Penybont close gap at top with crucial win at Haverfordwest County
JD Welsh Premier – Phase 2 Playoff Conference
Haverfordwest County 0 – Penybont 1
Lewys Ware’s early strike was enough to earn Penybont victory against Haverfordwest County on a bitterly cold evening under lights at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Incredibly Haverfordwest County are still top of the Phase 2 Playoff Conference and haven’t won a game since the split, but Penybont (despite being deducted six points) are just one point behind the Bluebirds with three games of the season left to play.
Haverfordwest County made two changes from the team that drew 1-1 in Colwyn Bay. Ricky Watts named skipper and Daniel Hawkins return to the starting-line up also Harri John returns on the bench after his Welsh Schools heroics.
Penybont have also made two changes to last week’s team as Billy Borge and Keyon Reffell return to the starting line-up.
The hosts settled quickly when a free kick over the top found Rio Dyer, but his low shot is saved by Adam Przybek.
Minutes later the visitors took the lead with a terrific well worked move which started with a throw-in deep in their own half, Lewis Harling broke into the Bluebirds half, fed Eliot Richards who threaded a neat through ball to Keyon Reffell his audacious back heel fell to invitingly to Ware who struck a first time left footed effort into the back of the net.
Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Zac Jones produced a good save to deny Bont’s goal scorer Ware from getting another one.
Gabriel Kircough tried his luck from the edge of the area, but it didn’t trouble Jones, as the score read 1-0 to Penybont at half time.
Tony Pennock made a double substitution at the break, on came Jack Wilson and Martell Crossdale-Taylor for Rio Dyer and Ben Fawcett respectively.
On 69 minutes, Tony Pennock made another double substitution as Kai Whitmore and Oscar Borg replaced Watts and Aidan MacNamara.
Late in the tussle Crossdale- Taylor dragged his shot wide from the edge of the area as Penybont stayed firm for the remainder as they secured an important three points.
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Jazz Richards, Rhys Abbruzzese, Ricky Watts (Captain)
(Kai Whitmore 69’), Ben Fawcett
(Martell Taylor- Crossdale 46’), Daniel Hawkins, Lee Jenkins, Rio Dyer
(Jack Wilson 46’), Aidan MacNamara
(Oscar Borg 69’), Luke Tabone, Corey Shephard.
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Harri John, Iori Humphreys.
Penybont: Adam Przybek, Kane Owen (Captain), Daniel Jefferies, Mael Davies, Lewis Harling, Eliot Richards
(Daniel Griffiths 90’), Lewys Ware, Billy Borge, Gabriel Kircough, Ryan Reynolds
(Jonathan Brown 37’), Keyon Reffell.
Unused substitutes: Alexander Harris, Blazej Krezolek, Ioan Phillips, Henry Jones, Rhys Griffiths.
Referee: Rob Jenkins.
Assistants: Johnathon Bebee-Bryant & Peter Sheils.
Fourth Official: Bryn Markham-Jones.
Referee Observer: John Davies.