JD Cymru Premier

 
 

Haverfordwest County 1 – Caernarfon Town 1

 
Rhys Abruzzese’s stunning 96^th minute free kick earned Haverfordwest County a thoroughly deserved draw against Caernarfon Town at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
 
In a highly entertaining clash where both sides created enough chances to win it, a share of the spoils was the right outcome.
 
Tony Pennock’s County outfit came into this clash still awaiting their first win of the season, after they had drawn and suffered a defeat, whilst the Canaries had won their opening two fixtures.
 
Ricky Watts came in for the injured Jack Wilson, which was the only change to the County starting eleven that lost 2-0 at Penybont.



 
Ben Fawcett thought he had broken the deadlock midway through the first period, but it was ruled out for offside, and six minutes before the interval the hosts ware awarded a penalty. Up stepped Martell Taylor-Crossdale but he saw his 12-yard effort well-saved by Canaries’ goalkeeper Lewis Webb.

The visitors took the lead in the 77^th minute when Louis Lloyd looped his header into the far corner, then with the very last roll of the dice up stepped Abbruzzese, who equalised with a stunning curling 25 yard free kick.
 
Caernarvon should have opened the scoring as early as the second minute when a corner fell invitingly for Iwan Cartwright at the far post, but  the right back lashed his first-time effort against the crossbar.
 
Minutes later the ever-improving central midfielder Tyrese Owen won possession just inside his own half before charging up field, where he unleashed a low edge of the area shot which Webb comfortably saved diving to his left.
 
The Bluebirds continued to put the visitors under pressure, when Webb incredibly denied Owen from point blank range.




 
On the half hour mark Fawcett got on the end of skipper Luke Tabone’s cross from the right to find the back of the net, but the linesman flagged the striker offside.
 
Sion Bradley whipped in a dangerous cross across the face of goal which evaded everyone inside the box, minutes later Canaries’ skipper Darren Thomas struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box, which keeper Zac Jones palmed away for a corner.
 
After the break, Pennock’s men continued to press as Fawcett skied one over the bar, Kai Whitmore made inroads in to box from the right, but the industrious midfielder saw his shot blocked. Jenkins’ far post header was gratefully received by Webb.
 
The hosts dominated but without a frustrating end product, as skipper Tobone’s strike was deflected for a corner.
 
Thirteen minutes from full time the visitors opened the scoring, a half-cleared corner was put back in the box for the unmarked Lloyd who looped his header into the net.
 
In the last minute of added time, left back Abbruzzese’s stunning curling free kick flew into the top corner that earned his side a draw.
 
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Ricky Watts (81’ Harri John),  Luke Tabone (Captain), Lee Jenkins, Oscar Borg, Rhys Abbruzzese, Tyrese Owen, Kai Whitmore, Ben Fawcett, Daniel Hawkins, Martell Taylor-Crossdale.
Substitutes not used: Ifan Knott, Kayden Williams-Lowe, Iori Humphreys, Lucas Davies, Seth Woodhouse.
 
Caernarfon Town: Lewis Webb, Iwan Cartwright, Ryan Austin, Sion Bradley, Daniel Gosset (68’ Ben Maher), Darren Thomas (Captain) (84’ Robert Hughes), Marc Williams, Ben Wynne, Zack Clarke, Louis Lloyd (88’ Josef Faux), Phillip Mooney.
Substitutes not used: Ryan Woods, Harry Hughes, Huw Morris.
 
Referee: Alex McInch.
Assistants: James Sheils & Matthew Johnson.
Fourth Official: Jordan Harman.
Referee Observer:  Mark Whitby.