JD Cymru Premier – Play-off Conference:

 

Haverfordwest County 1 – Aberystwyth Town 0

 

Ben Fawcett’s second half winner secured Haverfordwest County a slender hard-fought victory over Aberystwyth Town under lights at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Bluebirds’ manager Wayne Jones was a happy man following his side’s slender victory over his former club.

The hosts had previously suffered back-to-back defeats, so it was important that Haverfordwest County gained a morale winning boost.
 

Cagey opening
 

After cagey first half, Haverfordwest County must have felt frustrated that they didn’t manage to break the deadlock after creating the better chances.

The first chance fell to Aber, as a Matthew Jones corner was met by skipper Marc Williams, but his header was too close to Bluebirds’ keeper Wojciech Gajda. 

But for the remainder of the half, it was the home side that carried the greater threat. Danny Williams flashed a left foot shot across goal and the striker was involved again as he played a one-two with Cameron Keetch – only for Keetch to fire wide from point blank range. 

The same combination came close to breaking the deadlock again when Williams’ back heel teed up the midfielder, but again his effort was off target. 

Fast tempo
 

Both sides were playing at a fast pace and there was no shortage of intensity, with Scott Tancock booked after taking out Aber’s Harry Franklin, but it remained goalless at the break. 

Five minutes after the interval Elliot Scotcher whipped in a dangerous free kick inside the box, which was flicked on by Danny Williams, but the Seasiders clear the danger.
 

Fawcett strikes
 

The hosts opened the scoring in the 56^th minute when Danny Williams caused havoc as he entered the box and unselfishly squared to Ben Fawcett, who took a touch and drilled his effort into the back of the net.

Four minutes later the goal scorer Fawcett, who had worked his socks off was replaced by Marcus Griffiths. Kurtis Rees picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Harry Franklin.
 

 Determined Seasiders

The visitors went all guns blazing to grab an elusive equaliser, substitute Danny Cockerline fired over the crossbar from the edge of the box, Harry Franklin’s dangerous cross narrowly missed the head of the on rushing Cockerline.

This Saturday, 17th April, Haverfordwest County travel to Newtown, for another tough test for Wayne Jones’ men.

Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Daniel Summerfield, Alaric Jones, Scott Tancock, Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett (Marcus Griffiths 60), Cameron Keetch, Kurtis Rees, Elliot Scotcher (capt), Kieran Lewis, Daniel Williams (Trystan Jones 90).
Substitutes not used: Daniel James, Sean Pemberton, Joshua Le-Grice (GK).

Aberystwyth Town: Alexander Pennock, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Harry Franklin, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, John Owen (Dan Cockerline 73), Marc Williams (capt) (Owain Jones 73), David Evans (Steven Hewitt 82), Jack Thorn, Thomas Rimmer (Geoffrey Kellaway 88).
Substitutes not used: Rhys Davies, Richard Ricketts, Joseph Saunders.

Referee: Alex McInch.
Assistants: Daniel Beckett & Connor Thomas.
Fourth official: David Markham-Jones.