Dafabet Welsh Premier

Newtown 3

Haverfordwest County 0

This was obviously a bitterly disappointing result but by no means a disappointing performance. Against a top and in-form side the Blues had reached the 80th minute with a one-goal deficit and hopes alive of grabbing an equalizer when they were hit by a 2-in-2-minute burst.

Early exchanges were brought to a dramatic end in the 20th minute when the Robins’ Neil Mitchell picked up a ball out of defence on the edge of the penalty area and blasted in an unstoppable half-volley.

For the next 20 minutes Newtown pressed forward but, as so often, the Bluebirds’ rearguard showed itself capable of staunch last-ditch defending. Remarkably, in a passage of play in which the home side had a big territorial advantage, there was only one real shot on the visitors’ goal and that was well saved by Scott James.

Having dug in well till half-time and being able to re-group, the Blues came out for the second half hunting the equalizer. Each side had a shot cleared off the line in the early minutes of the second half, before Jordan Follows found himself with a chance only for his shot to curl into the side netting. Scott James pulled off a point-blank save from ex-Inverness Caledonian striker Jason Oswell, but the Bluebirds kept coming forward.

And how often have we seen the scenario whereby a side chasing an equalizer presses forward just too far and gets hit with a second goal? In the Blues’ case it was a case of second and third goals within the space of two minutes, the first a scrambled effort from Mitchell, the third from Oswell. A harsh reminder maybe that life in the Welsh Premier is tough, but there was enough grit and determination in the Blues’ display to hope they will soon see better days.

On Saturday the Bluebirds travel to play Connah’s Quay, before they return to the Conygar Bridge Meadow on Saturday, September 12 to play Llandudno.

Haverfordwest County: 1. Scott James, 2. Ricky Watts, 3. Ryan Batley, 4. Sean Pemberton, 5. Dale Griffiths, 6. Sam Rodon, 8. Greg Walters, 9. Jordan Follows, 10. Declan Carroll (7. Luke Borrelli 68'), 17. Jack Christopher (15. John Roberts 67'), 18. Nicky Palmer. Subs not used: 11. Steffan Williams, 14. Kieran Howard, 20. Spencer Williams.