Haverfordwest County suffer narrow UECL first leg defeat to B36 Torshavn
CARDIFF, WALES - 20 JULY 2023: The UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier second leg fixture between Cymru premier’s Haverfordwest County & KF Shkëndija of North Macedonia at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales. (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
Haverfordwest County suffered a 2-1 defeat to B36 Torshavn in their UEFA Europa Conference qualifier at Gundadalur.
Four-time time Faroese international Andrass Johansson opened the scoring in the first-half and then Andrass Johansen doubled the White Tigers advantage – but ex-Chelsea striker Martell Taylor-Crossdale pulled one back to give the Bluebirds a fighting chance at the Cardiff City Stadium next week.
Haverfordwest endured a difficult few opening moments with the hosts threatening from set pieces. Oscar Borg had to clear off the line after Isak Jonsson swiped a shot from an acute angle.
Taufee Skandari nearly troubled Zac Jones with his cross-hit shot from the right-flank whistling just past the post.
Torshavn’s determination eventually paid off from a few yards out after some good interplay. The move build up well with the two-versus-one overload and Agnarsson was picked out by Andrass Johansen for a finish from five yards out.
B36 got confidence from their opening goal and Haverfordwest had to settle for trying to cause issues on the counterattack. Later on in the half, goalscorer Argnasson went under the challenge from Jazz Richards in a crowded penalty box but the referee waved away the appeals. As the first half drew to a close Jann Benjaminsen sent a 20-yard free-kick just past Jones’ goal despite a foul on the goalkeeper earlier in the build-up.
Haverfordwest’s second-half preparations were impacted with chairman Rob Edwards claiming the away dressing room had been locked. The visitors had to make a substitution at the break too with Jack Wilson replacing the experienced Jazz Richards.
Torshavn rattled the crossbar as Haverfordwest escaped from going two goals behnd. Benjaminsen’s free-kick was touched on to the bar by Agnarsson after breaking free, but could not keep his shot down.
Despite a positive start to the second-half, Haverfordwest fell further behind. Nielsen latched on to a ball played over the top and was able to pick out Johnasen in space for a low close-ranged finish.
In search of a goal to build on in the second-leg, Haverfordwest managed to get a shot on target. Dan Hawkins slipped but was able to pick himself up to find Kai Whitmore, but the midfielder couldn’t hit it with enough power to trouble Mattias Lamhaughe.
Haverfordwest did get the goal they were looking for and it came from a brilliant passing move. Taylor-Crossdale netted his first goal after the ball rebounded off the defender and he poked it home from a tight angle.
For a brief moment, hearts were in Haverfordwest mouths as Agnarsson went down under the challenge after a shirt pull from Whitmore continued inside the box, but the referee booked him for simulation as well as warning him about his petulant behaviour.
Torshavn made a series of substitutions and there was a let off for Haverfordwest. Mattias Hellisdal nearly restored their two-goal lead but his low shot was sent just wide of the goal.
B36 Torshavn: Mattias Lamhaughe; Simun Solheim (Benjamin Heinesen, 90), Isak Jonsson, Magnus Eglisson, Jann Benjaminsen; Andrass Johansen, Eli Falkard Nielsen (C) (Mattias Hellisdal, 85), Michal Przybylski (Valerijs Sabala, 73), Bjarki Christiansson Nielsen (Aron Knudsen, 85), Hannes Agnarsson, and Taufee Skandari (Emil Weihe Joensen, 85)
Goals: Hannes Agnarsson 11, Andrass Johansen 60′
Yellow Card: Agnarsson 81′
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones; Oscar Borg, Lee Jenkins, Jazz Richards (Jack Wilson, 46); Rhys Abbruzzese, Tyrese Owen, Kai Whitmore, Ricky Wats; Martell Taylor-Crossdale, Dan Hawkins, and Ben Fawcett.
Subs: Knott, Chesters, John, Davies, Wilson, Humphreys, John, Shirt, Owen.
