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HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 5 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN .. 1

Dyfan Pierce celebrates his first goal for County

It was a shell-shocked Aber who set off back up the A487 after threatening so much for half an hour and being so comprehensively outplayed for the last hour.
Derek Brazil had opted to play all three of his strikers, with Nicky Woodrow just behind Jack Christopher and Luke Bowen, and Neil Thomas foraging wide on the right. Even in the early minutes the formula looked a good one as a busy attack and midfield linked skilfully and well.The problem was that that at this stage the Seasiders were very much on target. There was a frantic spell of two minutes when Lee Idzi saved superbly from Gareth Hughes, Gareth Elliott cleared off his line, and striker Graham Evans shot against the post. Seven minutes later Idzi pulled off maybe his own save of the season to turn Chris Venables' shot on to the post.A minute later the Bluebirds struck. Mike Hartley foxed his full back and curled a deep cross to the far post where Christopher, the prince of poachers, nipped in with a deflecting header.
From then on the Aspire-sponsored Bluebirds dominated more and more. The second goal, just before half-time, again came from a deep cross, swung in this time by Neil Thomas and headed in emphatically at the far post by Woodrow.
The Bluebirds came out for the second half in a totally positive frame of mind and had cracked in two more goals within 10 minutes. Jehu (West) man-of-the-match Thomas broke from midfield and strode through to drive in a low left-foot shot. Two minutes later a four-man move got the ball to Christopher, 25 yards out, and seeing keeper Roberts off his line, he lobbed him with a finely-judged chip.Then, after Aber had scrambled a consolation goal, came one of the game's three champagne moments. The first had been Idzi's wonderful save from Venables, and Christopher's floated second goal had been the second. For me though, a real highlight came four minutes from the end, when Christopher and Dyfan Pierce broke forward on goal and Christopher, who was on a hat-trick and was certainly in a shooting position, unselfishly slipped a square pass to the slightly better-placed Pierce, for him to drive in crisply.

County : Idzi; Evans, Hanford, Michael, Elliott, Blain, Hartley, Thomas (Speake, 80), Woodrow (Pierce, 80), Christopher, Bowen (Robinson, 71).
Sub not used: Gilderdale

 

 

HAVERFORDWEST .. 2 GAP CONNAH'S QUAY .. 0

Jack Christopher's second goal

 

Connah's Quay had much of the territory and the possession in this game, but it was a fine brace from Jack Christopher which gave illustration to the old adage that it's goals in the back of the net which count.
Derek Brazil continued his policy of rotating his strikers, with Luke Bowen and Jack Christopher being the two to start, and Christopher had made his mark within the minute. After a Nomads defender had headed against his own post after 30 seconds, the ensuing corner swung across the area from the left and
Jack latched on to the ball out right to hammer home.
The Nomads were fresh from a fine 3-1 win against Llanelli and they came back strongly, but it was the Aspire-sponsored Bluebirds who looked the sharper in front of goal, with Mike Hartley, Luke Bowen and Neil Thomaspushing forward well. In the 20 th minute, a fine run and ball in from Hartley gave Christopher his second chance and again the ball rasped home.
The visitors came out for the second half clearly feeling that a 2-goal lead was there to be overturned. They had scored three in the second half against Llanelli but this time their shooting was poor. Lee Idzi, Lee Jarman and sub Gareth Elliott were all dominant in a very good defence.
At the other end the Blues continued to threaten in breakaways, with Jehu West man-of-the-match Christopher, sub Nick Woodrow, Bowen and Hartley still strong.
The game ended with a regrettable fracas, when Elliott's strong but seemingly fair challenge on a Nomads player so incensed the visitors' Danny Forde that he rushed in to start a bout of shoving and pushing. Eventually half a dozen players on either side joined in, but it was Elliott and Jarman who were booked.

It wasn't enough to spoil the Bluebirds' very good afternoon.

County: Idzi, Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Blain, Michael (Gilderdale, 80), Hartley (Woodrow, 74), Pierce (Elliott, 60), Bowen, Christopher, Thomas

 

 

NEATH ATHLETIC .. 1 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 1

The Neath keeper can only watch as Dylan Blain puts the Blues ahead.

Haverfordwest came away from Neath with a hard earned point after a windy and rain swept game at the Gnoll. Both sides tried to play football in gusty wind and driving rain in what was truly a game of two halves. The Aspire sponsored Bluebirds controlled the first half, playing into the wind, and restricted the home side to attacking on the break. With a dominant midfield, a solid back line and Nicky Woodrow and Luke Bowen causing problems in attack, County were comfortably in charge almost from the kick off. Though the weather caused problems, both sides tried to play football and Derek Brazil's side were always in charge. So it was no real surprise when Dylan Blain slotted home the opening goal in the 23rd minute.
Neath attempted to get back into the game but were well marshalled by the Bluebirds until the 38th minute when a rare mistake in midfield allowed the home side to gain possession and get into the County box, and Richard French was able to equalise. From the restart, Haverfordwest continued to dominate and press forward, and could have gone in ahead at the break, but Luke Bowen's glancing header went just outside the post, with the keeper beaten.
With the weather and the conditions deteriorating, the second half was a reversal of the first, with Neath applying the majority of the pressure, and County soaking it up and hitting on the break. With Lee Idzi looking comfortable between the posts, and Neath's forwards unable to find the target on several occasions, the home side never looked like taking the lead. Haverfordwest, however were always dangerous on the break. After 60 minutes, Jack Christopher came on for the excellent Simon Gilderdale as Derek Brazil went with three forwards to break the deadlock, with Nicky Woodrow moving out to the left flank.
Despite Neath having more of the play, it was Haverfordwest who had the better chances, and did get the ball in the Neath net when Luke Bowen climbed above the defence to head home a Terry Evans cross, but the referee ruled that an offence had been committed and awarded a free kick to the home side. For a while Neath were on the back foot and Haverfordwest had several chances, the best of which fell to Neil Thomas, but the midfielder pulled his shot wide, after some fine work by Christopher had opened up the defence.
In the 85th minute Pierce replaced Woodrow, who had never stopped running in attack. County nearly got the winner a few minutes later, when a Terry Evans cross curled dangerously under the crossbar, but the keeper was able to hold on to the ball. In the end, a draw was probably a fair result. County have now gained 7 points from their last three games.

