Stumbling out of the blocks

The new season was here at last. After a very good pre-season and a valiant effort in Europe, it was time for the Cymru Premier to take centre stage once again. 

I would be lying if I said I was as confident as last year. Not to bang the drum too much about our departures, but losing 4 of our record-breaking defence has weakened us. This is by no means any disrespect to our current players, though, Jones (AFC Fylde, National League North), Owen, The New Saints, Tabone, (Southport, National League North) and Jenkins, (Newport City EFL League 2), all leaving have left a huge gap at the back. As fans, we are never happy with transfers, but it has been a disappointing window. Time left to go, of course but by this time last year we had 6 through the door.

Anyway, back to the first game of the season. Under the lights at the Ogi Bridge Meadow, you simply can’t beat it. The clubhouse was being filled with a nervous but excited energy and alcohol going down a treat. The Penybont boys always travel reasonably well and contributed to the profit margin of the bar!

As we left the Clubhouse to go to the East Stand, standing, the smells of noodles and other Asian treats filled the air of Chinese Noodles Noodle Bar.

A polite exchange we had with some guys that we never do came at the hands of the refereeing officials about 20 minutes before kick off. Bryn Markham-Jones, Johnathan Bebee Bryant and Connor Thomas. They were genuinely decent guys and we had a conversation with them about the Premier League, general football and the new VAR Lite system that the Cymru Prem will be using. We assumed it would be from this evening, however Bryn Markham Jones confirmed it will be used from the start of the split as only two teams have it up and running yet.

Whilst not in chronological order, I do want to give the officials credit for todays game. We often berate officials in this league and oftentimes rightfully so; but not today’s game. I thought all decisions were fair for either side and the referee tried to let the game going where he could. The red card for James Crole was a talking point but a red was the correct decision. 

The players walked out to Hi Ho Silver lining and the game had begun! The drum was banging and the chants were going. This feeling was one that we had all missed!

The game started quite cagey. Like two wild animals eyeing each other up ready to pounce on the other ones mistakes. Haverfordwest were settling into the game nicely. Alaric Jones was stopping any potential dangers with ease, Greg Walters was getting the ball from defence and running through the middle, similar to what Jenks was doing last year. Corey Shephard was pinging the ball around like he was playing in the park. Ben Fawcett and Ahmun had good chances. 

Credit to the Penybont goalkeeper, though, any chances our Ben’s had he made light work of. Frustrating really. 

Rhys Abu possibly had the best cross of the half, a Beckham-esque cross from deep was aching for a diving header but it came to nothing.

Half time came and we do feel we had the best chances and should have been one or two up.

The second half started very strong for Penybont. 2 quick fire chances reminded us of the quality the opposition had and why they finished second in the Cymru Premier last season.

Sheppy had a great chance which sailed over the bar. We surely had to score with all of these chances being made?!

Crole gets sent off for an off the ball scuffle and big chants of “cheerio” echo around the Meadow. We just had to go on and win…surely.

Fawcett proceeds to have a good 1 on 1 chance which is saved well by Luke Armstrong who has been playing like prime Gordon Banks and nothing was stopping him.

A long ball by Armstrong sees the ball sail into the box and either Alaric Jones has to just boot it away or Luc Rees has to come out quicker. Neither of which happened and Mael Davies gets the touch to make it one nil to the visitors. Frustrating to say the least. No communication between the two.

A lot of the game saw us go for long balls instead of just pass it through the middle. I find this baffling as we have such good passing players why we’re choosing to go long is confusing to me.

A big positive today has to be Iori Humphreys and we could feel his annoyance as the game progressed. When Penybont were down to 10 the amount of space Iori had was insane. He was demanding the ball but it never came to him. Now I'm not pretending that Iori is the next Cafu, however, he is improving game on game and never shies away from the ball. The next moment, Iori gets substituted, and we were so annoyed. “Iori Humphreys, he’s one of our own!”.

Hawkins proceeds to play at RWB which I absolutely hate. He is so good in the final third in the centre of the pitch, he is totally wasted there. I think he may feel the same way, as he was everywhere on that pitch from that point on when we were chasing an equaliser.

We continue to make chances, Ahmun a 1 on 1, which is tackled brilliantly by Kirkough. Ahmun later hits the bar. Greg’s chance hits the bar. Ahmun shoots just at Armstrong. It just wasn’t to be.

One of the last chances we did have came at the hands (feet!) of Fawcett. In hindsight, he should have either shot the first time or gone down as he was touched in the box. Came to nothing.

A disheartening game, to be fair. With the amount of chances we had we should have at least scored 2 or 3, even with Armstrong’s goalkeeping heroics. 

The way the game went should not have been a surprise as Penybont did what Penybont do best. Soak up pressure, pass the ball about and score from their limited chances. Efficient. 

A tale of two halves for sure.

As I edit this, Haverfordwest have announced two signings: midfielder Panashe Makwiramiti and defender Tom Shepherd. Hopefully they can contribute straight away and an away game to Flint is a baptism of fire for sure!

We dust ourselves down and go again. 

In Tony We Trust and Up The F*ckin Bluebirds!

Full time Haverfordwest 0-1 Penybont. Attendance 841