Pennock’s Perfect Pen Save Protects Precious Point: Haverfordwest County 0 Aberystwyth Town 0

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 11th February
Haverfordwest County 0 Aberystwyth Town 0

A brave and battling defensive performance earned the young Black and Greens what could be a hugely important point at the Bridge Meadow last night, capped by an astonishing penalty save from keeper Alex Pennock, who repelled Danny Williams’ 74th minute effort to cause jubilation and earn huge acclaim amongst the travelling Black and Green supporters.

Pennock had come into the side to replace Gregor Zabret, with Jon Owen returning from injury to replace Steff Davies who himself picked up a niggle in the previous match. Another big Black and Green following greeted the players onto the field, and the hosts showed their attacking intent from the off. Jordan Davies curled a cross past the post from the left, and Ryan George did the same from the right. Dylan Rees headed wide from Elliott Scotcher’s corner, and Jack Wilson sent a shot wide. Following a series of corners Pennock appeared to pull off a super save, touching a volley from Kieran Lewis over the crossbar, though a goal kick was given. Jamie Veale had Aber’s first attempt blocked but back came the hosts with Corey Shepherd seeing a goalbound effort gathered by Pennock low down. Matty Jones sent in a dangerous cross easily collected by Lee Idzi in the home goal, before George crossed for a glorious opportunity for Davies, who missed from close range, and a half characterised by Haverfordwest dominance and a superb defensive show from Aber’s back line ended at 0-0.

Visiting supporters were hoping for an improvement after the break and they got it, with Matty Jones almost picking out Harry Franklin, voted Cymru Premier Player of the Month on a supporters’ poll this week, before Franklin almost sneaked in a second time. Aber had a huge let off when Kieron Lewis’ shot cannoned off the crossbar to safety, and then Wilson’s dangerous cross flicked a blue head and fizzed past Pennock’s far post. Sam Phillips then shot wide for Aber, and Franklin nodded Jones’ corner past the post with Aber competing better. Pennock punched a few corners clear to safety, but then with sixteen minutes to go came what looked to be a defining moment when sub Alhagi Touray Sisay was pulled back in the box, and a penalty was awarded to Haverfordwest. With Bridge Meadow holding its breath Danny Williams stepped up, and Pennock dramatically dived to his right to pull off an absolutely brilliant penalty save, his second in three starts for Town this season. Corey Shepherd shot wide and Williams blasted over, before Jonathan Evans came on up front to harry Havvy’s back line, and he himself had a shot from a great position out on the left saved by Idzi just on the ninety. Into injury time and Pennock denied Sisay again at his near post, before Veale almost picked out the flying Lee Jenkins at the far post, and the job was done.

Aber were not at their best last night, but cheered on by their loyal supporters, never ending blocks and defensive challenges from the likes of Jack Rimmer, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Rhys Davies, Matty Jones and Jack Thorn to name but six earned them what could be a hugely significant 24th point come the end of the season. With eighth placed Aber now standing just three points short of Caernarfon in seventh, the Black and Greens this morning can see the possible prize of a Top Six place glittering tantalisingly in the mid distance, dependant on results this afternoon and Connah’s Quay’s potential points deduction. With a Welsh Cup Quarter Final and a possible Top Six decider coming up before the end of the month, it’s not a bad time to be Black and Green. Come on Aber!!! 

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