JD Welsh Premier – Phase 2 Playoff Conference

 
 

Haverfordwest County 2 – Aberystwyth Town 0

 
Haverfordwest County grabbed a goal in each half to claim their first win since the split to overcome ten-man Aberystwyth Town on Friday night.
 
The Bluebirds are currently top of the bottom group, one point better off than Penybont with two games remaining.
 
Goals from Daniel Hawkins and Martell Taylor-Crossdale earned the hosts three crucial points much to the delight of manager Tony Pennock.
 
Regarding the Bluebirds poor recent form: “The lads have been great in training,” said Pennock. “We kept another clean sheet, that’s two in three games, we haven’t been conceding goals. It was important tonight that we got that first win.”
 
Skipper Ricky Watts’ deflected early effort from a long Jack Wilson throw in, at the other end Zac Jones made a decent save to deny Zac Hartley.
 
Rhys Abbruzzese beautifully curled a 25 yard left footed strike which goalkeeper Owen Basey gathered comfortably.
 
Minutes later Oliver Basey took out Taylor-Crossdale and was issued a straight red card for destroying a goal scoring opportunity. Taylor-Crossdale saw his resultant spot kick saved by substitute Jonathan Davies.
 
In added time during the first period the hosts finally broke the deadlock with a cracking goal, Abbruzzese’s wicked cross from the left was met with a peach of glancing header by Hawkins which flew in the far corner.
 
Shortly after the break the Bluebirds continued to put the Seasiders under pressure as Taylor-Crossdale pushed a low effort wide from a one-on-one, the lively Abbruzzese struck a speculative 30 yard shot which flew over the crossbar.
 
The hosts doubled the lead in the 58^th minute when keeper Jones’ long punt up field caused problems when goal scorer Hawkins played a delicate chip in the box, Taylor-Crossdale took a touch before he made no mistake from close range.
 
On 81 minutes teenager Fletcher Picton replaced goal scorer Taylor-Crossdale which was the promising teenager’s senior debut for Haverfordwest County.
 
On full time Ben Fawcett saw his goal bound effort parried straight in the path of Iori Humphreys who had a close range snap shot blocked.
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Ricky Watts (Captain) (Declan Carroll 54’), Kai Whitmore, Ben Fawcett, Daniel Hawkins (Rio Dyer 61’), Martell Taylor-Crossdale (Fletcher Picton 81’), Lee Jenkins, Oscar Borg, Jack Wilson (Iori Humphreys 81’), Corey Shephard.
 
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Lucas Davies, Jacob Owen.
 
Aberystwyth Town: Oliver Basey, Liam Walsh (Calum Huxley 84’), Ben Woolam, Louis Bradford, Jack Thorn (Captain), Iwan Lewis, Mark Cadwallader (Nick Keyamo 84’), John Owen (Akeem Hinds 71’), Zac Hartley (David Evans 31’), Jake Canavan, Billy Kirkman (Thomas Mason 84’).
Unused substitutes: Reuban Pridmore, Alex Darlington.
 
Referee: Nicholas Pratt.
 
Assistants: Jordan Christopher & Cilan Thomas.
 
Fourth Official: Tom Bevan.
 
Referee Observer: John Davies.
 
 
Attendance: 568.