Haverfordwest County 1-0 Aberystwyth Town: Fawcett has Bluebirds back on winning trail
Barry, Wales, UK. 30th Sept, 2020. Ben Fawcett of Haverfordwest County celebrates scoring his sides Equaliser. Barry Town United v Haverfordwest at Jenner Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 30th September 2020. Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Haverfordwest are back to winning ways thanks to a scrappy 1-0 win against West Wales rivals Aberystwyth at Bridge Meadow.
Ben Fawcett tapped in after Danny Williams used his pace to beat multiple Seasider’s defenders down the right wing.
Neither side showed their quality in the game as the ball bounced about in the midfield with both teams putting in some strong tackles.
Aberystwyth could have equalised late on but Dan Cockerline couldn’t turn his header on goal.
The win see’s Haverfordwest extend their lead at the top of the group to nine points.
Aberystwyth have now lost two on the bounce after ending phase one strongly, going three games unbeaten.
The visitors almost took the lead in the opening minutes when Mathew Jones’ corner found the head of Marc Williams but Gajda saved well.
Both sides enjoyed spells on top in the opening 20 minutes, but neither were able to create any clear chances.
The ball bounced about in the midfield with both teams putting in some strong tackles.
Most of the hosts’ joy in the first half came down the left, with Danny Williams pacing Jack Rimmer on multiple occasions.
He linked up with Cameron Keetch for the best chance of the half, setting it back for his teammate who flashed wide.
Williams sent two inviting crosses from the right at the end of the first half, but there wasn’t a green shirt to meet the captain’s ball.
Aberystwyth were on top at the start of the second half but failed to turn their possession into chances.
They were forced to pay for that when Danny Williams showed a moment of magic to set up Ben Fawcett for the opener.
The Cardiff loanee burst down the right, beating three players before crossing into the path of Fawcett who recovered from a poor first touch to tap in the opener.
His run was the only piece of quality in the whole game as both sides struggled to retain the ball in the midfield.
After the goal, the hosts enjoyed their first prolonged period on top of the evening.
Aberystwyth lacked the quality in the final third to turn their fruitful attacks into chances with the ball running through to Gajda too often.
The visitors brought on target man Dan Cockerline from the bench as they looked to find an equaliser late on.
He could have scored with three minutes to go when Franklin whipped a perfect cross straight to his head, but he was unable to turn it past Pennock.
Aber threw everything they had at the Bluebirds late on, but they held on strong to take all three points.
Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Daniel Summerfield, Alaric Jones, Scott Tancock, Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett (Marcus Griffiths, 59), Cameron Keetch, Kurtis Rees, Elliot Scotcher, Kieron Lewis, Danny Williams (Trystan Jones, 90).
Yellow Cards: Scott Tancock 24’, Kurtis Rees 77’
Goals: Ben Fawcett 56’
Aberystwyth Town: Alexander Pennock, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Harry Franklin, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, John Owen (Dan Cockerline, 73), Marc Williams (Owain Jones, 73), Jonathan Evans, Jack Thorn, Jack Rimmer (Geoff Kellaway, 88).
Yellow Cards: Harry Franklin 63’
