JD Cymru Premier – Phase 1

 
 

Haverfordwest County 2 – Connah’s Quay Nomads 1

 

Haverfordwest County deservedly inflicted a rare win against Connah’s Quay Nomads in their re-arranged game at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on a chilly Tuesday evening.
 
This result ensured the Bluebirds finished seventh in the table as the Nomads are second in the Phase One. This excellent win will give Haverfordwest County a morale boost going into the second split of Phase Two of the season.
 
Manager Tony Pennock made two changes to the Bluebirds’ starting line-up that played TNS three weeks ago; Ricky Watts and Elliott Dugan were drafted in for Jazz Richards and Ben Fawcett, whilst new signing Oscar Borg was in the squad for the first time.
 
The Nomads lost on penalties in the Nathanial MG League Cup final on Saturday against Bala Town, and in this clash manager Neil Gibson partnered Joe Malkin up front with the vastly-experienced Mike Wilde alongside  four academy players on the bench.
 
The Bluebirds led 2-1 in a highly entertaining first half, Elliott Dugan scored an early opener with a superb strike a volley from 25 yards, but it was short lived as the Nomads equalised through defender Ben Nash from some poor marking at a corner.

Pennock’s men regained the lead as Jordan Davies scored from the spot for his ninth league goal of the season after Henty Jones was hauled down. There were't many clear cut chances created in the second period, but the Bluebirds will feel delighted they inflicted only a fourth defeat of the season against Gibson’s men.
 

What a strike by Dugan

 
Jordan Davies had an early sight at goal – in the fourth minute Dugan scored with a terrific strike from distance which flew into the top corner.
 
However, the Nomads struck back when defender Ben Nash pounced to square matters, and minutes later Aeron Edwards’ dangerous shot from distance flew wide of the target.



 

Jordan is spot on for Bluebirds

 
In the 28^th minute the hosts were awarded a penalty which Jordan Davies confidently despatched sending Andy Firth the wrong way,  and minutes before the break Malkin’s close range header flew over the crossbar.
 
Both teams looked strong defensively as they cancelled each other out until the hour mark when lively Dugan broke away, but the striker’s tame shot was comfortably gathered by Andy Firth.
 
In the 70^th minute the hosts could have gone 3-1 ahead as Lee Jenkins’ firm header went over the crossbar from a corner.
 
On the stroke of full time Jack Wilson chipped Firth, but the keeper back tracked back to tip it over the bar.
 

New boy on the block

 
On transfer deadline day Haverfordwest County have signed Jack Leahy on loan from Cardiff City for the remainder of the season. The London-born 20 year-old winger is a product of  Brighton and Hove Albion, where he spent six years, before a spell at Merstham in Surrey, and then moved to Cardiff City to join the Professional Development League.
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees (Captain), Kyle Patten, Ricky Watts (88’ Iori Humphreys), Henry Jones (62’ Ioan Evans), Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale, Lee Jenkins, Jack Wilson, Elliott Dugan (71’ Jazz Richards).
Substitutes not used: Lee Idzi, Oscar Borg, Seth Woodhouse, Harri John.
 
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Andy Firth, John Disney, Ryan Harrington, Gorge Horan (Captain), Callum Morris, Michael Wilde, Joe Malkin, Ben Nash, Aron Williams, Aeron Edwards (90' Daniel Roberts), Josh Williams (81 Harry Franklin).
Substitutes not used: Hughie Foulkes, Kris Owens, Leon Bennett, Jonathan Sodhi.
 
Referee: Alex Livesey.
Assistants: James Sheils & Bryn Jones.
Fourth Official: Tom Bevan.