Haverfordwest County claimed their first league win of the season as an Alhagi Touray Sisay brace defeated Flint Town United 2-0.
An incident-packed encounter at the Ogi Bridge Meadow saw Haverfordwest County win their first game of the season 2-0, as Touray Sissay opened his account for the home Club with a brace.
The visitors Ben Nash and skipper Alex Jones were dismissed in the second half and their goalkeeper Ryan Wood was carried off after a lengthy delay following a mid-air collision with the man of the match Sissay.
The games opening goal on fifteen minutes from Sissay came from a free header from six yards following a Henry Jones corner, from the outset Sissay was a towering figure, combining twice in the first half hour with Ben Fawcett, one drawing a save from Ryan Wood in goal for Flint which was the pre cursor for the dead ball situation which led to the goal.
Kieran Lewis was a dynamo for the home midfield, his endless running meant he was on the line with his challenges, the wrath of referee Huw Jones not incurred even when he and opposite number Alex Jones exchanged verbal pleasantries, nose to nose midway through the opening half.
Sissay had an outstanding game leading the frontline for Haverfordwest, giving centre half’s Ben Maher and Ben Nash a torrid time as they were unable to get close as he kept the ball like a magnet, his strength nearly rewarded on the half hour as he created space and drew a scrambling save from Wood.
Fawcett was also kindling in the Sissay fire, running off the ball and at Hart down the right flank, his final ball deserving of more blue shirts in the goal mouth to finish his selfless work off.
Ricky Watts, at the heart of the home defence looked a much fitter version to the opening games of this campaign and his work ensured the threat of Jack Kenny and Conor Harwood were nullified, the long throw of Jake Phillips an attacking option well defended by Kyle Patten, Dylan Rees and Alaric Jones, the later looking more assured with every game he plays.
Wojeic Gadja had his best game in goal for the home side since arriving last season, his command of his penalty area, coupled with his distribution a marked improvement on his first campaign, the Polish stopper giving his side confidence as the last line of defence as he pushed Sissay for the 112 First Aid man of the match acolode.
Nash was a fulcrum for the visitors, coming more into the game as he cleared his lines with headers, the same head a target for the Phillips bombardments and as the second half began he epitomised manager Neil Gibson’s desire to see a more positive approach, Gadja again equal to the early pressure, centre half Cai Edwards a calming influence on the Silkmans play with his distribution and positioning, whilst also being an aerial threat in their offensive play alongside Nash.
The first red card was a the catalyst to ignite the blue touch paper, Nash can have no complaints for his dismissal following a tackle which endangered his opponent, leaving a foot in on home skipper Dylan Rees, Gadja almost immediately saving from Kenny minutes after the red card incident, Harwood almost wriggling free an at the other end Edwards and Harrison tighter on their eighteen yard box to prevent Sissay influencing the game.
Flint dominated for a twenty minute period, until a high octave clash in mid air saw goalkeeper Ryan Wood carried off and Sissay hobble around after lengthy on pitch treatment. No sooner had Jon Rushton replaced Wood in goal, Sissay was upended by Alex Jones who received his marching orders for a second yellow card from Llanadear referee Huw Jones, the skipper then involved in a fracas behind the goal at the Castle end of the ground, which may have further implications, as he trudged forlornly for an early shower.
Manager Neil Gibson also received a yellow card for his commentary on the Sissay challenge minutes earlier, Tom Weir replaced Harwood for Flint, Danny Williams on for Henry Jones for the Bluebirds, before Sissay rammed in his second from five yards after Jack Wilson, who was back to his best in the second half, weaved to the by line and setup the Spanish striker beautifully, to power in his and the teams second goal of the day
Sissay was denied the opportunity for a hat trick after a yellow card saw his withdrawal by manager Wayne Jones on 84 minutes for Mason Jones-Thomas, the final chance before eight minutes of added time, was a free kick from Kieran Lewis which didn’t test Rushton in goal.
The final throes belonged to the home side as Wilson and Jones-Thomas had space to run at the defenders, their menace on the ball not rewarded with further goals, having only the impact to quash the dulcet tones of the visiting Town Crier.
Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Ricky Watts, Ben Fawcett, Touray Sisay (Mason Jones-Thomas), Jack Wilson, Alaric Jones, Dylan Rees (c), Kyle Patten(Elliot Scotcher), Henry Jones (Danny Williams), Kurtis Rees.
Substitutes not used:
Josh Le- Grice (Gk)
Flint Town United: Ryan Wood (Jon Rushton), Jake Phillips, Sam Hart, Ben Maher, Ben Nash, Kai Edwards, Jack a Kenny, Alex Jones (c), Callum Bratley, Conor Harwood (Tom Weir), Danny Harrison.
Substitutes not used:
Dan Roberts, Ross Weaver, Ollie Nugent.
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