Haverfordwest County 1-1 Connah’s Quay: Late Fawcett equaliser denies Harrison win
A late goal from Ben Fawcett secured a point for Haverfordwest County against Connah’s Quay at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.
The Nomads went ahead in the 33rd minute after Callum Morris had scored from the spot, but with two minutes of normal time left, Fawcett scrambled home an equaliser.
It denies Craig Harrison a win in his first match, meanwhile, for Wayne Jones’ men, they are now unbeaten in four games.
Kris Owens showed well for the visiting midfield as did Fawcett upfront for the Bluebirds, which allowed Sissay and Wilson an opportunity to entwine, the first effort of any substance coming in with the opening goal by Callum Morris from the penalty spot.
Ryan Harrington and Aaron Edwards started to dominate the play and eventually, the flurry of corners resulted in Sissay clumsily tumbling Byron Harrison over in his own box, skipper Morris nonchalantly sending Gadja the wrong way for the lead.
Neither side could lay claim to a commanding defensive performance in this play, both sides offensively lacklustre, Owens replaced by Harrison Webster on the half-hour which coincided with the deluge of rain ceasing.
Elliot Scotcher was a positive presence, his final ball and indeed a free kick on the edge of the box lacking the normal composure which frustrated the home crowd and dugout.
Wayne Jones would have wanted a stronger reaction in the second half, Scotcher driving wide from 25 yards in the early stages.
The Bluebirds were unable to command possession for long periods and when they did, it bore little fruit, Sissay unable to control the deliveries to him with any resolve.
Man of the match Ricky Watts was a plus point in the heart of the home defence, Edwards, Mendes and Jamie Insall confidently drilling their side forward for the Nomads, referee Iwan Griffith controlling matters with his shrill whistle and calm voice echoing around the stadium.
Scotcher played a raking ball just before the midway point of the second half, Wilson attacking the space and setting up Sissay whose effort was nudged wide by a deflection from Declan Poole.
The home side did enjoy more of the play, Kieran Lewis and Danny Willimas combined well down the inside right channel, the final ball eluding Fawcett whose effort could never be questioned in pursuit of his sides cause.
Haverfordwest Mason Jones-Thomas added immediate pace to the game when he replaced Williams with twenty minutes to go, the Nomads responding by bringing Jamie Mullan on for a limping Paulo Mendes three minutes later.
Wilson nearly equalised with ten minutes remaining, a fingertip save from Byrne saving his side after a peach of a through ball from Jazz Richards who had moved into a central midfield role, the save nestling on the post after the frontman drew the save before it was collected safely by a relieved Byrne.
With two minutes remaining the equaliser came for the Bluebirds, Sissay’s headers causing a scramble on the goal line and Fawcett to take the acclaim, the home manager jumping skywards in celebration, perhaps in relief but it was his decision to bring on Jones Thomas had injected the change in performance, Wilson drawing a smart save from Byrne as the Bluebirds looked the more likely to win the game once Fawcett have squared the game with his seventh goal of the campaign.
Haverfordwest County: Gadja, D. Rees (c), Patten, Scotcher, Watts, Richards, Lewis, Wilson, Williams (Jones-Thomas), Fawcett, Touray Sisay
Substitutes: Lee Idzi, K. Rees, Humphreys Mason Jones-Thomas
Connahs Quay Nomads: Byrne, Disney, Harrington, Mendes (Mullan), Morris (c), Harrison, Insall, Poole, Holmes, Owens, Edwards (Webster)
Calderbank-Park, Davies, Moore, Williams, Owen.
