tom Bevan hoisted 3 additional minutes, Jenkins final whistle greeted with euphoric cheers from the ‘Bluebirds Barmy Army’ to acclaim a hard earned, but vital 3 points as they head north next Friday evening, to take on Bala Town.

Haverfordwest County

Ifan Knott; Dylan Rees ©️; Rhys Abbruzzese; Elliot Scotcher; Jacob Bacon (Iori Humphreys;67); Dan Hawkins; Panashe Makwiramiti (Owain Jones;67); Kyle McCarthy; Greg Walters; Kyle Kenniford; Ben Ahumn.

Substitutes not used

Luc Rees; Alaric Jones; Caden Fox; Ashley Watkins; Dylan McGuire.

Cardiff Met

Ewan Griffiths; Mathew Chubb; Joel Edwards; Liam Walsh; Eliot Evans (Barnaby Soady; 39); Dixon Kabongo; Lewis Rees (James Clarke; 27); CJ Craven ©️; Japer Payne; Fumpa Mwandwe.

Substitutes not used

Sam Seager; Adam Roscrow; Harri John; Harrison Matthews; Toby Raison.

Match Officials

Referee: Rob Jenkins (Cei'r Trallwng)
Assistant Referees: Ian Bird; Steffan Davies
Fourth Official: Tom Bevan

Match photos from Ethan Ellis

Photo Gallery (click to view in full)