 

County: Idzi, Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Gilderdale (Christopher 60). Michael, Hartley, Blain, Woodrow (Pierce 85), Bowen, Thomas.
Sub not used: Elliott

PORT TALBOT TOWN .. 1 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 2

Town keeper, Kristian Rogers picks Nicky Woodrow's equaliser out of the net.

The Aspire sponsored Bluebirds showed the fight and tenacity that Derek Brazil has asked them for, when they came from behind to defeat a lively and skilful Port Talbot Town at the GenQuip Stadium on Friday night. With Gareth Elliott unavailable, Simon Gilderdale partnered Lee Jarman in the centre of defence for the second game running and Terry Evans retained the captain's armband.
In a goalless first half, neither side really looked like scoring, with the home side taking the game to Haverfordwest. Outnumbered in midfield, County were on the backfoot for most of the half, but Port Talbot were unable to break through the solid Bluebird's backline, and though the occassional break threatened the home team's goal, the sides went in at the half scoreless.
Derek Brazil made a change in the formation to counter PortTalbot's control in the midfield, but after three minutes, Liam McCreesh was left free in the area and was able to put the home side in front. The goal, though, only galvanized the Bluebird's into action, and they dominated the rest of the half, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would score. After 61 minutes, Luke Bowen came on to replace Jack Christopher, and joined Nicky Woodrow in chasing and harrying the Steelmen's defense. The change paid dividends in the 72nd minute, when Bowen was able to slip the ball through to Nicky Woodrow who had no trouble beating the keeper to level the scores.
With Paul Michael replacing the composed Simon Gilderdale, County continued to pile on the pressure on Port Talbot, and the home defence was vulnerable to almost every attack. In the 78th minute a Mike Hartley cross from the right caused panic, and, under pressure from Dylan Blain, Leigh de Vulgt could only watch as the ball came off his head and loop over the stranded keeper for Haverfordwest's winner.
Though Port Talbot tried, they were never able to come back from the goal. They had one chance, when with Lee Idzi beaten, the ball was heading into the net, but Lee Jarman was on hand to clear the ball off the goal line. Neil Thomas, playing with a cracked rib and Dylan Blain controlled the midfield, and with Mike Hartley and Dyfan Pierce raiding down the flanks it seemed that a third goal was not out of the question. It was not to be, however, and County had to settle for a solid 2-1 win on a difficult night to play the controlled passing football that has become their trademark this season.

County: Idzi, Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Gilderdale (Michael 73), Thomas (Briers 90), Hartley, Blain, Woodrow, Christopher, (Bowen 61), Pierce.

 

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 4 CPD PORTHMADOG .. 2

Simon Gilderdale heads home the ball. The goal was disallowed.

A solid all round performance from Haverfordwest County saw them take all three points from this encounter against CPD Porthmadog at the New Bridge Meadow. Both teams started brightly, with Port getting the better of the early exchanges, but the Bluebirds gradually took over the game. After going close to scoring in the first quarter of an hour, the breakthrough came when Nicky Woodrow beat Ryan Davies on the left hand side of the penalty area, only to be clipped by the defender as he prepared to cross the ball. Davies received a yellow for the challenge, and Woodrow slotted home the penalty kick, having sent the keeper the wrong way.
As Porthmadog attempted to get back in the game, the Aspire sponsored Bluebirds continued to control the game as they pressed for a second, with Jehu (West) Man of the Match Mike Hartley getting past the fullbacks with remarkable regularity, and Lee Idzi pulling of some good saves in the County goal. However, it was Porthmadog who scored next to level the scores, when Gareth Parry curled a shot inside the post from outside the County area.
The second half began with both sides playing open and attractive football, but it was County who always looked the more dangerous. On the 50th minute, Simon Gilderdale headed the ball home from a Hartley corner to score what would have been his first WPL goal, but the referee disallowed his effort. Six minutes later, the Port frailty in the air was exploited again, when a Neil Thomas cross was headed home by Jack Christopher to restore Haverfordwest's advantage.
Dyfan Pierce came on for Paul Michael in the 60th minute as Derek Brazil went with two wingers, and in the 63rd minute a Mike Hartley cross caused panic in the visitors defense, and resulted in Ryan Davies completing a terrible afternoon for him as he put the ball in his own net under pressure from Nicky Woodrow. County continued to terrorise the Porthmadog defenders, both on the wings and in the centre, where Neil Thomas in particular, was able to cause problems with clever one-twos to open the path to goal.
Despite pulling off some fine saves in the second half, Idzi was beaten when Parry got his second, with a header that seemed to take a deflection on its way into the corner of the goal.
With the home crowd fearing a North Walian comeback, Luke Bowen settled the game in the 79th minute with a right footed strike following a brilliant run by Pierce on the left. From then on the result was never in doubt, as County held on to win and looked capable of increasing the winning margin.

