Cambrian United expose Haverfordwest County’s growing problems with emphatic win – talking points

Cambrian United continued their impressive start to life in the Welsh top flight with a 3-0 victory over Haverfordwest County.

It is a result which leaves Liam Williams’ side sitting comfortably near the top of the table in Cymru Premier with seven points from their opening four games.

For Haverfordwest, however, the questions are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Tony Pennock’s side remain pointless after four defeats, three of them coming on home soil, and there was little consolation to be found in a first half which ultimately offered plenty of promise but no reward.

Here are the main talking points from the evening.

Haverfordwest’s struggle evident

Four games, four defeats and still no points or goals leave Pennock with a sizeable task on his hands, particularly with three of those defeats arriving in front of their own supporters.

The most concerning aspect was that this was not a game in which Haverfordwest were simply outclassed from start to finish.

They had spells of dominance. They created openings. They enjoyed territory. But they could not turn any of it into a goal.

Once Cambrian found the breakthrough, the confidence seemed to drain from the hosts.

Cambrian United show ruthless edge

It is easy to forget just how significant Cambrian’s rise has been.

Seven points from their first four matches in the Cymru Premier represents an excellent return for a side enjoying their first taste of top-flight football.

Their victory over Flint Town United last week was historic. This was perhaps more impressive.

There was a maturity to their performance, particularly during a first half in which they were happy to absorb pressure and patiently wait for opportunities.

Ashley Evans was outstanding in the middle of the pitch, constantly closing down space and making life uncomfortable for Haverfordwest’s midfielders.

Captain Kyle Jones also provided the sort of leadership you need at this level from the heart of the defence.

And when the opportunity came, Cambrian were ruthless. That is a particularly encouraging sign for Liam Williams.

Haverfordwest had moments — but could not capitalise

The scoreline did not fully reflect the balance of the opening 45 minutes, with Haverfordwest enjoying spells of pressure and creating several opportunities.

Haverfordwest started frenetically, understandably desperate to finally get their season moving.

Lewis Rees was particularly willing to make runs between the lines, while Corey Shephard showed flashes of the pace and directness which can cause problems at this level.

One of their best openings arrived after Shephard broke forward and found Ben Ahmun, but the forward could not guide his effort towards goal.

Ahmun would have another opportunity later in the half, lifting a 35-yard effort onto the roof of Kellan Absalom’s net.

Greg Walters was also given greater freedom to step into midfield from his role in the back three, helping Haverfordwest gain control during spells of possession.

But that is ultimately the story of their season so far. Possession without penetration. Pressure without a goal. And, eventually, frustration.

Jay Woodford’s goal changed the complexion of the game

Cambrian’s opener arrived somewhat against the run of play.

Jay Woodford rose to meet a corner and powered a header beyond Ifan Knott, giving the visitors the lead shortly after the restart.

Haverfordwest protested that a Cambrian player had handled the ball during the build-up, but after a VAR review the goal stood.

From there, the game changed. Haverfordwest were forced to commit more men forward, and Cambrian suddenly had space to exploit. It was exactly the situation the visitors wanted.

Cambrian’s substitutes made the difference

This was also a victory shaped by Liam Williams’ bench.

Danny Hillman had only just entered the contest when he doubled Cambrian’s lead, stretching to get on the end of the ball before calmly beating Knott from around 10 yards.

The visitors could have added another soon afterwards, with Knott producing an excellent one-handed save to deny Hillman and Liam Eason.

And then came Jac Joseph.

The 18-year-old academy graduate had been on the pitch for only five minutes when he put the finishing touch to a comprehensive victory, scoring with virtually the final kick of the game.

It was a memorable moment for the teenager — and another indication of the options Williams has at his disposal.

The contrast in confidence was striking

The longer the game went on, the greater the contrast between the two sides became.

Cambrian played with the confidence of a team who know they belong at this level.

Haverfordwest played like a team desperately searching for something to go their way.

Even when Pennock’s side controlled possession for sustained periods, there was an uncertainty to their play.

Dylan Rees’ late booking was symbolic of the frustration which had begun to creep into the hosts’ performance.

The visitors, meanwhile, were backed throughout by a vocal travelling support, with the 554-strong crowd providing a clear indication of just how much this new chapter means to the Cam Army.

Two very different journeys from here

For Haverfordwest, the trip to high-flying Llandudno next weekend could hardly come at a more difficult time. Pennock needs answers from his players quickly.

The absence of Green Clayton removes an important option, while the lack of goals and points means confidence is inevitably going to become an issue if results do not improve soon.

Cambrian, meanwhile, can travel north to face Colwyn Bay with genuine optimism. Seven points from 12, a historic first top-flight win already secured and now another victory on the road. For a newly promoted side, that is an excellent platform.

And on the evidence of this night in Pembrokeshire, Cambrian United are not simply here to make up the numbers.