JD Cymru Premier

 




 

Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 - Haverfordwest County 2

 
Haverfordwest County put in a tremendous shift to beat second in the table Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Essity Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
Earlier in the season the ten-man Bluebirds lost 3-1 at home against the Nomads, but this time around the gained sweet revenge with a slender win against the Nomads.
 
Bluebirds’ manager Tony Pennock made four changes from Welsh Cup win at home against Ammanford. Ricky Watts came into the line-up as skipper, Ben Fawcett, plus a first start for 19-year-old academy product Jacob Owen, also Kai Whitmore returned on the bench.
 
The visitors took the lead through Luke Tabone, the Nomads hit back through an edge of the box strike by Ryan Harrington, mix-up in defence allowed Ben Fawcett to capitalise and he gave his side a slender 2-1 cushion at the break.
 
All the goals were scored in a highly entertaining first half, Martell Taylor-Crossdale struck a vicious 25 yard shot that flew wide, at the other end keeper Zac Jones pushed an awkward shot by Josh Williams behind for a corner.
 
Kai Edwards headed over the crossbar from inside the box, the visitors broke the deadlock in the 22^nd minute a long free kick is met by Lee Jenkins header which Andy Firth parried only for Tabone to apply the scoring touch from close range.
 
However, the Nomads equalised in the 31^st minute from a corner which Rayn Harrington drilled in a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box through a crowded  area.
 
In the second half Tony Pennock’s men remained solid and didn’t really suffer any further scares in front of goal as they held out for a thoroughly deserved win on the road which has kept them in eighth spot in the table.
 
But within a minute the visitors regained the lead following a mistake by keeper Firth who lost possession outside his area, lively Fawcett nipped in beat a defender and the keeper before scoring from outside the box into an empty net.
 
Keeper Jones pulled off another fine save to deny Josh Williams as the visitors held onto a narrow 2-1 lead At half time.
 
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Andy Firth, John Disney (Captain), Ryan Harrington (92’ Noah Sumner), Callum Morris (90’ Michael Wilde), Jordan Davies, Noah Davies, Ben Nash, Jack Kenny (80’ Aron Williams), Declan Poole, Josh Williams (80’ Jack Burman), Kai Edwards.
Unused substitutes: Jonathan Ruston, Daniel Roberts, Jordan Pownall.
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Ricky Watts (Captain), Luke Tabone, Lee Jenkins, Oscar Borg, Harri John (80’ Kai Whitmore), Martell Taylor-Crossdale (80’ Rio Dyer), Kayden Williams-Lowe, Ben Fawcett (71’ Aidan MacNamara), Daniel Hawkins, Jacob Owen.
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Iori Humphreys.
 
Referee: Alex McInch.