Dafabet Welsh Premier

Haverfordwest County 1
Rhyl 1

THE Bluebirds at last garnered both a goal and a point, but the hope that was as important, of going on to a win, just eluded them in a rather scrappy but often exciting game, writes Robert Nisbet.
For the first few minutes the Blues seemed to pump everything over the top for their front runners and Jordan Follows was twice caught offside. Then he improved the approach by making a weaving run down the left, only to be tripped as he was inside the box. As Luke Borrelli took the penalty his mind must have been crowded with thoughts of that miss against Newtown but this time he hit the target with an emphatic drive, even though the ball was parried into the roof of the net by Terry McCormick’s despairing dive.
For a while some of the home side’s confidence seemed to be returning and for the next twenty minutes they played some neat attacking passing football, working the ball more through midfield. Indeed they seemed to have doubled their lead when, after a very good move, Greg Walters’ shot was parried out to Kieran Howard who had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.
But the next goal came in fact, on the half-hour mark, when a foul on the edge of the box let in Rhyl’s Connor Bell for a free kick which he was able to curl through the defence, maybe with the aid of a deflection. 
For the next 15 minutes Rhyl got right on top and the Blues will have been glad to hold the scores level till half-time. Craig Morris, who pulled off several fine saves during the game, made one excellent stop from Ibou Touray. At the other end Borrelli, who was proving a dangerous attacker was thwarted by keeper McCormick who was alert enough to get out to pluck the ball away from the winger’s head about 15 yards from goal.
The Blues got far more into the game in the second half even though in the end Rhyl may have had a slight edge. Borrelli came close to getting in twice early in the half, once when Walters’ shot was blocked to him and once as he chased a flick through from John Roberts. The closest shave came when a Follows run ended with a ball back to Declan Carroll whose shot cannoned away off McCormick’s legs.
But Rhyl had just as many chances at the other end and once again the Blues were indebted to some staunch defending in which Sam Rodon and Dale Griffiths were always at the heart. One real positive the Blues can take from the game is Gonzo’s successful returnBall sponsor Doco of CBD Garden Services. The Programme sponsor was Brian Daye of Bri’s Taxi. This Saturday, Bluebirds enter the Welsh Cup in Round 3 with a home tie against Airbus UK, kick-off 2.30pm.

Haverfordwest County:  Craig Morris, Ryan Batley, Dale Griffiths, Sam Rodon, Spencer Williams, Sean Pemberton (John Roberts 72'), Greg Walters, Kieran Howard, Steffan Williams (16. Craig Moses 61'), Jordan Follows, Luke Borrelli (Declan Carroll 63')    
Sub not used: Glen Fiteni