Haverfordwest County and Cardiff Met failed to break the deadlock at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium which leaves both sides in search of their first win of the season.
The large crowd at the OGI Bridge Meadow witnessed a less than exhilarating first half, the best chances falling to the head of visiting centre half Emlyn Lewis, although Adam Roscrow showed glimpses of his undoubted ability, also being the only yellow card for a foul late in the first half on Mason Jones-Thomas. The visitors Dan Warre was dangerous with ball at feet and running at the home defence as Joe Evans also had moments showing opportunities could come his way with the endeavour he showed.
The Bluebirds wideman Jones-Thomas, like Jack Wilson on the opposite side had little change from a well disciplined Archers defence, goalkeeper Alex Lang largely untroubled, Lee Idzi in the home goal a commanding presence which gave confidence to the newly formed backline which included former Wales international Jazz Richards.
The game withered as opposed to meandered through the second half, Warre not able to break beyond the defensive line for Met and home starlet Wilson, when he did have space finding his route to goal well policed, the Met showing an improvement on their performance from last week when they struggled to contain Flint in the second half. That showed a lot of courage for manager Christian Edwards young chargers to not hide from their responsibilities, putting down a clear marker in the sand to ensure they gained their first point of the season. Warre showed his pedigree as a mazy runner and fulcrum for the offensive play alongside Roscrow, the combination developing throughout the second half, neither fronting a clear cut opportunity as they come up against Alaric Jones who was commanding both in the air and on the floor for the home side. An estimated crowd of close to 900 failed to galvanise any vocal input to encourage the home side,, manager Jones adding Kurtis Rees to the fray as he replaced Kieran Lewis with half an hour left, a like for like swap, Rees giving a tad more bite in the centre of the park. The substitution raised the tempo in the home midfield, Archers full back Kyle McCarthy cautioned by referee Jenkins on 64 minutes for a foul on Henry Jones and Charles Corsby two minutes later for a similar foul on Alaric Jones. Warre, having left everything on the pitch was replaced by Liam Warmen with McCarthy walking a tightrope after another foul earned him a final warning from Jenkins
The Bluebirds couldn’t take advantage of their dominance over that ten minute period, as the Met weathered the storm, Eliot Evans free kick nearly finding Roscrow but for an interception from Alaric Jones. The final third is where the money counts and both sides lacked that quality and composure, endeavour not enough at this level to secure three points. Jones-Thomas on his home debut drove forward but his shot from the edge of the box didn’t trouble Lang in the Met goal, a mistake from another home debutant, Kyle Patten nearly allowing Price a glimpse of goal but Jones again was on hand to deny him with a sliding tackle.
Home captain Dylan Rees picked up a yellow card with ten minutes remaining, the former Archer on his home debut not sparking, the local lad from Tenby certainly one who can offer more to his side as the season progresses alongside Milford born Ben Fawcett who was given little opportunity against Matthew Chubb and Lewis, the service to him not clinical enough to create the chances in the 18 yard box by which he thrives on.
Substitute Warman had a shot from inside the box in the last five minutes tipped over by Idzi, the threatening play certainly coming from the visitors as two minutes was added by referee Jenkins, the final whistle greeted with loud applause, the question being of those leaving, how many will return for next weekend as paying punters for the home encounter against TNS.
Haverfordwest County
Lee Idzi, Jazz Richards, Alaric Jones, Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett, Henry Jones, Jack Wilson, Dylan Rees (c), Kieran Lewis (Kurtis Rees) Mason Jones-Thomas, Kyle Patten.
Substitutes (not used)
Wojciech Gadja, Scott Tanncok, Ricky Watts, Dan James.
Cardiff Met
Alex Lang, Matthew Chubb, Kyle McCarthy, Emlyn Lewis, Tom Price, Eliot Evans, Chris Baker (c), Adam Roscrow, Charles Corsby, Joe Evans, Daniel Warre (Liam Warman).
Substitutes (not used)
Max Manson, Harry Owen, Rhydian Morgan, Tom Davies
Referee Rob Jenkins
Assistant Referees Jon Bryant & Harry Hendricks
Fourth Official Dean John
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