JD Cymru Premier - Phase 1

 

Haverfordwest County 0 – Penybont 1

 

Ten-man Penybont narrowly defeated Haverfordwest County on the opening night of the season as they somehow picked up three points in front of a good crowd at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Friday.
 
Tony Pennock’s men had much the better of the game up until the hour mark when up popped Mael Davies inside the bo to strike a crucial second half winner. The visitors had James Crole sent off on 50 minutes for a straight red card offence after  he earlier was issued a yellow card  - for his dangerous challenge on Alaric Jones.
 
Games between these two top teams are always close, and this clash proved no different, but the hosts will feel bitterly disappointed with the final outcome. Haverfordwest County created plenty of decent changes, but at this level you have to take them – and they didn’t as Bont keeper, Luke Armstrong made two stunning point blank saves from Fawcett, the first right on half time as he blocled a header through pure reflex.
 
The Bluebirds had created an early chance as Ben Fawcett lobbed Bont keeper Luke Armstrong in the first two minutes but the ball cleared the crossbar.
 
Ben Ahmun found some space inside the box, but the striker’s shot from the edge of the area flew over the bar.
 
Bont’s Clayton Green was issued the first yellow card of the evening for clattering midfielder Greg Walters.
 
Rhys Abbruzzese’s cross found Ahmun, but the striker’s first-time effort went wide, as the linesman raised his flag.
 
James Crole broke down the wing before he cut inside before his rising shot from the edge of the 18 yard box didn’t trouble Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Luc Rees, who was making his first start for the Bluebirds. 

Five minutes after the break the visitors went down to ten-man as Crole recived his marching orders.
 
Just before half time Fawcett headed home from a corner, but his close range effort was disallowed due to a foul in the build-up as it remained goalless at half time.
 
On the hour mark the hosts went close as Corey Shephard found Fawcett who reacted quickest in the box as his low shot was blocked by Bont goalkeeper Luke Armstrong.
 
Minutes later the visitors break the deadlock as the Bluebirds’ defence failed to clear as the alert Mael Davies made no mistake from close range.
 
Ahmun latched onto a long ball up field but as he pulled the trigger his goal-bound effort was blocked.
 
At the other end a loose ball from a corner fell to the feet of Mark Little, the Bont defender flashed his close range shot wide.
 
Substitute Owain Jones was denied inside the box and from the resulting corner Ahmun headed over the crossbar, as the hosts tried to get back on level terms.
 
Clayton Green struck a wicked 25 yarder which flew past Rees’s right hand post, at the other end with four minutes left Dan Hawkins’ teasing cross was met by an unmarked Walters who agonisingly headed over the bar.
 
Haverfordwest County: Luc Rees, Iori Humphreys (84’ Luc Owen), Ricky Watts (63’ Owain Jones), Dylan Rees (Captain), Alaric Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Greg Walters, Corey Shephard, Dan Hawkins, Ben Fawcett, Ben Ahmun.
Unused substitutes: Ifan Knott, Will Hughes, Dylan McGuire, Hari Thomas, Sammie Vaughan-Harries.
 
Penybont: Luke Armstrong, Kane Owen (Captain), Gabriel Kircough, Mael Davies, Nathan Wood, James Crole, Ashley Baker (84’ Billy Borge), Clayton Green, Mark Little (76’ Joe Woodiwiss), Alexander Cvetkovic.
Unused substitutes: Peter Coe, Chris Venables, Ioan Phillips, J. Jones, A. Matthews.
 
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones.
 
Assistants: Johnathon Bebee-Bryant & Thomas Connor.
 
Fourth Official: Ieuan Lewis.