One Step Closer

After the soaking we got last week, things had to change. We often joke about the game versus Cefn Druids in 2022, when we made our way to the stands for the only time due to the downpour, but when you arrive home soaked after a loss, it’s no fun. We ended up deciding that moving to the East Stand would be better. 

We arrived earlier than usual as we didn’t want to arrive when many people had taken their seats, then them having to move as they didn’t want to be within close proximity to the drum. A handful did move, but a lot joined in with the camaraderie of it all. We are all there to support the blues anyway, so it’s all in good-natured fun. 

The opening 30 minutes of the game was quite even to be fair. You could tell from the off that both teams' midfield would be crucial to both sides, especially with threats of Ben Ahmun and Louis Lloyd up front. Caernarfon taking a more physical approach, but obviously not a surprise as they are often commended for this style.

From a Haverfordwest point of view at this stage, the Bluebirds were winning a lot of the midfield but seemed to lack creativity. A common issue recently. 

One move that could have been a sequence that would have been shown again and again was when Greg started an attack from our defence halfway through the first half. He stormed through the middle, exchanging quick passes as he got to more attacking positions. A quick few precise passes saw Rhys Abbruzzese get the ball outside the box. He took a thunderous shot, which didn’t take anyone by surprise as he has the quality in his wheelhouse, but unfortunately, it went over the bar. This got people more enthusiastic as we were on top and felt that we were the team most likely to get the first goal.

Just before the half ended, Greg won the ball back again, this time with his midfield partner in crime, Corey Shephard, finding the ball outside of the box. He shot, which goalkeeper Ben Hughes caught fairly easily.

Half-time arrived, and it’s getting colder and wetter; so a coffee is definitely needed. The Get The Boys A Lift coffee van is there as always, and the coffee and hot chocolates warm us up. I love having the van here as it normalises the conversation around mental health, plus providing good quality hot drinks and snacks. Win-win!

The Bluebirds started the 2nd half strongly. There was now more desire and creativity in attack.

We win a corner in the 52nd minute, and breakout star this season, Jacob Owen, is on corner detail today. The ball floats in closest to the front post, Ben Ahmun loses his marker easily, running from the edge of the 6-yard box, rises like a salmon and connects his head to the ball perfectly, and it thunders into the net! 

An excellent start to the half…Until a minute later, we conceded a penalty in the other end.

Now, I am not questioning Louis Lloyd’s footballing ability; he’s a terrific player, but if he wants to join Tom Daley in LA in 2028, I think he would do a great job there too. Whilst there is no doubt Kyle McCarthy had a leg stuck out, Lloyd effectively has to jump over the trailing leg to win the penalty. It is never a penalty in my eyes, but those kinds of "fouls" are often given in the modern game.

Despite Zac dancing on the goal line and diving the correct way, Lloyd equalises.

Naturally, chants telling Caernarfon that we know what they are and their questionable parentage echoed from the noisy part of the East Stand.

As conditions worsened throughout the game, I was a bit perplexed with some of the long balls from both sides. When the ball was in the air you could see the wind preventing the ball from travelling further than it would in non-windy circumstances. 

It wouldn’t be a match blog without mentioning referees, would it? Now we are fully aware of how tough the job of officials in football is, but all we want is consistency. We don’t seem to get any consistent decision-making, and this goes across all teams, but we have seemed to be at the wrong end of some questionable decisions this season. One type of foul would be a free-kick to Caernarfon, and the same wouldn’t be enough to award Haverfordwest a free-kick. Either it is or it isn’t. Either is fine, just make it the same for both teams.

Both teams were going for the win in the latter stages here, whilst Haverfordwest didn’t need to win, Caernarfon had to to try and come within 2 points of Haverfordwest in third. In every attack from either side you thought they would score. Full credit to both midfield's and defences as it was a great battle to watch.

A late in the game save from Zac, who tips over a free-kick over the bar, makes sure both teams go away from the game with one point apiece. 

A draw was the fair result today and keeps us in full control of finishing third. The next game away to Cardiff Met is important, as all we need to do is draw, and we almost guarantee a third-place finish. What a season we’re having!

Full time, Haverfordwest 1-1 Caernarfon Town. Attendance 468