REPORT: ATFC 0-0 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY

Craig Williams’ Black and Greens produced another excellent performance and result on Friday night at a balmy Park Avenue, holding last season’s Cymru Premier play-off finalists Haverfordwest County to a goalless draw while going close to claiming victory on more than one occasion.

Credit: Cai Williams

Harry Cottam came into the home side’s line-up for his first game since rejoining the club and made an excellent impression at centre-half with an authoritative display. The game started cautiously, with the visitors dominating possession and showing some neat movement but unable to create any clear-cut chances against Aber’s disciplined defensive shape.

Kyle McCarthy delivered a cross from the left which Will Hughes headed wide at the far post, before Aber responded through the lively Dan Owen, who reached the byline and cut the ball back for a trialist whose effort was blocked. The two sides traded free-kicks and corners without creating any real danger, before Aber came closest just before the break. Tom Evans burst down the right and crossed for Jonathan Evans to dart in at the near post, but his touch drifted narrowly wide, leaving the sides level at the interval.

The visitors made nine changes after the break, retaining a side packed with Cymru Premier experience, but Aber continued to create the better openings. Owen won possession on the right before cutting inside and curling a goal-bound effort that forced a fine save from Ifan Knott.

A direct ball was then flicked on by the indefatigable Aaron Williams, allowing Owen to almost sneak through on goal, but Knott was alert once again. Jonathan Evans then found Leo Thompson, who also tested the visiting goalkeeper, but Knott came out on top for a third time.

Town made nine substitutions of their own but maintained the defensive solidity that restricted Haverfordwest to very few chances. Sam Paddock produced an outstanding challenge to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity before Lewis Rees had an effort blocked and Jacob Bacon saw an attempt heroically cleared off the line as the Seasiders stood firm.

At the other end, a trialist headed wide from Thompson’s corner, while Rhys Hughes produced a series of exciting runs down the right but fired wide from a promising position. Aber comfortably dealt with a late free-kick in stoppage time, and there was still time for Hughes to see a deflected effort earn a corner as an entertaining, high-quality contest ended goalless.

Despite the lack of goals, Craig Williams’ men deserve enormous credit for their defensive discipline and for creating several goalscoring opportunities against top-class opposition. Having now kept three consecutive clean sheets in pre-season, confidence continues to build ahead of the new campaign.

The Black and Greens are back in action next Friday evening with another pre-season test away at Guilsfield. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.

See you there! 💚🖤