Dafabet Welsh Premier

Haverfordwest County 1

Rhyl 1

THE Bluebirds’ flickering hopes of staying in the Welsh Premier were all but extinguished after a game whose match stats suggested near-total domination but in which the ball just would not hit the back of the net.

The Bluebirds, playing into a stiff wind in the first half, had the better of exchanges, with several of Kieran Howard’s corners causing trouble, with a header from Sam Rodon being scraped out by a defender at the foot of the post, and others from Sean Pemberton and Greg Walters whistling wide. Then, in the 44th minute, the Blues lost a poor ball in midfield and were punished as Danny Gossett nipped in to score.

The dominance increased in the second half, with the introduction of Declan Carroll adding a spark. Over the game the Blues had around 10 corners to Rhyl’s one and a whole string of blocked and saved shots. They scored just once, when a fine free kick from Howard was headed on by Carroll for Rodon to apply the finishing touch.

The drama heightened in the 71st minute when Rhyl’s Zac Corbett received a red card after a bad tackle on Walters. Rhyl rarely got out of their own half after that, and there was a huge appeal for a penalty in the 80th minute when Luke Borrelli appeared to be sent flying by a push.

The Blues offered some fine attacking football in the build-up with Walters, Ricky Watts and Carroll all prominent but, as so often in the past, the final clinical finish was not there.

The Blues’ last match is on Saturday, when they travel to play Port Talbot Town kick-off 5.15.

Haverfordwest: Craig Morris, Dale Griffiths (Declan Carroll, 48), Sam Rodon, Sean Pemberton Greg Walters, Ricky Watts, Kieran Howard (Spencer Williams, 72), Tomos Wellington, Nicky Palmer Jason Bertorelli, Luke Borrelli .

Sub not used: Kristian Speake.