Haverfordwest County 2-0 Ammanford: Hicks and Wilson keep pressure on Swansea
Haverfordwest County kept on the toes of Cymru South leaders Swansea University by beating Ammanford 2-0 at the Bridge Meadow.
A brilliant 30-yard strike from Jack Wilson was the pick of the bunch as he added to Tim Hick’s second-half opener.
An improved second half performance saw veteran assistant manager Tim Hicks open the scoring with a close range header before a Jack Wilson wonder strike sealed victory which keeps the Bluebirds in the title race ahead of their crunch encounter at Sketty Lane against Swansea University on Saturday (Feb 29).
Credit should go to home manager Wayne Jones who revitalised his side with half time changes, Hicks at centre half allowing captain Ricky watts to add some guile and tenacity to the midfield area, alongside the equally venerable Nicky Palmer who became the fulcrum from which the home side could play off.
A dire first half when both sides had difficulty adapting to a driving wind is best confined to the annals of history. The visitors would have been happier as they had the elements to support their play in the second half.
Matthew Fisher in the centre of midfield and Tristan Jenkins both contributed well, the visitors hampered through injury to talisman Lee Trundle and suspension, which saw key players Craig Frater, Richie Lewis and former Swansea midfielder Andy Robinson sidelined.
A further six players were recipients of yellow cards from Swansea based referee David Morgan, three for dissent which epitomised the frustrations within their ranks as they had opportunities and periods of sustained pressure which could have borne fruit on another occasion.
Manager Gruff Harrison would have been please also with the return of Euros Griffiths in the centre of defence and late in the game Cerith Williams appearance from the bench after eighteen months out with injury.
Jack Wilson’s goal will be long remembered by the home faithful as he cut inside from his right wing berth from a Ben Fawcett pass, left visiting skipper Rhys Fisher trailing before unleashing a thirty yard left foot strike which dipped over visiting custodian Craig Morris in nestle in the bottom corner.
It rightly acclaimed him as the man of the match ahead of Watts, Hicks and centre half Scott Tannock, who didn’t put a foot wrong in the difficult conditions.
Ammanford also return to action on Tuesday night when Pontypridd Town will be the visitors at the Recreation ground with Afan Lido arriving on Saturday (Feb 29).
The Bluebirds now look ahead to Tuesday’s game-in-hand as they travel East to face Taffs Well who are involved in a relegation battle.
See how Haverfordwest County won here:
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell and Valleysboys Photography)
