Different faces, same result, Bluebirds lose again (From Western Telegraph)

Different faces, same result, Bluebirds lose again

Haverfordwest County 0 CONNAHS QUAY NOMADS 3

The Nomads were stronger and quicker to the ball throughout this undistinguished encounter and deserved the victory against a County side who surely paid the price for too much chopping and changing.

Manager John Lewis made no fewer than five changes for this game, bringing in four new midweek signings, in goalkeeper Steve Morris, left back Jason Price, striker Ali Abdol and midfielder Philippe Mbala.

It is very hard to believe that these new recruits were (or can be) any improvement on the local players they replaced, with Abdol in particular having a poor game, winning not a ball all game.

Mbala did show signs of skill and promise, but generally the midfield gave every sign of an understandable lack of cohesion, despite a good display by Deryn Brace.

Mercifully, there were good performances also by Wades Electrical Man-of-the-Match Dylan Blain and, ironically, by Marcus Taylor and Nathan Thomas, two of the locals who had been relegated to the subs bench. The most controversial change was the replacing of in-form keeper Peter Blain with Morris.

John Lewis had told committee members that he felt Blain should be rested after big defeats at Barry and Caernarfon, but Blains many fans in the Meadow crowd will be sceptical.

The plan which the committee had put together at the time of John Lewis arrival was for a squad of predominantly local players to be augmented by three or four experienced professionals.

Regrettably, although most of the local players have played with consistency and effort, the hard core has been changeable.

Dean Philpott, Gary Twynham, Gareth Elliott, Jeff McLean and Mark Greedy have been and gone and the local youngsters must be wondering who will be alongside them from week to week.

Of Saturdays game, there is little of distinction to report. Richie Adams went close after 10 minutes, before the Blues were hit by a double strike in the 32nd and 34th minutes, first when Stuart Terry seized on a weak back header by Eston Chiverton and then when Andy Griffiths curled a fine free kick round the Blues wall and past the static Morris.

The Nomads deserved their half-time lead and they deserved to go three up, when Stuart Rain nipped into an alarming gap in defence in the 53rd minute and wrongfooted Morris.

The Bluebirds did make some fist of getting back into the game in the last quarter. Marcus Taylor threatened twice and Nathan Thomas sent one rasping shot just wide.

The Blues now face two vital games. They travel to play Flexsys Cefn Druids on Sunday, March 3rd and, although the Druids are languishing, the James Williams-sponsored County will be mindful of their hosts 2-0 win over Carmarthen on Saturday.

A bus will leave the Bridge Meadow for Cefn at 7.30 on the Sunday and supporters wishing to travel can contact Barry Webb on (01437) 767167. Then, on Saturday March 9th, the Blues entertain Oswestry, thrashed 8-2 by Cwmbran on Saturday.

Last Saturdays match sponsors were W. S. Wade, while programme and match ball sponsors were Station Car Hire.

Haverfordwest County: Steve Morris, Norman Parselle, Jason Price, Deryn Brace, Eston Chiverton, Dylan Blain, Andrew Smith, Grant Thomas, Ali Abdol, Richie Adams, Lee Hudgell. Subs: Philippe Mbala (for Hudgell, 40), Nathan Thomas (for Smith, 55), Marcus Taylor (for Adams, 72). lThe Bluebirds AGM will take place at the Bridge Meadow at 7.30 pm and will discuss a re-structuring of the clubs committee system.