Key talking points as Haverfordwest County edge out Cardiff Met in close-fought encounter
Haverfordwest, Wales, UK. 16th Dec, 2020. Barry Town United v Haverfordwest County at Bridge Meadow Stadium in the JD Cymru Premier on the 16th December 2020 Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
The result matters
Haverfordwest County got the all important goal in their home game against Cardiff Met, the three points lifting them into the top six and the prospect of playing in the Championship phase of fixtures next month. Manager Wayne Jones side are four points off fourth place but more importantly eleven points clear of the relegation zone. It was always his belief that finishing tenth on his sides return to the Cymru Premier mattered; those goal posts may now have shifted.
Football is a 90 minute game
Christian Edwards may reflect on a poor first half performance, where his Cardiff Met side surrendered territory and possession, allowing home strikers Ben Fawcett and Cardiff City loanee Danny Williams to cause problems throughout a half the Bluebirds dominated. It was Williams pace and close control which drew the foul for the frontman to step up and score his tenth goal of the season, but in the context of this game and perhaps the season, the one which clinched three points.
Astute changes at half time did see the Met control the game much better in the second half but they weren’t able to find the back of Wojciech Gadjah’s net. Scoring goals has been a problem for the Archers all season, with just fourteen, the lowest in the league and if they don’t play for ninety minutes, they are going to find it difficult to pick points up in tight games.
Was the enforced winter break a success
No-one in football wanted the enforced break, but it may allow those sides with aspirations of European football the opportunity to progress beyond the qualifying stages, which will begin within weeks of the Cymru Premier season ending. Wales lose a European place after this season, meaning there will be just three available and with TNS, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town setting the standard it could be an incentive for Clubs to make the most of it now. As players regain their match sharpness on pitches which will benefit from spring and early summer sunshine, the clamour for a change from the traditional season, may gather momentum.
Cymru Premier football has an attraction
Jazz Richards arrival at the Bridge Meadow is a real coup for the league as the fourteen times capped Welsh international brings pedigree and prestige to the footballing product. He could make a debut at Aberystwyth Town on Tuesday night for the Pembrokeshire side either at full back or in midfield, the experience of Premier League football, European club football and four appearances in the Wales 2016 European Championship run to the semi finals, is invaluable. Haverfordwest and the Cymru Premier will hope he has put the injuries which have impacted on his professional career behind him to spend time on the pitch.
Referees in Wales give a good message
Dean John, in his sixteenth year as a referee at the highest level belied his fifty plus years as he manoeuvred his way around the Bridge Meadow like a well-oiled classic car. John was calm and clear in his game management, his experience of international football and two Welsh cup finals. He contributed to the game with an understanding which let the game flow; that comes most definitely through experience and FAW referees manager Phil Thomas will know if he can keep the engine firing, he has a classic car to roll out for years to come.
