HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 2

CONNAH'S QUAY NOMADS 0

The Nomads were late arriving for this game and always looked a step behind the Bluebirds.

Deryn Brace made two enforced changes from the side which lost to Cwmbran in the League Cup 18-year-old Richard Hughes made his Welsh Premier debut, coming in at centre half for the injured Rob Jones, and Chris O'Sullivan replaced Dylan Blain.

Hughes played extremely well in a defence which held an almost total grip over a patchy Nomads attack, but O'Sullivan looked as if he will need time to get back to his best.

The FBM-sponsored Bluebirds did most of the early attacking, but it never looked too menacing. Lee John and Richie Adams contrived to probe away in a manner that was more niggling than really dangerous.

But the breakthrough came on 22 minutes when Colin Loss took a free kick from well out on the right and looped it over the defence. Wyn Thomas headed powerfully back for Adams to nip in at the far post and thump his header home.

For the rest of the first half, the Blues' attacking did not look too dangerous although there was one real chance in the 41st minute, when John went on a fine solo run and put O'Sullivan through, only for the winger to scuff a shot just wide.

The home side started the second half much more brightly but Nomads keeper Smith, fired at from open play and crowded at corner kicks, continued to play immaculately.

Lee Hudgell, who came on as sub for the injured Wayne Jones, was starting to threaten on the left, and Adams and John menaced intermittently.

From 75 minutes on, the Nomads set about the predictable late assault of all sides who are one goal down.

The Blues got men back and never looked really likely to relinquish their lead, but then, in the last minute, scored a neat goal.

Lee Brown, who had taken the ball to the left corner flag to play out time, saw the chance to turn inside and flicked a ball to John, who in turn crossed to sub Tim Hicks. The striker buried the chance very stylishly from 12 yards out to seal the win.

County: Kendall; Brace, Wayne Jones (Hudgell, 33), Palmer, Thomas, Hughes, O'Sullivan, Brown, Adams (Hicks, 82), Loss, John. Sub not used: Catlin.

Tote: There were no winners again this week. Numbers were 6, 13 and 43. The prize money for next week will be £1,500.