PHOTOS:
Jordan Follows blasts home the equaliser despite the attentions from Lloyd Jenkins
Ricky Watts presses forward
Haverfordwest County 2 – Taffs Well 1
Jordan Follows’ superb brace in the second half gave Haverfordwest County a slender victory against Taffs Well at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
The Bluebirds have gone a point clear at the top of the table following this win, Monmouth Town are hot on their heels in second position after crushing Aberdare Town 8-1.
The visitors led 1-0 at half time with striker Sam Small capitalising on a mistake at in defence. It was no more than what The Wellmen deserved as the Bluebirds outfit looked lethargic.
The goal stemmed from a poor back pass by right back Ricky Watts and Small read the situation perfectly as he claimed the ball and slotted through keeper Craig Morris’ legs for the opener.
Walters’s impact
Midway through the second period and County manager Wayne Jones substituted debutant central midfielder Lewis Holder with Greg Walters, and it worked a treat as Walters gave the home outfit more pace and urgency in the heart of midfield as they began to get on top.
Darren Griffiths flashed a shot across the face of goal and Declan Carroll struck a 20-yard shot straight at keeper Rob Bloor, also Sam Rodon fired a close range volley over the crossbar as the Bluebirds pressurised for an equaliser.
Finally The Wellman cracked as The Bluebirds equalised in the 72nd minute with a brilliant strike from Follows, Watts did well down the right wing and his cut-back pass from the by-line found the unmarked striker, who wasted no time in hammering his right footed shot into the roof of the net.
Double strike
Five minutes later and Follows added his second goal of the game - that gave his side the lead that they never surrendered despite livewire Small firing a low drive inches wide. Nicky Palmer provided the assist for the second goal as Follows drilled his powerful shot into the bottom corner. The striker has really come alive since his move from Carmarthen Town this season, all he requires is the service inside the box, which he definitely didn’t get in the first period, but he has proved potent in front of goal in this campaign so far.
"I was pleased that we came from behind to win this game,” said Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones. “It was a poor first half display, but once Greg Walters and Liam Fawcett came on they changed the course of the game.
Next Saturday, 20th September, Haverfordwest County are away at second from bottom Pontardawe Town.
Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris; Ricky Watts; Antonio Facciuto; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Jack Britton; Nicky Palmer; Declan Carroll; Lewis Holder; Jordan Follows; Darren Griffiths. Substitutes: Greg Walters; Liam Fawcett; Sam Wilson; Dan Evans; Elliot Thomas.
Taffs Well: Rob Bloor; Robbie Thomas; Luke Llewellyn; Rickie Hodge (Captain); Lloyd Jenkins; Darren Bennett; Rico Zulkarnain; Luke Cooper; Sam Small; Clayton Greene; Dale Raven. Substitutes: Sean McCarthy; Liam Williams; Joe Evans; Josh Bell; Jordan Bell.
Referee: Teifion Cook.
Assistants: S. R. Jones & M. Hughes.
