JD Cymru Premier

 

Newtown 0 - Haverfordwest County 2

 
 
Haverfordwest County moved third in the table after they deservedly overcame Newtown at Montgomery Waters Latham Park on Boxing Day.
 
Ben Fawcett found the back of the net which gave the visitors a one-goal cushion at the break, midway through the second half Rhys Abbruzzese doubled his side’s lead as he made no mistake from the penalty spot, as the defender also assisted for the opening goal.
 
Bluebirds’ manager Tony Pennock made three changes from the team that disappointingly bowed out of the Welsh Cup at the expense of JD Cymru South outfit Llanelli Town. Alaric Jones, Kyle Kenniford and Dan Hawkins all started as Greg Walters took his place on the bench.
 
For the Robins there was a return for Ollie Sharp, Callum Roberts and Josh Lock who replaced the injured George Hughes and suspended Ryan Pryce and Shane Sutton.
 
The hosts were unlucky not to take the lead early on as Jason Oswell headed inches wide from a corner.
 
However, the Bluebirds took the lead as a half cleared free kick in the box fell to Abbruzzese who lofted a long ball back up the middle of the park which Fawcett controlled superbly inside the area before he rounded goalkeeper Samuel Ussher and the striker tucked the ball into the empty net.
 
Midway through the first period Josh Lock struck from inside the area which was deflected for a corner.
 
Pennock’s men nearly doubled the lead as Fawcett’s glancing header narrowly missed the target, minutes later at the other end saw Zac Jones bravely deny Lock from close range.
 
On the hour mark the Robins came close to equalising as Jolyon Harries glanced a header narrowly wide. Bluebirds’ skipper Dylan Rees struck from distance which Ussher comfortably gathered.
 
The visitors were awarded a stonewall penalty as keeper Ussher took out Dan Hakins inside the box. Abbruzzese stepped up and confidently put goalkeeper Ussher the wrong way to put the Bluebirds in  control.
 
Greg Walters received an inviting pass  from Ricky Watts outside the 18 yard area, the substitute struck a wicked shot which Ussher palmed away at full stretch.
 
Near the end the hosts came close as striker Oswell struck the post from inside the box, that effort just about summed up their afternoon as Pennock’s men stayed firm as they claimed a vital win in their aim to finish in the top six with three games left to play before the mid-season split.
 
On New Year’s Day Haverfordwest County entertain Aberystwyth Town on the newly laid 3G surface at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, kick off is at 2.30pm with a good crowd expected for the grand opening.
 
Newtown: Samuel Ussher, Callum Roberts, Robert Evans (Captain), Jason Oswell, Josh Lock (62’ Tarran Hollins), Zeli Ismael (84’ Hanoch Boakye), Aaron Williams, Jolyon Harries, Calvin Smith, Oliver Sharp, Dominic Smith.
Unused substitutes: Andrei Nzaru, Robert Davies, Arnie Roberts, Joshua Taylor, Aidan McCann.
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees (Captain) Lee Jankins, Corey Shephard (77’ Greg Walters), Ben Fawcett, Dan Hawkins (71’ Ben Ahmun), Alaric Jones, Kyle McCarthy, Kyle Kenniford (77’ Ricky Watts), Jacob Owen.
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Harri John, Daniel John, Fletcher Picton.
 
Referee: Alex McInch.
 
Assistants: Jonathan Davis & Matthew Johnson.
 
Fourth Official: Tegid Richards.
 
Referee Observer: Kim Fisher.