County: Idzi, Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Gilderdale, Michael (Pierce 60), Hartley, Blain, Woodrow (Bowen 72), Christopher (Robinson 87), Thomas.
Sub not used: Elliott

 

LLANELLI .. 2 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 1

Nicky Woodrow prepares to score County's goal

Playing against ten men for 70 minutes, the Bluebirds gave Llanelli a great deal to think about, but on an afternoon on which the final pass tended to go astray, they could never quite do enough.
The Aspire-sponsored Bluebirds started a little shakily. In the first 20 minutes Neil Thomas had a solid header and shot on target, but keeper Morris was never seriously threatened, while at the other end Reds' forwards Jason Bowen and Jordan Follows were probing dangerously on the flanks.
So it was in keeping with the run of play that Llanelli opened the scoring in the 12 th minute when Bowen broke quickly out of his own half, and found himself in space and in a one-on-one with the advancing Lee Idzi. His chip was inch-perfect and the Reds were ahead.The Blues continued to find progress difficult, with the midfield not always able to get behind a strong Reds' defence and relying frequently on the ball over the top. Although Jack Christopher looked at times as if he might be feeling the effects of a hard-fought mid-week international, he and Nicky Woodrow ran at the opposition as vigorously as ever.
A real turning-point came in the 22 nd minute with the sending–off of Chris Holloway after an off-the-ball incident which was never queried by the voluble Llanelli camp. And from that moment the Blues clearly felt they could get something from the game.
The pressure on the Reds' goal started to build, with Thomas, Christopher, Woodrow and Mike Hartley all buzzing forward. Again though Morris was able to keep his goal secure.
Then, on the stroke of half-time came a sickening setback, when the defence really gifted the Reds a goal, as Lee Jarman's back pass failed to reach Idzi and the sprightly Follows nipped in to pinch the second goal.The defence will feel the disappointment of that goal badly, particularly since they, well led by Jarman and Gareth Elliott, generally contained Llanelli so well that ex-Bluebird Rhys Griffiths never got a sniff of the goal.
Into the second half, the Blues pressure built again. It was the Christopher-Woodrow pairing which again broke through in the 56 th minute. So often this season, when one has scored the other has supplied the assist and so it was on Saturday, as Christopher found space on the right, and sent a lovely deep cross to the far post where Woodrow hammered in at the second attempt.There might have been a second goal 15 minutes later when the two strikers fashioned a lovely exchange of headers on the edge of the box and Christopher's right-foot shot whistled just wide.
In the end, it was maybe the Reds' professional edge which just settled the game. For 70 minutes the Bluebirds played a lot of good and skilful football, but so often they would string together 4 or 5 passes, sometimes even more, only for the final ball to lack just that inch or two of direction, as Llanelli's very quick defence and midfield closed them down. Llanelli deserved their win but the Blues did enough to suggest that their lean spell will soon end.

After the game, manager Derek Brazil said that he was slightly disappointed with the result as he felt that the team had done enough to earn a share of the points, and that Holloway's sending off was completely justifiable.

County : Idzi; Evans (Bowen 71), Hanford, Jarman, Elliott, Blain, Hartley, Thomas, Woodrow, Christopher, Pierce (Webbe, 55).

Not used: Gilderdale, Michael.

 

 

HAVEFORDWEST COUNTY .. 1 CAERNARFON TOWN .. 1

Jack Christopher's late equaliser

It took a good headed equalizer from Jack Christopher to salvage a Bluebirds point from a very disappointing afternoon.
Two chaotic minutes just before the goal typified the Blues afternoon. In the 86 th minute Luke Bowen was brought down as he neared the Caernarfon box. Referee Dean John decided to play the advantage but then managed to blow up as the ball hit the back of the Caernarfon net.
Mike Hartley sent across the free kick only for the referee to blow up, with the ball in flight, to allow a Caernarfon substitution. Only when Hartley took the kick for the second time, was he able to float it across for Christopher to head firmly home.

This is not to say that the Bluebirds were robbed, despite the combination of unfavourable decisions and gamesmanship on the Canaries' side. There had been light rain before and during the game and the pitch was slippery, but the visitors tended to adapt better to these conditions than the Aspire-sponsored Bluebirds did.
The Caernarfon attack, led by the dangerous and theatrical Paul Addo, threatened at odd moments but the Canaries' goal, in the 20 th minute, owed more to an uncharacteristic slip by Lee Idzi whose fluffed clearance let in Dale Wright.
Shortly afterwards a heavy challenge just outside the Caernarfon penalty area set up a free kick which Nicky Woodrow hammered against the bar. He seemed to be fouled as he went for the rebound but referee John waved appeals away, as he did again 3 minutes later when Jehu (West) Man of the Match Dylan Blain went on a run down the right and a defender seemed to handle.
The Bluebirds dominated the second half without ever getting into top gear. They found the route through the middle blocked by the Canaries' centre backs and made most headway down the right, where Woodrow and Hartley posed most threat. The Blues forced one corner after another, but nothing seemed to be going for them until Christopher finally hit the spot.

County : Idzi; Evans, Hanford (Pierce 61), Elliott, Jarman, Blain, Hartley, Thomas (Bowen 61), Woodrow, Christopher, Michael.
Sub not used: Gilderdale.

 

 

