JD Cymru Premier:

 
 

Haverfordwest County 0 - Aberystwyth Town 0

 
A night of frustration for Haverfordwest County was compounded by Danny Williams' late penalty miss as Aberystwyth were able to escape the OGI Bridge Meadow with a point, writes Fraser Watson.
 
Aber were organised and resolute, but just like when they were beaten in mid-Wales 10 days previously, the Bluebirds were left ruing their failure to convert possession and chances into goals.
 
And the defining moment came with 16 minutes left after home sub Touray Sisay had made an instant impact, bundled over by Lee Jenkins as he went through on goal - but Williams saw his spot kick pushed away by keeper Alex Pennock.
 

Aber stay firm against the elements

 
The sense of anticipation for a critical night was evident pre-kick off by a sizable home crowd, although the away following were also vociferous as the hosts kicked off with a strong wind behind them.
 
The onus was more on Haverfordwest to attack given the five-point gap between the sides, and sure enough, they made much of the early running as Ben Fawcett and Ryan George both fired narrowly off target from long range.
 
Indeed, the majority of shots were coming from outside of Pennock's penalty area, although the keeper was relieved midway through the half as Kieran Lewis unleashed a stinging 20-yard effort which flicked the top of the bar.
 
Home stopper Lee Idzi had to back pedal to gather an awkward Matthew Jones cross but on the stroke of half time the Bluebirds went close when right-back George beat Rhys Davies, before delivering a low cross that Williams couldn't connect with.



 

Lewis leathers the bar again before Pennock denies Williams

 
The theme continued at the start of the second half after Elliot Scotcher's free kick from out wide made its way to Lewis on the edge of the area, and again he was denied by the woodwork as his effort bounced back off the underside of the bar.
 
At the other end Harry Franklin headed off target from 12 yards out and you sensed home frustrations growing as Dylan Rees and then Corey Shephard were both booked for rash tackles.
 
The introduction of Sisay reaped instant reward though as he was taken down by Jenkins, but although Williams powerfully fired the penalty to Pennock's right the keeper was able to get both hands to it and make a crucial save. 
 
Almost inevitably, Aber then threatened a sucker punch as time ran out, Scotcher's well-timed tackle denying Jamie Veale and after Jordan Davies fired wastefully over from close range for the hosts - Aber sub David Evans came close to winning it when his powerful shot was pushed away by Idzi.
 
Barry Town United's draw with Penybont means the Bluebirds remain four points from safety, and a large crowd left the Meadow sensing an opportunity missed, with the clash with bottom club Cefn Druids on February 26 now taking on extra importance.
 

Richards' regret at missed chances:

 
Afterwards, Haverfordwest coach Gary Richards told Pembrokeshire Sport: "We've had good possession, good territory, and created good chances.
 
"The boys are really disappointed, they know it's just making sure that when the performance is good, and we get into good areas, then we get the rewards - which we haven't tonight.
 
"But we need to take positives. We've kept a clean sheet, we've created opportunities, but listen, when you get chances like that you've got to make sure you take one or two."
 
Aber keeper Pennock meanwhile, admitted he'd decided which side he was going before Williams even shaped to take the penalty.
 
"I made my mind up pretty early, my strongest side is to go to my right," he said.
 
"It was a nice height, he hit it hard, which probably helped as it meant I was able to push it away from goal."

Before kick off both teams observed a minute's silence for legend Mostyn Rowlands, the defender who played more than 400 times for the Bluebirds.
 
 
Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Ryan George, Elliot Scotcher, Kyle Patten, Dylan Rees (capt), Corey Shephard (Kurtis Rees 80), Kieran Lewis, Jack Wilson, Danny Williams, Ben Fawcett (Touray Sisay 72), Jordan Davies.
 
Subs not used: Wojciech Gajda, Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts, Iori Humphreys, Lucas Davies.
 
Aberystwyth Town: Alex Pennock, Jack Rimmer, Rhys Davies, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Jack Thom (capt), Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, John Owen (David Evans 78), Harry Franklin, Sam Phillips (Ben Wynne 72).
 
Subs not used: Thomas Owen, Owain Jones, Owen Orford, Cameron Allen, Jamie Jones.
 
Referee: Huw Jones.