PHOTO:
Tim Hicks scored and hit the post in the Bluebirds’ disappointing defeat at new league leaders Monmouth Town
Welsh League Division One
Monmouth Town 3 - Haverfordwest County 1
Monmouth Town have taken a giant step towards the title after overcoming rivals Haverfordwest County at home and go two points clear at the top of the table with two games in hand.
The Kingfishers came from behind to win thanks to two goals from Corey Jenkins, a 20 year old striker who is on loan from Carmarthen Town; Dan MacDonald scored the equaliser after Tim Hicks gave the Bluebirds the lead.
Unlucky
Luke Borelli was unlucky not to score early on but his low drive was saved by goalkeeper Matthew Johns. However, the visitors did take the lead when a cross was met by a Borelli header across the face of goal for a simple finish by Hicks from close range.
But the Kingfishers levelled matters when poor defending by the visitors was punished when MacDonald drilled in from eight yards as the score stood at 1-1 at half time.
Shortly after the break and the visitors got on top as they had the Kingfishers on the back foot and should have taken the lead as Hicks’ low drive rebounded off the foot of the post.
Jenkins strikes
But the homesters pressed forward and were rewarded when Jenkins struck for his side’s second and worse followed, as the Bluebirds played only three at the back and got caught again on the counter with Jenkins slotted home past the stranded Craig Morris.
This was a poor result for the Bluebirds and manager Wayne Jones felt he should take responsibility for the defeat. “The players worked their socks off tonight. I made the changes and I hold my hands up, tactically I got it wrong, which in hindsight I think cost us,” said gaffer Jones.
Haverfordwest County’s next game is on Saturday, 12th April away to Tata Steel.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris, Ricky Watts, Antonio Facuitto, Sam Rodon, Dale Griffiths (Captain), Sean Pemberton, Chris O’Sullivan, Luke Borelli, Declan Carroll, Tim Hicks, Ritchie Lewis. Substitutes: Jack Britton, Steffan Williams, Ben Steele.