NEWTOWN AFC .. 4 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 2

Luke Bowen's diving header pulls County back to 3-2

Haverfordwest County went to Newtown looking to extend their unbeaten run in the League to six games. With Tom Ramasut out through injury, Bobby Briers and Neil Thomas came into the side, with Paul Michael moving to the bench, and up front, the Gaffer went with the partnership of Woodrow and Bowen. At the back, Terry Evans was playing in front of a back three, as the Gaffer went with the attacking formation that has worked so well recently.
From the start, the Aspire sponsored Bluebirds were causing problems for a shaky Newtown defence, and in the fifth minute Nicky Woodrow rose to head home his seventh league goal of the season to give County the lead.
County pressed for a second and were in control of the game, until five minutes of mayhem in their defence allowed Newtown to score three goals. Twice they allowed Gareth Mansell in to score, in the 14th and 15th minutes and then in the 18th Robbie James was allowed to run across the edge of the penalty area and fire a shot into the corner of the goal. For a while the usually solid Bluebird defence looked rattled, but gradually County worked their way back into the game, and had several chances, and in the twenty eighth minute Luke Bowen pulled a goal back with a diving header at the far post.
Derek Brazil's side took over the game, and had several chances to pull level, but were not able to find the target. Both strikers came close, with Nicky Woodrow's volley just over the bar being the best of the chances. Just on half time, Neil Thomas was the recipient of a particularly nasty challenge that went unpunished by the officials, who were being heavily criticised by both home and away fans.
The second half began with County chasing the game, and Newtown being forced to defend. Mike Hartley had a fine game and caused the defence several problems in tandem with Lee Jarman on the right, and it seemed as if it would only be a matter of time before the score was level. In the fifty sixth minute, Bobby Briers was replaced by Jack Christopher as the Bluebirds went with three forwards to save the game, and the tactical change nearly paid off. In the 60th minute Luke Bowen had a golden opportunity to level the scores, after the Newtown keeper made a fine save, but he was unable to direct the ball into the net.
The failure of County to score, was soon compounded, when Newtown benefitted from a handball that everyone in the ground saw, except the officials, and Moses restored their two goal advantage.
After this goal, Newtown continued to defend, and County continued to make chances with Nicky Woodrow continually harrying the defence, and Neil Thomas making dangerous runs from midfield. Paul Michael came on in the seventy second minute for Dyfan Pierce, and made a fine tackle in the penalty area to stop a Newtown break. Despite the chances that they created, though, County were unable to find the back of the net. The defeat means that County drop on place to sixth in the League.

County: Idzi, Evans, Handford, Jarman, Elliott, Briers (Christopher 56), Hartley, Thomas, Bowen, Woodrow, Pierce (Michael 72)

 

 

RHYL .. 4 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY ..0

An anxious Lee Kendall watches as Ramasut's shot goes just wide

Haverfordwest County's Cup dreams are over for another season, following a four goal defeat at Belle Vue by Rhyl. Whilst the scoreline is not an accurate reflection of the game, the Bluebirds were never in contention against a Rhyl side that have only lost in the Loosemore's Cup this season. Two goals in each half ensured that Rhyl moved into the fourth round, while County were left rueing what might have been. The Aspire sponsored Bluebirds started well and weathered the early attacks of a skillful and energetic Lillywhites side who were inventive, yet failed tofind a way through a solid County defence untill they scored from their first real chance.
In the 16th minute George Horan rose unchallenged in the 6 yard box to head home a corner and give the home side the lead.
Derek Brazil's side responded well and had chances to pull level, but the Rhyl defence held firm whenever they were asked to. The normally mercurial Tom Ramasut, playing with a heavily strapped knee, was never really in the game, and as a result the Rhyl midfield's confidence grew, and they began to control the game. Just after the half hour, however, Ramasut nearly pulled the game level with a fierce shot from 20yards. Rhyl keeper Kendall was beaten, but the ball went just the wrong side of the post. Just after this Tom was forced to leave the game to be replaced by Dylan Blain, and then in the 42nd minute Mattie Wiliams doubled the home sides advantage with a well placed shot from the edge of the area.
In the second half, County started well and looked as though they could pull one back, but the Rhyl defense were able to prevent the final ball from getting through. Nicky Woodrow continually harried the Rhyl defenders but it was to no avail. Derek Brazil switched from the 4-4-2 formation to a 4-3-3 when he brought Luke Bowen on for Paul Michael, and the change very nearly paid off. It took a magnificent save from Kendall to prevent the young strikers volley from putting County back into the frame. The Bluebirds created more chances in the second half, but in the 71st minute a superb goal from Neil Roberts effectivly killed the game off.
Roberts added a second four minutes from the end when the County defense failed to deal with a long clearance.

County: Idzi, Evans, Jarman, Elliott, Hanford, Michael (Bowen 65'), Hartley, Ramasut (Blain 37'), Christopher, Woodrow, Pierce.

 

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 3 PRESTATYN TOWN ..1

This game was played in wind and rain but a spirited effort by both sides saw lots of mistakes, lots of goalmouth incident, a fine goal from Luke Bowen and a cracking brace from Nicky Woodrow.
The tone of the match was set in the 3rd minute when Gareth Elliott met Mike Hartley's corner with a flying scissors kick and the ball flew over the bar. Derek Brazil had opted for three strikers and Luke Bowen, Jack Christopher and Jehu West man-of-the-match Woodrow gave the Prestatyn defence real problems all afternoon.
After his recent splendid run, Christopher was due to miss an easy chance or two and in the 10 th minute, after Woodrow had whipped a very good cross in from the left, Jack totally failed to make contact six yards out.
However, the three strikers continued to drive forward and Christopher came close to making amends late in the first half when he tussled for the ball with keeper Dunt, 30
yards out, and sent a fine lob towards the vacant goal, only for it to bounce just over the bar. On a less good pitch it would have been a goal.
And that was half-time, with no score, after 45 minutes during which Prestatyn had been in no sense out of it and their striker Ian Griffiths had sent one 30-yard dipper just over the bar and pulled one very fine save out of Lee Idzi.
At the start of the second half the Aspire-sponsored Bluebirds had a sluggish 3-minute spell and it was enough for the dangerous Griffiths to nip into a gap and to put Jon Fisher-Cooke in for a Prestatyn goal.
That was about the visitors' last flurry though, as the goal seemed to sting the Blues into action. The stage was set now for Woodrow's intervention.
In the 57 th minute Dyfan Pierce took a free kick quickly to play Terry Evans in on the left and Woodrow met his cross to thump home. His second was a real cracker, as he latched on to a long clearance from Idzi, out-ran the defence and hammered in on the run from 20 yards.
Prestatyn half-threatened a come-back but the Blues defence was as solid as ever and the game was clinched in the 88 th minute when Bowen picked up a ball out of defence, went on a fine run down the left and curled a beauty past Dunt's despairing clutch.

