Aberystwyth Town 2-1 Haverfordwest County: Lee Jenkins boosts Aberystwyth’s survival hopes with late winner

Aberystwyth Town left it late again as they claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Haverfordwest County at Park Avenue.

Lee Jenkins scored in the last action of the game to secure a fourth point in two games for Gavin Allen’s side as they move out of the relegation zone with their winner into tenth place.

Jamie Reed gave Aberystwyth the lead in the second-half before his strike was cancelled out by Ben Fawcett, however Aber, who rescued a point at the death on Saturday, continued their good form by defeating the play-off chasing Bluebirds.

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The visitors were on top for the first ten minutes but were unable to turn their pressure into clear goalscoring opportunities.

They saw their calls for a penalty turned down in the early stages of a match for a tackle just inside their box.

The first shot at goal fell to Aberystwyth, Marc Williams sending a volley from the edge of the box clearly wide of the goal.

That chance marked a shift in the game with Seasiders asserting pressure and looking the most likely to open the scoring.

Their best chances win the first half fell to Williams who sent two shots narrowly past the post.

Jamie Reed also looked dangerous over the top but couldn’t time his runs in-behind the defence correctly and was caught offside too often.

The Bluebirds struggled to create in the first half, failing to get out of their own half leaving Danny Williams isolated up front.

Aber’s pressure continued into the second half and they opened the scoring just before the hour mark. Jamie Reed scored his first goal since returning to the club when he sent a fantastic left footed volley into the top left corner.

Minutes later Haverfordwests’ star signing Jazz Richards entered the field for his Bluebirds debut as they chased an equaliser.

He received a rude awakening as within seconds he was on the receiving end of a meaty tackle from former Cardiff teammate Jamie Veale.

Reed could have got his second of the evening but he sent his header over the crossbar from close range.

The introduction of both Richards and Kieran Lewis added experience to Wayne Jones’ side which was vital in their quest for a way back into the game.

Ben Fawcett got his side level eight minutes from time, firing past Roberts into the bottom corner from a Scott Tancock knockdown to make the score 1-1.

Having drawn level rather undeservedly the Bluebirds pushed for a second in the hopes of stealing a win. The extra attacking intent left them very venerable to an Aberystwyth counter attack.

The home side were unlucky to strike the crossbar in the dying embers of the match as Wojciech Gadja turned a header onto the woodwork and out for a corner.

However, the resulting cross found Louis Bradford who’s header was cleared off the line, Jenkins reacted quickest and nodded the rebound into an empty net.

There was some confusion about who had scored the goal, Bradford header looked as though it had crossed the line before Jenkins made sure of it and headed in to secured a well deserved win. 

Jones’ will be disappointed that his side were unable to control the game in the way the league table would suggest. 

The late goal capped off a brilliant performance from Aberystwyth which they can build on as they hope to steer clear of relegation. 

Aberystwyth Town: Connor Roberts, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Harry Franklin (Owain Jones, 63), Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale (Steven Hewitt), John Owen, Marc Williams (c), Jack Thorn, Jamie Reed, Jack Rimmer

Yellow Cards: Mathew Jones 41′, Jack Thorn 86′

Goals: Jamie Reed 54′, Lee Jenkins 94′

Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Dan Summerfield, Trystan Jones (Sean Pemberton, 77), Alaric Jones, Scott Tancock, Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett, Marcus Griffiths (Kieran Lewis, 65), Kurtis Rees (Jazz Richards, 56), Danny Williams

Yellow Cards: Ricky Watts 23′

Goals: Ben Fawcett 81′

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)