PHOTO:
Luke Borrelli presses forward for the Bluebirds against Newtown
Nicky Palmer surges forward for Haverfordwest County
Picture by Matthew Kelly of rawphotography.me.uk
Haverfordwest County 0 - Newtown 1
James Oswell’s late header secured a smash and grab victory for highly-placed Newtown at the expense of unlucky Haverfordwest County at the Conygar Bridge Meadow.
This result has moved Newtown up to third in the table while Haverfordwest County are bottom on goal difference.
Any neutral fan watching this clash, could have been forgiven for thinking that the Bluebirds were the team sitting in the top half of the table, as they looked far more dangerous and adventurous in attack than their mid Wales opponents.
Penalty saved
Haverfordwest County were presented with an early chance to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty in the third minute for handball. Luke Borrelli took responsibility and struck his effort firmly but it was at the right height for goalkeeper David Jones to comfortably save.
In the tenth minute the Bluebirds went close, with Borrelli at the heart of the attack that finished with striker Jack Christopher blazing a right foot shot well over the crossbar.
Newtown keeper David Jones then produced a good save at full stretch to deny Kieran Howard with a vicious shot from distance.
The visitors nearly scored right on the stroke of half time when Neil Mitchell dragged his shot just wide – their only real goal scoring opportunity in the first period.
The home side started the second half brightly with midfielders Declan Carroll and Nicky Palmer both striking shots wide from outside the box as the visitors' defence sat deep.
Dangerous counter attack
But as the second half wore on the visitors were increasingly looking dangerous on the counter attack.
Bluebirds introduced substitutes Steffan Williams and John Roberts for Borrelli and Christopher respectively in the last quarter as they sought that vital goal they deserved.
Roberts looked sharp and was causing problems and Williams drilled one drive straight at Jones as the homesters continued to threaten to score.
But in the 86th minute the visitors snatched a cruel winner, as Oswell headed in a cross at the far post to pinch the three points, and cruelly left the Bluebirds with absolutely nothing to show for their workmanlike efforts.
Haverfordwest County: Scott James; Ricky Watts; Spencer Williams; Sean Pemberton; Sam Rodon; Nicky Palmer; Kieran Howard; Greg Walters; Declan Carroll; Jack Christopher; Luke Borrelli. Substitutes: Steffan Williams; Jordan Follows; John Roberts; Glen Fiteni.
Newtown: David Jones; Craig Williams; Kieran Mills; Tom Goodwin; Jack Steven Hughes; Matthew Cook; Jamie Price; Matty Owen; Luke Boundford; Jason Oswell; Neil Mitchell. Substitutes: Marc Griffiths; Gavin Cadwallader; Craig Harris; Steffan Edwards; Jack Perry.
Referee: David Morgan.
Assistants: Dan Pearce & Phil Thomas.
Fourth Official: Kris Hames.