County : Idzi; Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Elliott, Bowen, Hartley, Michael (Ramasut, 74), Woodrow, Christopher (Blain, 79), Pierce (Gilderdale, 88)

 

 

NEWI CEFN DRUIDS .. 0 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 1

 

The Aspire sponsored Bluebirds produced a solid display against the Ancients to move up to sixth place in the Welsh Premier League at Plas Kynaston, showing both the attacking flair and the defensive capabilities, that have seen them go seven games without defeat in all competitions.
Cefn Mawr is never an easy place to play, as County found out last season, and the hosts started quickly, and forced Derek Brazil's side to defend for the first few minutes of the game. Gradually, though County eased their way back into the game, with a mixture of passing football and long through balls to their speedy young strike force of Jack Christopher and Nicky Woodrow.
The Gaffer went with an attacking 3-5-2 formation, and after the first five minutes, the formation started to work, with County seemingly able to attack at will, with most of the moves involving midfield lynchpin Tom Ramasut and winger Mike Hartley. While not getting everything their own way in the air, Woodrow and Christopher were able to use their pace and give the Druids defensive pair a torrid time every time they ran at or past them.
The majority of the first half belonged to Haverfordwest and in the 25th minute they got a deserved reward from a corner, when the ball was scrappily cleared from a corner and fell to an unmarked Lee Jarman just inside the area who calmly slotted the ball home.
Instead of sitting back, as a lot of teams do when they get a lead away from home, County continued to press the Druids defence and could have easily doubled their advantage by half-time, with the best chance falling to Dyfan Pierce, whose effort was just high.
The second half started with the Druids going for the equaliser, and they continued to pressure the County defence throughout the period. However, the flair that was showed in the first half going forward was matched in the second by resilience and solidity in defence. NEWI Cefn Druids had several chances from long distance, none of which troubled Lee Idzi, and when the home side did manage to get any crosses in, there was never any danger in them. With the Druids continually attacking, County were forced to rely on counter attacks, and did so with great effect. Even though the pitch was not condusive to their style of play, Derek Brazil's side continued to cause problems everytime they went forward, but were unable to double their advantage. Tom Ramasut had an effort, that would have sealed a win tipped over by Carl Edwards, and Woodrow and Christopher came close on several occassions. The desperation and frustration in the home side became evident when Ricky Evans was rightly sent off for a lunging late tackle on Mike Hartley, in the 86th minute, but by then the game was effectivly over as a superb team performance, both going forward and in defence, from Brazil's Bluebirds saw them return home with three points and in 6th place.

County: Idzi, Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Elliott, Michael, Hartley (Briers 90), Ramasut (Blain 74), Woodrow (Bowen 74), Christopher, Pierce

 

 

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 2 THE NEW SAINTS (TNS) .. 2

Jack Christopher 8 goals in 8 games.

A spirited and skilful display saw the Bluebirds through to a thoroughly deserved point – and it was very nearly three, until the New Saints' equalizer deep in injury time.
The degree of heart and skill showed by the whole team illustrated very clearly just how far the side has come in the ten months since they lost 4-0 to the New Saints last season. For this was a night on which many of the side's younger players had to call upon qualities of resilience and coolness not always needed against sides like Airbus and Welshpool.
Goalkeeper Lee Idzi soaked up tremendous pressure from a succession of superbly-flighted corners from the Saints' Craig Williams and, although he was twice forced to punch clear, he generally did superbly well under a real physical pounding. Midfielder Paul Michael, who was playing for Risca United just a few months ago, showed that he is now an accomplished Welsh Premier player.
Meanwhile, Nicky Woodrow and Jack Christopher found themselves against a very tough defence, led by the powerful Alex Darlington, and both of them dug in, harried and waited for their moment. They had one chance on goal each and each was beautifully taken.
The Blues started extremely brightly and looked well in contention until the 20 th minute when John Toner poached an opportunist goal. For the next 15 minutes, the Blues defence felt the full weight of a professional side powering forward in the ascendancy, but Idzi, Terry Evans, Craig Hanford, Bobby Briers and Jehu West man-of-the match Lee Jarman defended superbly.
Slowly, the pressure eased and on the stroke of half-time the Blues equalized. Tom Ramasut floated a free kick in from the left and the ball broke to Woodrow. It was there to be belted, he belted it and the scores were level.
Derek Brazil made a bold start to the second half by bringing on a fired-up Neil Thomas and playing him almost as a third striker. The second goal though in the 75 th minute, was a fine strike from Jack Christopher, who thundered through from just inside the Saints half, in a one-on-two with defender and keeper, before planting a lovely low finish in the bottom corner.
For quarter of an hour more, the Blues defended as stubbornly as ever, and it was a real sickener when, two minutes into injury time, a long throw looped in and Toner was able to pinch the equalizer.

County : Idzi; Evans, Hanford, Michael, Jarman, Briers (Thomas, 45), Hartley, Ramasut (Gilderdale, 82), Woodrow, Christopher, Pierce (Blain, 77).

