Haverfordwest County’s game-changing subs spark stunning comeback against Briton Ferry – talking points

Haverfordwest County produced a stunning second-half turnaround, scoring three times in 15 minutes after simplifying their approach to overturn a one-goal deficit and claim all three points.

Corey Hurford opened the scoring on the hour mark, but little more than 10 minutes later, Dan Hawkins and Corey Shepherd struck in a six-minute salvo to completely change the complexion of the game.

Rhys Abbruzzese then wrapped up the comeback with six minutes remaining to seal a memorable 3-1 victory for the Bluebirds.

It was an impressive turnaround for the Bluebirds after a slow start, but the result continues a growing momentum after a difficult opening to their league campaign. They are now unbeaten in three matches and have climbed to 11th in the Cymru Premier standings.

For Ferry, it was a fourth consecutive defeat and one which saw them leapfrogged by Haverfordwest, with the West Wales side moving above their opponents after completing the comeback.

Haverfordwest find simpler route to victory

Haverfordwest had threatened to overcomplicate things in the first half, with some promising approach play not always followed by the decisive final ball.

Abbruzzese and Hawkins were instrumental in creating openings, but the home side perhaps looked for the perfect pass when a more direct approach might have brought greater reward.

That changed after the break. Haverfordwest began to play with greater simplicity and purpose, moving the ball quicker and making more direct runs into the danger area.

Shepherd continued to vary the play with raking passes to either flank, while Hawkins and the overlapping Jacob Owen provided outlets on the wings.

The change in approach began to tell as the Bluebirds put the visitors under increasing pressure, with Abbruzzese having already struck the base of the left post after combining with Hawkins shortly before the interval.

Haverfordwest learned from their first-half frustration and, by keeping things simple, eventually found the breakthrough that changed the course of the game.

Wilson proves the catalyst

The Bluebirds levelled at 70 minutes when Dan Hawkins found himself unmarked to head home, with Jack Walker’s long throw taking a deflection before falling into his path.

The goal sparked Haverfordwest into life, with Wilson proving the catalyst after being introduced five minutes earlier.

They completed the turnaround when Corey Shepherd finished off a slick move, running clear into the danger area before picking his spot with an assured strike to make it 2-1.

Ahmun makes his mark

Ben Ahmun was also a constant threat after coming on alongside Jack Wilson, with the centre-forward dominant in the air and particularly effective down the left.

He drew a save from Will Fuller before driving at the defence with eight minutes remaining.

Ahmun then showed his unselfish side, setting up Rhys Abbruzzese to make it 3-1 as the visitors’ defence began to struggle to stay with Haverfordwest’s attacking players.

Hurford strikes against the run of play

Against the run of play, the visitors stunned the 586 just before the hour mark.

Corey Hurford seized on a misplaced pass and outpaced the Haverfordwest defence over 40 yards before drawing Knott and calmly beating him low to his left.

Hurford was booked alongside Owen minutes later as the game became increasingly intense, although the quality of the football did not always match the rising tempo.

Visitors offer little before the break

The Ferry created very little during the opening period, with frontman Tom Walters an increasingly isolated figure.

Tom Price and Ryan George were given little time on the ball as Haverfordwest pressed high, while Kyle Kenniford proved an effective and energetic spoiler in midfield.

Walters finally drew a save from home goalkeeper Ifan Knott shortly after the restart, before Knott produced another good stop from George a minute later.

George had been booked moments earlier for pulling back Owen as the intensity of the contest began to increase.