Cefn Druids ended their seven-game losing run with a last-minute winner over Haverfordwest County at The Rock in the JD Cymru Premier.
Charley Edge’s stoppage-time strike earned Jayson Starkey his first win as caretaker manager and the Druids their first home win since early December. Niall Flint had initially opened the scoring for the Ancients but his early goal was cancelled out by Danny Williams.
It was a fairly even affair at The Rock, with both sides enjoying spells of possession. Haverfordwest looked like they were the side that would take the lead after equalising, but Druids held on and won it on the counter-attack.
This result means that Cefn Druids still remain at the bottom of the table, but only one point behind Cardiff Met after their loss to Flint Town United today. Haverfordwest remain at the top of the Play-off Conference, six points clear of Newtown, who are second.
The Bluebirds had the first couple of chances, as Jazz Richards sent a couple of crosses into the box, but couldn’t find a team-mate.
Ben Fawcett had a chance after only eight minutes, as he headed towards goal from Kurtis Rees’ cross. His header didn’t trouble Dave Jones, who caught the ball with ease.
Druids’ opener came in the tenth minute, through a lovely team goal, rounded off by Niall Flint.
An impressive flick down the right-wing from Alex Darlington sent Naim Arsan past the defence, and his cross found Flint who made no mistake in flicking the ball past Gajda.
Penalty shouts came as Flint went to the ground after a tussle with Haverfordwest captain, Ricky Watts. The referee waved away the claims and saw no wrongdoing.
Naim Arsan tried to catch Wojciech Gajda out from distance on the half-hour mark, his speculative effort from close to the halfway line went wide of the post.
Haverfordwest came close as they struck the post on the stroke of halftime. Shephard sent a cross in towards Kieran Lewis, but Phillip Mooney intercepted and almost headed into his own net. The Druids defender struck his own post.
The Bluebirds came out strong in the second half. Fawcett had a chance after Shephard’s flick-on sent him through on goal. The forward could only hit the side netting.
Druids substitute, Harry Brazel, had a chance to double their lead. Ethan Cartwright sent a cross into the Bluebirds’ box, and Brazel met the ball with a header, but Gajda caught the ball well.
Haverfordwest responded in the 76th minute, after substitute Danny Williams fired home after a scramble in the box.
Danny Williams struck home to equalise for the visitors, as he smashed home following a scramble.
Corey Shephard almost gave the visitors the lead in the last few minutes of regulation time as his volley from the edge of the box went just over the bar.
The hosts regained the lead in the 90th minute, after a long ball for Cefn Druids opened up the Haverfordwest defence, and sent Charley Edge in on goal.
Charley Edge had the last clear chance of the game in the 90th minute, and he slotted home to secure a much-needed three points for Cefn Druids.
The substitute was one-on-one with Gajda, and made no mistake in placing the ball in the top left hand corner to secure the win
Cefn Druids: Mike Jones (GK) (C), Naim Arsan, Phillip Mooney, Simpson, Ethan Cartwright (Jacob Wise 90’), Alex Darlington (Harry Brazel 66’), Sam Phillips, Niall Flint, Iwan Cartwright, Kieran Smith, Stefan Edwards
Goals: Niall Flint 10’, Charlie Edge 90’
Yellow cards: Naim Arsan 60’
Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda (GK), Alaric Jones, Scott Tancock, Ricky Watts (C), Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett, Cameron Keetch (Daniel Summerfield 66’), Kurtis Rees (Danny Williams 56’), Elliot Scotcher, Kieran Lewis, Jazz Richards (Marcus Griffiths 66’)
Goals: Danny Williams 76’
Yellow cards: Corey Shephard 40’, Ricky Watts 50’, Daniel Summerfield 90’
Recap the action from The Rock by recapping the match as-it-happened below:
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