 

 

PONTYPRIDD TOWN ..1 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY ..4

Only an outstanding goalkeeping display by Pontypridd custodian Paul Buttery prevented this game from being over at half time. Pontypridd were facing extinction at the start of the season, and their only victory so far was in the first round of the Welsh Cup. Managed by former Bluebird's keeper Gary Haman, they also had ex Bluebird Samir Misbah in the team.
Haverfordwest struck first on a windy and rainy afternoon. In the 8th minute, Jack Christopher rounded the keeper to slot the ball home, and then in the 17th minute, Mike Hartley scored the goal of the game. Jack Christopher harried the unfortunate Buttery, whose clearance fell to Hartley, who fired the ball over a desperate defence into the net from 30 yards. In the 23rd minute County thought that they had gone three up, but Jack Christopher was ruled offside.
Ponty's response to this reprieve was immediate and a minute later the deficit was down to one. Samir Misbah was not picked up on the edge of the box, and his shot skimmed off the mud in the goalmouth and past Lee Idzi.
The remainder of the first half belonged to County, and to Paul Buttery. In the 27th minute Jack Christopher lobbed the keeper, but his effort was cleared by the desperate defence, and from then on the Pontypridd goalie stopped everything that came his way with a series of fine saves, most notably from Nicky Woodrow in the 34th minute and Jack Christopher in the 43rd.
With score at 2-1, Pontypridd came out in the second half with more urgency and confidence, and put more pressure on the visitors, but never looked like creating any serious threat. The defence, led by Terry Evans the captain for the day, never gave way, with Lee Jarman showing the confidence and calmness that has been evident all season. With the heavy pitch cutting up in the torrential rain, County still played the passing football that has had them win their last four games, with Mike Hartley and Paul Michael in particular having fine games. In the 66th minute Hartley could have increased the lead when a cross from Craig Hanford was flicked on to him by Nicky Woodrow, but his effort bought out another fine save from Buttery. Four minutes later Nicky Woodrow hit the post from a cross by Paul Michael following a strong run down the right by the young midfielder.
In the 70th minute, Luke Bowen finally got the ball into the net from a Hartley corner (pictured above) with a powerful header that had the keeper stranded. County now went looking for a fourth and in the 80th minute Christopher got his second of the game from a Mike Hartley cross.

County: Idzi, Evans (capt), Hanford (Bowen 70'), Jarman, Gilderdale, Briers, Hartley, Blain, Woodrow (Webbe 76'), Christopher, Michael. Sub not used: Ramasut

 

 

WELSHPOOL TOWN ..1 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY ..3

Woody gets the first goal

Two first half goals by Nicky Woodrow sent Haverfordwest County on the way to their first away league victory this season, at the expense of Welshpool Town, at Maesydre. The home side started brightly, but never looked like troubling the County defence of Evans, Briers, Eliott and Hanford. Gradually Derek Brazil's side eased their way into the game, playing stylish, passing football and in the 13th minute got their reward, when a mix-up in the Welshpool defence left an unmarked Nicky Woodrow free to bundle the ball over the line. With the defence holding firm, and the midfield, ably led by Tom Ramasut, closing down on Welshpool and feeding the front two, it was the Aspire sponsored Bluebirds who were the more dangerous. In the 25th minute they could have added a second, when Jack Christopher won the ball, played a cross field ball to Woodrow and sprinted into the box for a return pass, but Woody was unable to get the ball to him, and chose to shoot instead, and his shot was saved.
The incident was repeated 7 minutes later with Woodrow again in possession on the right side of the box, and Christopher again free on the left. Again there were too many defenders in the way, only this time Woodrow was given the time to pick his spot and fire the ball home. At two- nil, Haverfordwest were cruising, and with their young strikers causing the Welshpool defence no end of problems, a victory seemed certain. Then on the stroke of half-time Gareth Elliott and George Hughes went for a 50/50 ball just outside the box, and as a result of the tussle, Elliott was given a red card for seeming to aim a kick at the Welshpool player. Ross Stephens scored from the free kick.

"We asked the players to keep a clean sheet in the second half," Derek Brazil said after the game, and his team did that, and more.To compensate for the loss of Elliott, Gilderdale came on for Woodrow and slotted in next to Bobby Briers in defence. In the 50th minute, Jack Christopher harried the Welshpool defence and won the ball, as the defender slipped, and rounded the keeper to increase the lead.
The goal stunned Welshpool, and it took them a while to get their composure back, and threaten Lee Idzi's goal. Terry Evans took the captain's armband, and was an inspiration in defence with his instructions and encouragement. With County under pressure for the last half hour it was the defence that lead the way. Lee Idzi pulled off a number of wonderful saves, and on the one occassion he was beaten, the ever dependable Simon Gilderdale was on hand to clear the ball off the line. As time ran down, Welshpool's heads began to drop, and County created several chances, the last of which was a Tyrell Webbe free kick from 30 yards which only just went over the bar.
In Derek Brazil's word, the team "put their bodies on the line and defended brilliantly". Not only did they win, they won with style and determination.

County: Idzi, Evans, Hanford, Briers, Elliott, Michael (Bowen 80'), Blain, Ramasut (Webbe 62'), Christopher, Woodrow (Gilderdale 46'), Hartley.

 

 

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY ..3 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON ..O

Tom Ramasut looks on as Jack gets his third

The Aspire sponsored Haverfordwest County eased past Airbus UK Broughton courtesy of three goals from young striker Jack Christopher, and in the process climbed five places in the Welsh premier League. Manager Derek Brazil called his squad in early to go over some new tactics, and the changes obviously worked. Airbus have never won in the League at the New Bridge Meadow, and they never looked like breaking that sequence.
Both teams came out and played open and entertaining football on a pristine surface that invited good football. Airbus never looked like scoring against a solid Haverfordwest defence. The flourishing partnership of the feisty Gareth Elliott and the composed and experienced Lee Jarman, ably assisted by the efficient Craig Hanford, ensured that Lee Idzi had very little to do throughout the match. Airbus, however were never able to come to terms with the county attack. In the ninth minute, Jehu (West) Man of the Match,Jack Christopher beat the defenders to a ball that should have been dealt with shuffled past the defence and slotted the ball past Phil Palethorpe to put the home side one up. Though Airbus showed abiltiy in retaining the ball and pressuring the midfield they were never able to break through to the goal. The strike partnership of Christopher and Bowen continually posed problems for them, and the score could have been greater at half time.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with County not allowing the Wingmakers to progress into the final third, and easily making advances into the Airbus penalty area. After 69 minutes, local boy Nicky Woodrow came on for Luke Bowen, and was able to cause problems with his pace and continual harrying of the tiring Airbus back four. In the 78th minute a scramble in the visitors goalmouth lead to Jack Christopher volleying a Gareth Elliott header over the line, though the visiting defence claimed that they had cleared it.
Worse was to come for the Wingmakers, as four minutes later Jack Christopher completed his hat trick when he latched on to a sweet overhead pass from Nicky Woodrow. In the 83rd minute Christopher was applauded off the field when he was replaced by Tyrrell Webbe, and Terry Evans, who ran tirlessly in an unfamiliar midfield role, gave way to Bobby Briers.
The result moves County up to eighth in the league, and Jack Christopher to the top of the League's goalscoring list with six goals in as many games.

