Haverfordwest County 1-0 Aberystwyth Town: Match Report

In a game where there was very little to separate the sides, a brisk counter attack early in the second half condemned Aber to a second successive defeat in Phase Two of the JD Cymru Premier.
 
In a tight and well matched affair, Ben Fawcett rolled the ball home after some sterling work down the right flank from Danny Williams to ensure the Bluebirds won the battle of the West Walians on a glorious Spring evening in Pembrokeshire.
 
Both sides had opportunities to open the scoring in a first half of limited goal scoring opportunities. The combination of a Matthew Jones corner and Marc Williams header which produced Friday’s goal nearly came good again but this time, the skipper’s header was well stopped by Gajda in the home goal. Harry Franklin and Williams combined well down the left hand side to tee up the returning Jamie Veale but the former Merthyr man’s curling shot was narrowly over the bar.
 
Haverfordwest County had chances of their own and their best chances fell to ex Cambrian & Clydach man Cameron Keetch. The industrious forward broke down the left hand side twice and on both occasions, could only drag his shots narrowly wide of Alex Pennock’s right hand post. The Bluebirds looked to exploit the middle of the park but the impressive Lee Jenkins and Louis Bradford coupled up Pennock’s superb command of his penalty area ensured the scores remained deadlocked at the interval.  
 
The second stanza started in much the same way as the first played out with very few clear cut goal scoring chances. Jon Owen saw a shot well stopped by the feet of Gajda after 48 minutes in a rare clear site of goal for either side.
 
The home side took the lead with a lightning quick counter attack just before the hour mark. Aber’s attacking throw in on the edge of the area was well defended and cleared to the busy Williams. The former Cardiff City man took off on a mazy run, hitting the byline before cutting the ball back gratefully to Fawcett who had the simple task of rolling the ball into the back of the net.
 
Gavin Allen introduced Dan Cockerline and Owain Jones in search of an equaliser and it was the former who had the Black and Green’s best opportunities to get back on level terms.
 
The striker showed excellent feet on the edge of the box to dance his way past two defenders but could only curl his shot over the bar.
 
Then seconds later, the former FC United man was agonisingly close to getting his head onto a sumptuous ball into the box from Franklin, however, the ball was inches away from making connection with the Aber man in the six yard area.
 
Despite the late introductions of Stephen Hewitt and Geoff Kellaway to push for an equaliser, it was to no avail as Wayne Jones’ men held out firmly to secure the all important win and put a huge dent in Aber’s hopes for a 7th place finish.
 
After two consecutive defeats, the men from Ceredigion have the opportunity to put these disappointments behind them with a Friday night game under the home lights of Park Avenue against Flint Town United. With the Silkmen winning 5-0 this evening and Aber looking to get back to winning ways, it’s sure to be a mouth-watering clash!