Haverfordwest County 1-1 Cefn Druids

ELLIOT Scotcher’s injury time free kick was enough for Haverfordwest County to salvage a point against Cefn Druids at The Meadow.

The Bluebirds were trailing after Josef Faux struck for the visitors early in the second half, who then had Ryan Kershaw sent off. It still seemed the hosts were heading to a frustrating defeat against the side bottom of the table when Scotcher's 25 yard effort deflected off the wall and into the net.

The early stages belonged to the visitors as centre back Jacob Wise headed the first real chance wide of the near post.

Further openings for the Druids saw Christoph Aziamale find space in the area before drilling a left foot shot wastefully over – before striker partner Sam Phillips also blasted high and wide after cutting in from the left wing.

The Bluebirds responded though as Danny Williams broke free down the left and floated in a cross that evaded Ben Fawcett by inches.

Midway through the half the contest began to heat up, although more so through pettiness than goalmouth incident, as both Phillip Mooney and Ryan Kershaw saw yellow for the Druids after mistimed tackles.

The hosts then fashioned another opening when Williams teed up Ricky Watts, but he hesitated before seeing his low cross-shot deflected past the post.

Before the break Wayne Jones’ side were dealt a blow though, as Fawcett limped off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Mark Jones – and then the best chance of the half came at the other end.

Phillips skipped past Watts before delivering a low cross to Aziamale, but he was unable to connect properly from eight yards out.

However, any regrets Bruno Lopes had about his side not being ahead at the break were promptly forgotten after the restart.

Less than a minute in, it was Faux who pounced on some hesitant defending to cut onto his right foot and fire a low shot which cannoned off Wojciech Gajda and into the net.

In truth, the keeper would have been disappointed not to stop it although he did make some amends when Aziamale outmuscled home skipper Sean Pemberton - but lost his composure when through on goal and Gajda smothered.

You sensed frustration then growing in the home ranks when Jack Wilson, quiet given his recent standout performances, would have been relieved to see only yellow after catching Naim Arsan late.

Home manager Jones, who had also sent on Cameron Keetch at half time, then reacted by sending on another striker in Marcus Griffiths for Pemberton.

And momentum did switch around the hour mark, as firstly Elliot Scotcher went close with a dipping 20-yard free kick that Druids keeper Michael Jones did well to tip over.

And then the visitors went down to ten men after Kershaw, booked for tripping Fawcett in the first half, then saw a second yellow and subsequent red for doing similar to Watts.

It was a justified call from referee Bryn Markham-Jones, who then promptly booked Lopes after vociferous protests came from the away dugout.

Ironically, it was the Druids who threatened next on the counter as sub Jamie Reed was chopped down by Watts, who was also booked for his troubles, and the resultant free kick came to nothing.

In the closing stages the Bluebirds began to press though, and Kurtis Rees’ cross field ball found Wilson, who controlled it first time but then could only stab his angled shot wide under pressure.

The Druids missed a chance to seal the win when Faux’s long ball forward bounced over the head of Watts and sat up nicely for sub Charley Edge – but his volleyed shot was beaten away by Gajda.

The glut of yellow cards continued as Wise and Josh Green were booked for the visitors, as was home boss Jones for protesting following a melee between both sets of players.

But after Rees volleyed wide from inside the area, the game seemed up for the Bluebirds when Williams was tripped 25 yards from goal – and Scotcher’s effort deflected off the wall to leave Jones rooted as the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

It was enough to extend the unbeaten run to three games for Jones and co, who in the end would have pleased to take a point from an untidy display.

Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Daniel Summerfield, Trystan Jones (Cameron Keetch HT), Sean Pemberton (Captain - Marcus Griffiths 57), Scott Tancock, Ricky Watts, Ben Fawcett (Mark Jones 40), Jack Wilson, Kurtis Rees, Danny Williams, Elliot Scotcher.

Substitutes not used: Jack Britton, Matthew Turner (GK).

Cefn Druids: Mike Jones, Naim Arsan, Josh Green, Phil Mooney, Aaron Simpson, Alex Darlington (Iwan Cartwright 63), Sam Phillips (Charley Edge 74), Joe Faux, Christoph Aziamale (Jamie Reed 61), Ryan Kershaw, Jacob Wise.

Substitutes not used: Harry Brazel, Dawid Szczepaniak.

Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones.

Assistants: Cilan Thomas & Ryan Kenny.

Fourth Official: Nigel Richards.