County; Idzi, Evans (Briers 83'), Hanford, Jarman, Elliott, Michael, Blain, Ramasut, Bowen (Woodrow 69'), Christopher (Webbe 83'), Hartley

 

RHYL .. 2 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY ..0

Nervous moments in the Rhyl goalmouth on Saturday

Haverfordwest County may have returned from Belle Vue on Saturday with no points, but they returned with their heads held high. Rhyl showed why they are top of the league with a stylish and skillful display that had the Aspire sponsored Bluebirds on the defensive for the first quarter of the match. From the start of the game Rhyl came at County who defended resolutely untill the 17th minute when Jamie Reed got through the defence to shoot home from 10yds out.
The goal galvanised Haverfordwest who, started pressing forward, and came back into the game. Rhyl were the better team in the first half, though the score could have been equal at the half, but ex-Bluebird keeper pulled off a fine save to deny Tyrrell Webbe, after the young striker had got past the Rhyl defence. Webbe, who had come on for the injured Pierce in the 27th minute, is starting to look more comfortable in the side and beginning to show why there were so many sides after his signature.
The second half began the same way the first ended, with County giving as good as they got, and matching Rhyl blow for blow. Lee Idzi was showing signs of the dislocated finger that he suffered in the first half, but Rhyl were unable to take advantage of this due to the solid Haverfordwest defence. With both teams playing open and attractive passing football, the second period was a great advert for Welsh football. Rhyl's Gareth Owen hit the crossbar with a shot from 15 yards out, and moments later Tom Ramasut send a freekick just wide of the upright, with Lee Kendall seemingly beaten.
Then came the moments that sealed the game. In the 57th minute, Dylain Blain hit a volley from 30 yards, Kendall had to scurry back and tip over as it dipped under the bar. A goal then would have given County the edge, and the result might have been different. However, two minutes later Jamie Reed volleyed home a Greg Stones cross and Rhyl were ahead 2-0.
Instead of collapsing, like other teams have done against Rhyl this season, the Aspire sponsored Bluebirds were fired up by the goal and continued their attempts to get back in the game. Even the loss of Idzi, who was replaced by Mr Versatiltiy Simon Gilderdale, did not change their attitude. With manager Derek Brazil bringing on Luke Bowen for Craig Hanford, and changing to a 3-4-3 formation, they signalled their belief that they could still get something from the game. The last 15 minutes were a complete reversal of the first 15 minutes, with Haverfordwest taking the game to Rhyl, and even when Rhyl did manage to get into the Haverfordwest penalty area Simon Gilderdale pulled off some fine saves to stop them. On the one time they did get past Gilders, Gareth Elliott was there to head the ball clear.
County nearly got a late consolation goal when a Tom Ramasut corner was met by Tyrrell Webbe, with Kendall beaten. Unfortunately, Neil Roberts was covering on the line and headed the ball clear.

County: Idzi (Gilderdale 75), Evans, Hanford (Bowen 75), Jarman, Elliott, Blain, Hartley, Ramasut, Michael, Christopher, Pierce (Webbe 27)

 

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 2 CAERSWS .. 0

 

The Bluebirds' first league win was a convincing one, marred only by the second sending-off of a striker this season.

The Meadow pitch was in tremendous shape after heavy rain, and the game set off at a real pace. For most of the early exchanges it was in fact the visitors who had a territorial advantage. The Blues defence, with a back three of Lee Jarman, Gareth Elliott and Craig Hanford, contained them very well though and Lee Idzi's efforts were confined to the very odd low, slippery shot, a succession of crosses and the occasional back pass.

When danger threatened it was usually at the other end and as early as the 7 th minute a fine run by Dyfan Pierce saw his cross whistle dangerously across the Caersws goal.

Meanwhile, the restored Nick Woodrow (pictured left) and the in-form Jack Christopher were starting to chip dangerously at the composure of the visiting defence, and the reward came in the 20 th minute, when Christopher pulled a fine ball back to Woodrow for him to hammer in from 15 yards. The Blues could have gone further ahead five minutes later and this time it was Woodrow who fed Mike Hartley out on the right, for Christopher to turn Hartley's cross in at the far post. This time though the linesman's flag intervened.

One-nil was a fair half-time score but the Blues improved on it straight after the re-start when Christopher latched on to a through ball from Pierce and cracked in a beautiful low finish as he raced through from an inside-left position.
And then it seemed, for about ten minutes, as if we'd be back with those halcyon days early last season when the partnership of Christopher and Woodrow was the talk of the league. It seemed that they might really take the Caersws defence apart, as they began to combine and threaten. The midfield, with Tom Ramasut, Dyfan Pierce and Jehu West man-of-the-match Terry Evans prominent, was well in support.
Then came the saddest moment of the game when Woodrow went on a fine run down the right, wriggled his way into the penalty area and then mis-cued his shot from about six yards. He obviously swore audibly and of course, the laws of the game are the laws of the game. It was desperately bad luck but it was a red card.

