JD Cymru – Play-Off Conference:

 
 

Haverfordwest County 1 - Newtown 2

 

Venue: The Bridge Meadow Stadium
Referee: Alex McInch
Assistants: Daniel Beckett & Bryn Jones
Fourth Official: Ben Williams
 

Haverfordwest County’s disappointing run of results since the JD Cymru Premier League split into championship and conference sections continued with a defeat at home against Newtown, who are now assured of a play-off place after they have collected 24 points out of 30 since then.
 
In stark contrast, The Bluebirds have garnered only five points since they won 3-0 at Newtown just prior to the separation, not what canny manager Wayne Jones would have wanted after only just missing out on a top-six spot.
 

Terrible start for The Bluebirds . . .

 
And they made the worst possible start as they went a goal down in the opening minute when they conceded a corner on the left at the clubhouse end and when Newtown’s skipper Craig Williams whipped in a cross there was too much ball-watching and in-form goal scorer Tyrone Ofori had the simplest of tap-ins from only four yards!
 

. . . But Fawcett superbly heads them level

 
But with Elliott Scotcher and Corey Shephard prompting from midfield the home side had Jack Wilson and Ben Fawcett beginning to pose a threat and after 17 minutes they drew level, again from a corner kick which Elliott whipped in at speed.
 
The first to react was Fawcett, arguably the smallest player on the field but the first to react with a near-post run and superb glancing header which flew past Newtown keeper Dave Jones and into the top far corner before he could blink.
 

More trouble at set-pieces

 
The Bluebirds’ shortcomings at set-pieces was all too evident, however, after 23 minutes when they conceded a free kick on the left and again skipper Williams’ cross caused mayhem as Kieran Mills-Evans was left free to chest it goalwards but Wojciech Gajda flung himself to his left to push the ball away – and the keeper showed why he had been voted the club’s player of the month for April as he also tipped Ofori’s header to safety soon afterwards.
 
The Bluebirds’ seeming inability to mark up at corners finally came back to bite them again when defender Shane Sutton was able to direct his header through a packed area and out of Gajda’s reach.
 

Blues miss half-chances before the break

 
As Haverfordwest tried to battle back Daniel Summerfield hit a pile-driver from 25 years after a half clearance but it flew just the wrong side of the bar and soon afterwards Sheppard had the chance to score but his header lacked power and Jones was able to save – and Scotcher’s left-foot volley flew wide as The Bluebirds showed they were still in contention at the break.
 

Chances at both ends

 
But the second half start was almost the same as the first, but fortunately without a goal against The Bluebirds after they conceded an early corner, but Mills-Evans uncontested header flew well over the bar.
 
At the other end, Fawcett’s dogged persistence almost paid off, but the ball bounced awkwardly for Danny Williams and was cleared by Sutton.
 

Goal appeals turned down by officials

 
Then The Bluebirds had claims for a goal turned down by referee Alex McInch, who had a good game, after Fawcett set up a chance for a far-post header by Williams which Jones spooned away – and the assistant referee, who was at the far side of the pitch, didn’t agree with Haverfordwest’s appeals for an equaliser.
 

Keetch misses golden chance with his first touch – and Jones saves The Bluebirds’ late blushes

 
As substitutes were brought on Cameron Keetch had a golden chance with his first touch as he was unmarked at the far post and latched on to an inch-perfect cross by Summerfield – but put his header well wide of the far post with Jones stranded.
 
But at the far end Newton’s replacement striker Jamie Breeze also looked likely to make the game safe with five minutes left but a desperate last-ditch block by Alaric Jones saved the day.
 

Bluebirds hoping to end season on a winning note

 
Haverfordwest pushed forward in search of the equaliser they deserved as Scott Tancock and skipper Ricky Watts urged their side on, but there were no further goals, so it looks as if Newton have earned a play-off place against Penybont, whilst The Bluebirds entertain basement strugglers Cefn Druids, at 12 noon next Saturday, who lost 6-0 against Cardiff Met.
 
Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda: Daniel Summerfield (Sean Pemberton 81); Alaric Jones; Scott Tancock; Ricky Watts (Capt); Corey Shephard: Kurtis Rees; Elliot Scotcher (Cameron Keetch 75); Danny Williams: Ben Fawcett (Marcus Griffiths 87); Jack Wilson.
Subs not used: Josh Le Grice; Trystan Jones; Nicky Palmer; Daniel James.
 
Newtown: Dave Jones: Craig Williams (capt); Kieran Mills-Evans; Shane Sutton; Callum Roberts: Nick Rushton (Jamie Breeze 80); Ryan Edwards (James O’Neill); Alex Fletcher; Fumpa Mwande (Sean McAllister 70); Jordan Evans; Tyrone Ofari.
Subs not used: Kham Steventon; Jake Phillips; Alfie Jones.