Saturday evenings late kick-off in the Cymru Premier saw Haverfordwest County beat The New Saints 2-1 at The Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Cameron Keetch got the winner on 74 minutes shortly after coming on as a substitute. Earlier Blaine Hudson’s header had canceled out Corey Shephard’s first-half opener.
The three points take Haverfordwest back into the division’s top 6, above Caernarfon Town on goal difference. The game was a fascinating and high-tempo contest between two very different playing styles.
With wins over Bala Town, Barry and now TNS, Haverfordwest clearly enjoy playing against the strongest sides in the Cymru Premier. When we examine their tactics, we can see this is in part due to how the look to play the game.
Formations
Haverfordwest lined up in a ‘5-2-2-1’ formation, sometimes called a ‘box midfield’, and with wingbacks often advancing higher up the pitch when in possession. This formation is similar to the system Chris Coleman used with Wales in 2016, with a back 5, 2 defensive midfielders and both Bale and Ramsey behind a central striker.
From this set up Haverfordwest looked to play counter-attacking football against TNS.
The fact Haverfordwest play in this system makes the signing of Jazz Richards (22) an even better one than you might think. The wingback position is a challenging role. It requires high fitness levels and good decision-making about where to be in the wide areas. The fact that Jazz Richard actually went to Euro 2016 with Wales to play in this wingback role, suggests he’s very comfortable and capable at it and will fit quickly into the Haverfordwest style.
One of the key men in their counter-attacking is Danny Williams(19). A player adept at all of the many roles required in a good counter attacking player. He can hold the ball up well, a trait key in receiving that first pass after Haverfordwest have recovered the ball. He also has the pace to make runs into space and has the vision to play long passes to teammates. The Haverfordwest lone striker Ben Fawcett(9) is also quick, and makes vertical runs to stretch the opposition defence, less often holding the ball up.
In the first half Haverfordwest did keep possession with short passing at times, with their back five and two defensive midfielders playing neat interchanges around the TNS press in their own half. They generally made good judgements whether to counter-attack or keep possession based on the game situation.
TNS played a version of 4-4-2, but with some important tactical points. As a side used to having a lot of the ball and attempting to break down opposition teams, it is a very attacking 4-4-2 when in possession. Both fullbacks play in an advanced role. They push on at least to the level of the midfielders and often further again when TNS have the ball in the final third.
The TNS wide attackers also push on, and often also drift inside. This happened particularly on the left, through Cieslewicz(11). After initially being fairly well marshaled by Jazz Richards out wide, he moved into central areas increasingly as the game progressed. A number of their players pose an aerial threat and they looked dangerous from corners and crosses. A simple header from a corner on 51 minutes by centreback Hudson(12) drew them level.
As TNS chased the game in the second half Haverfordwest were often pinned back by their press. Frequently clearing the ball into the TNS half if the counter-attack wasn’t on, rather than attempt to keep possession for a time as they had done in the first half.
High quality goals
In both Haverfordwest goals Williams was key.
Their first came after a short period of possession in their own half. Some neat passes among the TNS high press then became a quick and direct attack. Williams picked his moment to break forward from midfield and an excellent first-time pass from defensive midfielder Corey Shephard(8) found him. Williams almost rounded the keeper to score but was crowded out. Just as TNS looked like they had got players back to defend, Shephard followed up the attack he started and finished from 20 yards.
In the second goal, it took 13 seconds from Haverfordwest winning the ball back on the edge of their box to them scoring. Williams was released by another penetrating first-time pass from Shephard. He ran at centreback Hudson before playing it to Keetch’s overlapping run. Keetch finished with aplomb. It sealed a win where Haverfordwest created a number of good chances from their incisive play.
Looking forward
Haverfordwest’s style seems to be well suited to playing against attacking sides from the top half of the league. As these teams press forward looking to win the game Wayne Jones’ side are given space to attack into. The smart addition of Jazz Richards at right wingback will strengthen the Bluebirds further this season.
Onto next Saturday then, when Haverfordwest visit table-topping Connah’s Quay Nomads, where they might just give us another display of how to play goalscoring counter-attacking football.
(Featured Image: Matthew Kelly)
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