Caersws clearly felt now that they had a chance and came storming back, but the Blues defence held absolutely firm. Indeed the only real shot they got on target was a 25-yard stinger from Ralph Edwards, while Chris Melia sent one neat over-head kick over the bar. At the other end though, Tyrrell Webbe sent one left-footer just wide and the Blues were very good value for the win.

County: Idzi, Evans, Hanford, Jarman, Elliott, Michael, Hartley (Gilderdale, 88), Ramasut, Woodrow, Christopher (Webbe, 63), Pierce (Blain, 75).

 

 

BANGOR CITY .. 1 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 1

Lee Jarman celebrates as Paul Smith picks the ball out of the net.

The Aspire sponsored Bluebirds made a dream start against Bangor, with Lee Jarman scoring his first goal for the club in the second minute.In a move that seemed to have come from the training ground, Jack Christopher flicked on a perfectly flighted free kick from Simon Gilderdale, and Jarman was there to head home, and score County's 300th away goal in the Welsh Premier League.
Derek Brazil started with a five man midfield and Christopher as the lone striker, against a side who are tipped to finish in the top four, and who scored six goals last weekend. Simon Gilderdale played in the unfamiliar position, for him, of right back, and Terry Evans moved up into the midfield, as the Gaffer went for more height in defence against the tall physical attack of the Citizens. The tactic worked, as County had the better of the play in the first half in front of a vocal and partisan crowd of 468, and the defence held firm and Lee Idzi was rarely troubled.
Bangor manager, Nev Powell, sent his team out early for the second half, and the tactic galvanised his side who pressed hard in the second 45 minutes. However, the County defence remained solid, keeping the large Bangor forwards at bay. In the 55th minute Bangor were awarded a dubious penalty, when goalscorer Jarman was judged to have fouled Les Davies in the area. and Marc Limbert slotted home the resultant spot kick. Bangor continued to press for a second goal, and in the 70th minute Brazil responded by bringing on Dylan Blain for Terry Evans and Tyrrell Webbe for Paul Michael, and switching to a 4-4-2 formation to ease the pressure on the defence. Bangor resorted to playing the long ball up to Les Davies, but the flourishing defensive partnership of Jarman and Elliott easily dealt with the tactic.Bangor only had one real chance in the second period, when a Sion Edwards volley hit the woodwork, and the Bluebirds could have stolen the game with a couple of chances in the last few minutes. In the 85th minute Elliott limped off to be replaced by Bobby Briers but the defence still held firm.
The Bluebird's can feel proud of the result as Bangor have won nine of the previous encounters at Farrar Road, and in the previoius 13 games there have outscored Haverfordwest 35-11.

After the game Nev Powell agreed that a draw was a fair result over the 90 minutes. "Derek set his stall out with one up front, and got an early goal and defended well. We changed around a bit at half time to get a bit more pace, got the goal and had a couple of half chances. But over 90 minutes a draw was a fair result."

County: Idzi, Gilderdale, Hanford, Jarman, Elliott (Briers 85'), Michael (Webbe 70'), Hartley, Ramasut, Evans (Blain 70'), Christopher, Pierce.

 

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY .. 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN .. 1

The Bluebirds grafted out a deserved point in a clash with a Carmarthen side who look very much like becoming one of the season's front runners.Once again Derek Brazil had shuffled the many cards in his hand and for a brief while it looked as if the Bluebirds might suffer from having too many options and too many changes. Brazil played three experienced central defenders (Gareth Elliott, Simon Gilderdale and Lee Jarman) in a line along the back, with Terry Evans tucked in just ahead of him, and the new formation seemed for a while to be uncertain in reading one another. This was glaringly so when, for the second time in a week, the Blues conceded a soft 2 nd minute goal as Gilderdale, Jarman and Lee Idzi converged on the same ball and left Danny Thomas with a simple tap-in for a Carmarthen goal.
For fully half an hour, Carmarthen came steaming forward once again, although they had surprisingly few clear-cut chances. Sacha Walters was roaming dangerously and Nick Palmer threatened intermittently in midfield, but the Blues defence began to settle in and the visitors only had one really clear chance for a second goal, when Jarman did very well to get back and to clear Walters' shot off the line.

Despite Carmarthen's territorial dominance, there were more chances at the other end. In the 10 th minute keeper Neil Thomas beat out Jack Christopher's shot, and Tyrrell Webbe should have done better with the rebound. The young striker did do better in the 30 th minute when Tom Ramasut and Christopher played him in and his shot hit the post.

As half-time approached we saw the first signs that the Bluebirds might make a real game of this. Christopher kept troubling the powerful Mark Dodds, in the air and on the ground. Ramasut and Dyfan Pierce began to spark a little in midfield, the defence grew steadier and the interval arrived with just a single-goal margin.

Derek Brazil's half-time talk seemed to have worked wonders as a re-invigorated Bluebirds side began 45 minutes of real dominance. From 45 to 75 minutes, Jehu (West) Man of the Match Ramasut absolutely ruled the midfield, a previously quiet Mike Hartley began to threaten in the role that best suits him, of an out and-out right-winger, and the visitors were being bombarded.

It was Ramasut who sparked the equalizer when his curling ball behind the centre half sent Christopher in on a diagonal run, and the striker hammered in a low shot for his 3rd goal in 3 games.

There could have been further goals, and it has to be said that they could have come at either end, notably when crosses from Hartley and Carmarthen sub Lee Hudgell flew untouched across either goal. But given Carmarthen's strong first half and the Bluebirds' excellent second period, a draw was the right result.

County: Idzi; Evans, Jarman, Gilderdale, Elliott, Michael (Hanford, 65), Pierce, Ramasut (Blain, 88), Webbe (Woodrow, 76), Christopher, Hartley.

 

 

GAP CONNAH'S QUAY.. 2 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY.. 1