Dafabet Welsh Premier 
Haverfordwest County 0
Gap Connah’s Quay 2

THE Bluebirds were left facing the tough realities of life in the Welsh Premier after they had matched their experienced opponents for stretches of the game only to be crowded out by a big, strong side who were able to attack the ball a little more successfully at key moments.
The Nomads came into this game as a real enigma since, having invested heavily in experience and talent in the close season, they made a poor start to their campaign. But the appointment of Andy Morrison as Director of Football seems to have rejuvenated them and they came into this match on the back of a 4-0 beating of Carmarthen. 
The Blues had a horror start after 2 minutes when Scott James could only parry a shot in and George Horan was able to poach a goal from close range. But the setback seemed to prompt the Blues into their best patch of the game. For the next 15 minutes and indeed for most of the first half they were playing some fine attacking passing football and threatening the Nomads’ goal. Kieran Howard, who was playing extremely well in midfield, curled in several dangerous corners and free kicks and good crosses came in from Greg Walters and Declan Carroll. But it seemed that on the day the big Nomads’ back line, with their wealth of Football League experience, were able to hit the aerial challenges with that ounce more conviction and the Blues’ chances never came to fruition. 
There had been another setback in the 19th minute when Jack Christopher twisted an ankle and had to leave the field. His replacement was the interesting figure of Craig Moses, playing for the first time since July but a player with plenty of Welsh Premier goals to his name. He may not yet be fully fit and wasn’t able to lead his forwards to the promised land on this occasion, but he may yet prove a key figure in getting the Blues back to goal-scoring ways. 
The Blues came nearest to a goal when Walters, prompted by Ricky Watts, curled in a cross which Moses touched aside to Carroll, for Declan’s cross to crash back off the post. It was still 1-0 at half-time. 
The Nomads had rather the better of the second half, in which their strong uncomplicated game saw them pump a series of high balls into the box. James pulled off a few good saves in this half, including one blinder from Les ‘The Truck’ Davies. At the other end the Blues’ best attack saw Moses win a good ball on halfway and exchange quick passes with John Roberts, only for Roberts, when a shot might have been on, to square the ball back to Moses and the ball was scrambled away. 
Horan was able to get his second goal in the 78th minute with another piece of goalmouth poaching, and that was the story of the Bluebirds’ afternoon. Strength and experience played their parts in the Nomads’ win, as did, from the Blues’ point of view, an element of  bad luck. It’s when you have a temporary goal drought that the half-chances don’t quite click. This was a brave performance with no lack of effort and enterprise, but the Nomads had the edge. 
The Ball Sponsor on Saturday was Rob Cockburn of LBS. 
Next Saturday the Blue travel to play Llandudno, before they return to the Conygar Bridge Meadow to play Rhyl on Saturday November 28. 
Haverfordwest County:  Scott James,  Ricky Watts,  Spencer Williams, Ryan Batley, Sam Rodon, Sean Pemberton, Kieran Howard (Steffan Williams 66'), Greg Walters, Declan Carroll (John Roberts 56'), Jack Christopher (Craig Moses 29'), Luke Borrelli . Sub not used: 22. Glen Fiteni