JD Cymru Premier

 
 

Haverfordwest County 3 – Newtown 0

 
Haverfordwest County returned to the top of the table after a thoroughly deserved victory against ten-man Newtown at the LHP Stadium, Carmarthen, on Friday night.
 
Goals by Lee Jenkins, Iori Humphries and Owain Jenkins sealed the three points, it has kept the Bluebirds’ impressive unbeaten start to the season, once again it was another clean sheet.
 
Tony Pennock made two changes to the starting line-up from the draw against Cardiff Met last time out, in came Ricky Watts and Owain Jones also Kyle Kenniford was added to the bench.
 
The visitors made the brighter start, but it was the hosts who had the first shot on target as Robins’ keeper Alex Swindell tipped over Owain Jones’ near post effort.
 
A minute later at the other end the Robins were unlucky not to break the deadlock when Zeli Ismael’s wicked effort crashed off Zac Jones’ crossbar.
 
On the half hour mark the Bluebirds came close as centre back Jenkins pushed forward before delivering an excellent cross that Greg Walters headed goal bound, only for Swindell to palm away.
 
Soon after the Bluebirds opened the scoring when Jacob Owen’s corner was met by a towering header by birthday boy Lee Jenkins.
 
Substitute Ben Fawcett struck a wicked drive which crashed against the bar, on stroke of half  time the Robins went down to ten-men as Ismael received a second yellow from referee Bryn Markham-Jones for a cynical foul on Jacob Owen.
 
After the break the Bluebirds began to control and dominate matters, they were rewarded with a second set-piece goal shortly after the interval as Walters headed across the face of goal for Humphreys to nod in from close range.
 
On the hour mark they added a third, a superbly weighted defence splitting ball by central midfielder Walters to Watts, the latter drew keeper Swindell before he unselfishly squared to the well placed Owain Jones who planted into the empty net.
 
Fawcett saw his low drilled effort from outside the box comfortably saved by Swindell, which was the last of the action for an excellent result for Pennock’s men.
 
Haverfordwest County manager Tony Pennock: “Yes, I thought Newtown were the better team for the first 25 minutes to be fair. Once we got into the game we controlled the next 20, we nicked a goal just before half time. The sending off changed the game for Newtown on how they approached it, I thought we showed good patience in looking after the ball and the goals came in the second half.”



 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Lee Jenkins, Ricky Watts (61’ Kyle Kenniford), Corey Shephard (Captain), Kyle McCarthy (72’ Alaric Jones), Greg Walters, Owain Jones (61’ Ben Fawcett), Jacob Owen, Iori Humphreys (61’ Dan Hawkins – 72’ Harri John), Luke Tabone, Ben Ahmun.
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Daniel John.
 
Newtown: Alex Swindel, Callum Roberts, Shane Sutton (Captain), Jason Oswell, Zeli Ismael, Aaron Williams (71’ Hanoch Boakye), Calvin Smith (71’ Tarran Hollinshead), Oliver Sharp (58’ Ryan Price), George Hughes, Dominic Smith, Ben Guest (92’ Arnie Roberts).
Unused substitutes: Thomas Edwards, Iwan Smout.
 
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones.
 
Assistant: Jonathan Davis & Jane Portelli.
 
Fourth Official: Ben Williams.
 
Referee Observer: Nigel Richards.