JD Cymru Premier

 
 

Haverfordwest County 0 – The New Saints 1

 
Jordan Williams scored just before half time to earn full professional outfit The New Saints a hard-fought victory over Haverfordwest County at the Ogi Bridge Meadow, writes Gordon Thomas
 
In the 44^th minute Williams, the former Stockport County player headed home at a corner, which gave his side the crucial three points.
 
Wayne Jones’ Bluebirds slipped to their second defeat from three starts, but in this clash if they had taken their chances they could have possibly drawn or at best nicked a win.
 
Earlier in week Haverfordwest County announced on their website that defenders Dan Summerfield and Scott Tancock have left the club. Summerfield has found employment in Birmingham area whilst Tancock has transferred to Carmarthen Town.

Danny boy is back

 
However, there was some good news as Cardiff City have agreed to loan Danny Williams back to Haverfordwest until January.
 
Wayne Jones gave a start to promising 22-year-old striker Alhagi Touray Sisay who has previously played for Aberystwyth Town, he scored four goals in five games, which included a hat-trick.
 
The striker proved a handful and made an impressive debut, he showed a neat touch for a big man, he nearly broke the deadlock in first half as he was clear but fired wide past keeper Paul Harrison.
 
The dangerous TNS front man Williams dragged a shot wide from inside the box. Louis Robles dribbled past a couple defenders before find Ash Baker who fired his shot over the bar from inside the box.
 
TNS’ manager Anthony Limbrick’s slick outfit continued to press as Louis Bradford headed wide a Chris Marriot free kick.
 
Danny Redmond picked up a yellow card and an injury as he was stretchered off and Andy Cieslewicz came on as a replacement.
 
Williams dragged another good chance wide for the Saints also Declan McManus chipped Idzi only to see the ball land on the roof of the net.


 

Stunning fingertips save

 
Lee Idzi, was making his 400th Welsh Premier appearance as goalkeeper pulled off a stunning fingertip save to deny Ben Clark’s rising shot from the edge of the 18-yard area. From the resultant corner Williams headed home the vital goal.
 
Shortly after the interval stand-in skipper Elliot Scotchers struck a tame direct free kick straight to Harrison.
 
A teasing cross by Henry Jones’ caused problems in defence for the Saints as Touray Sisay headed into the ground.
 
Ben Fawcett replaced Alaric Jones on the hour mark, the lively substitute showed his intent as he drilled a low drive wide.
 

Odds on to score

 
Touray Sisay beautifully played in Kiran Lewis who looked odds on to score, but Harrison came quickly off his line to deny the Bluebirds’ midfielder.
 
At the other end Saints’ skipper Chris Marriott rattled Idzi’s crossbar with a terrific edge of the area free kick.
 
Toure Sisay broke clear but was cynically taken out on the edge of the box, again the hosts failed to make the most of the free kick.
 
Idzi pulled off another stunning save from point blank range to deny substitute Ebbe, minutes later at the other end Scotcher headed straight into the grateful arms of Harrison.
 
Fawcett turned quickly inside the box but planted his effort against the post, had he scored it would not have counted as the linesman’s flag was raised.
 
But it was the Saints who held out for the win and more important three points despite a valiant effort by the Bluebirds
 

Gaffer has his say

 
Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones
 
“I felt we were the better team in the second half, and our performance deserved at least a draw.
 
“I had a look at the stats when you are averaging the possession at times against the TNS’s you are doing something right.
 
“We go to Barry Town on Tuesday night, we’ve had a lot of players playing out of position, we’ve a couple of late withdrawals over last 48 hours and we’ve had to readapt, so taking that into consideration, one or two will recover by then and fingers cross we’ll be ready to go again.”
 
 
Next up for Haverfordwest County is a trip on Tuesday, 31^st August evening up the M4 to face Barry Town at Jennar Park.
 
 
Haverfordwest County: Lee Idzi, Alaric Jones (61, Ben Fawcett), Kurtis Rees (67, Mason Thomas-Jones), Henry Jones, Kieran Lewis, Corey Shephard, Elliot Scotcher (Capt.), Jack Wilson, Kyle Pattern, Ricky Watts, Alhagi Touray Sisay.
Substitutes not used: Wojciech Gajda, Dan James.
 
The New Saints: P. Harrison, C. Marriott (Captain), J. Routledge, D. McManus, D. Redmond (33, A. Cieslewicz), B. Hudson, J. Williams (80, D. Ebbe), L. Robles, B. Clark, A. Baker (75, T. Holland), L. Bradford.
Substitutes not used: R. Parry, M. Daykin, T. Williams, R. Warder.
 
Referee: Dean John.
 
Assistants: Bryn Jones and Ashley Davis.