JD Cymru Premier

 

Penybont 1 - Haverfordwest County 0

 
Mael Davies grabbed a second half winner to earn league leaders Penybont a slender victory against ten-man Haverfordwest County at the SDM Glass Stadium under lights on Tuesday evening.
 
Rhys Griffiths’ Bont outfit following this narrow win moved them four points clear of second placed  The New Saints who have two games in hand, the Bluebirds are in third spot ten points behind the leaders.
 
The visitors created the better chances in the first half, but two minutes after the break Davies scored the defining goal as he swept a volley home into the far corner of Zac Jones’ net. In the 64^th minute the Bluebirds were reduced to ten men as Malta international Luke Tabone was issued a second yellow card by referee David Morgan, which meant it was going to be an uphill struggle to get anything from this clash.
 
Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths made three changes to his starting line up which narrowly lost against champions The New Saints last time out as Clayton Green and Lewis Harling return following suspensions.
 
Haverfordwest County manager  Tony Pennock made one change following the draw against Bala Town, in came experienced midfielder Corey Shephard.
 
With barely five minutes on the clock Bluebirds’ skipper Dylan Rees took a shot from distance that keeper Adam Przybek gathered comfortably, a few minutes later Shephard struck a first time left footed effort which flew wide.
 
The visitors continued to press as Kyle Kenniford’s free kick into the box is flicked on by Luke Tabone, as the ball agonisingly goes wide.
 
Just before the break Jacob Owen  struck a shot from the left side of the area which struck the side netting, minutes later Ben Ahmun found the back of the net but it was ruled out for foul in the build-up, b as the score remained 0-0 at half time.
 
Two minutes after the break the hosts took the lead as Davies struck a volley from a corner. Minutes later Zac Jones pulled off a good save to deny Lewis Harling, five minutes later Joe Wood saw his edge of the box blocked as the Bluebirds came under immense pressure.
 
Clayton Green fired a vicious effort  from the edge of the 18 yard area over the crossbar, matters got worse for the visitors as Tabone saw red.
 
Kyle McCarthy found the back of the net for the visitors from close range, but for the second time it was ruled out, this time for offside as the Bluebirds became increasingly frustrated which saw boss Tony Pennock pick up a yellow card for his strong protests.
 
Four minutes from the end Ahmun headed goalwards only for Przybek to claim a comfortable save, as the Bont held on for a crucial three points.
 
Penybont: Adam Przybek, Kane Owen (Captain), Gabriel Kircough, Mael Davies, Lewis Harling, Chris Venables (74’ Keyon Reffell), James Crole, Joe Woodiwiss, Billy Borge, Nathan Wood, Clayton Green.
 
Unused substitutes: Michael Lewis, Kai Ludvigsen, Kostya Georgie, Ioan Phillips, Owen Pritchard, Eduardo Bregua.
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Dylan Rees (Captain) (58’ Ricky Watts), Lee Jenkins, Corey Shephard (70’ Kyle Kenniford), Ben Fawcett (69’ Owain Jones), Dan Hawkins, Alaric Jones (70’ Rhys Abbruzzese), Kyle McCarthy, Jacob Owen, Luke Tabone, Ben Ahmun.
 
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Harri John, Daniel John.
 
Referee: David Morgan.
 
Assistants: Daniel Beckett & Jordan Christopher.
 
Fourth Official: Ben Williams.
 
Referee Observer: Dean John.