Second half goals sink The Bluebirds
JD Cymru Premier
Haverfordwest County 0 - Cardiff Met University 2
It’s now one win in seven for Haverfordwest County after two second half goals proved enough for Cardiff Met University to take the three points at The Meadow,
writes Fraser Watson.
The clash was nothing like the one sided massacre which saw the students batter the Bluebirds 6-1 earlier this month, but a strike from Eliot Evans and an own goal from Cameron Keetch ultimately settled matters.
No goals in a feisty first 45
The opening stages had plenty in the way of intensity, but little in the way of clear chances.
A Jack Wilson free kick caused momentary panic in the Met area and at the other end, both Christopher Baker and Evans had efforts which were too close to Wojciech Gajda to trouble the home keeper.
In the meantime, challenges flew in as Thomas Price went into the book for The Met after catching Keetch with a high foot, and for the Bluebirds both Wilson and Ben Fawcett saw yellow for catching Bradley Woolridge and Emlyn Lewis respectively.
But after the pace settled down, both sides fashioned a good opening before the break.
The home side’s best move off the half saw Kieran Lewis send Keetch free down the left, and his low cross looked destined to be turned in by Fawcett but Met keeper Alex Lang denied him from point blank range.
As always, the long throws of Matthew Chubb were a feature of the Met attacks and it was from this platform that the ball fell to Price in the area, but Gajda was quickly out to narrow the angle and smother his shot.
Keetch comes close before students strike
The early minutes of the second half mirrored the frantic opening of the first, and it was the Bluebirds who threatened first when Keetch hammered a 20 yard shot which Lang did brilliantly to push around the post.
From the subsequent corner, Keetch was again the instigator as his in-swinging corner was flicked narrowly wide by Dan Summerfield.
But then just before the hour mark, it was further pressing from the hosts that led to the sucker punch.
A swift counter from the Met culminated in Chubb squaring a pass to the unmarked Evans, who took a touch before slotting in from 10 yards.
And 10 minutes later it was 0-2, as an Evans corner was diverted into his own net by Keetch.
Wayne Jones, who had earlier been forced to replace the injured Lewis with Marcus Griffiths, sent on Alaric Jones and Scott Tancock in attempt to turn the tide but in truth, the visitors were comfortable late on as they saw out the closing stages.
The result leaves Haverfordwest eighth, now three points off Newton following their win over Flint Town United – and it’s the latter who Jones and co travel to on Saturday with the hope of arresting their current slump in form.
Jones bemoans a “lack of concentration”
The Haverfordwest boss pulled no punches post-match when asked why things had unravelled after an even first half.
“It was a lack of concentration again. Ill-disciplined. We were hit on the counter attack where players are delegated certain positions but were just doing what they wanted to out there – and we paid the price.
“They hit us on the counter and it was a well taken goal. But to leave ourselves four-on-one at the back wasn’t acceptable.”
Despite a run of just four points from 21, Jones insisted the target was still to finish top of the lower conference.
“The reality is we primarily want to win our ‘B’ League. I said it after the split and that hasn’t changed.
“I can accept injuries and suspensions has taken its toll but that’s the same for every team. But the manner in which we’re conceding goals at the moment is the worry for me.
“But going forward, we have to use the five remaining games now as experience for boys who will be here next season and hopefully we can see good outcomes from them.”
Jones also said he hoped to have Elliot Scotcher, Danny Williams, and Jazz Richards all back in the fray to go to Flint this weekend.
Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Daniel Summerfield (Scott Tancock 83), Trystan Jones, Sean Pemberton (capt) (Alaric Jones 78), Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett, Cameron Keetch, Jack Wilson, Kurtis Rees, Kieran Lewis (Marcus Griffiths 53).
Subs not used: Josh Legrice, Scott Tancock, Nicky Palmer, Dan James.
Cardiff Met University: Alex Lang, Dylan Rees, Kyle McCarthy, Bradley Wooldridge (capt), Emlyn Lewis, Eliot Evans, Christopher Baker, Oliver Hulbert, Matthew Chubb, Thomas Price, Lewis Rees (Liam Warman 67).
Subs not used: William Fuller, Rhydian Morgan, Thomas Davies, Mathew Jones, Matthew Blake.
Referee: Benjamin Williams.