Haverfordwest ended a run of five straight league losses, and picked up their first home win of the season in the Cymru Premier, as a strangely hesitant Flint side were unable to find enough guile to break down the hosts defence. It’s not as if Flint didn’t have enough possession, it’s just that they didn’t seem to know what to do with it, and all too often gave the ball back to their opponents far too cheaply.
Most of the opportunities created by the Silkmen tended to be shots from just outside the area, as they were unable to make any headway into the crowded box of the home side. Jake Phillips fizzed a shot just wide from 17 yards as he was given a glimpse of goal.
A nice turn by Elliott Reeves then set up Ben Hughes for a long range effort, but although on target it didn’t seriously trouble Haverfordwest keeper Ifan Knott, who fell comfortably onto the ball.
The awarding of a highly contentious free kick, just outside the Flint box, led to the hosts taking the lead on 33 minutes. Rhys Abbruzzese struck the set piece over the wall and it beat Jack Flint on his near post.
The away side tried to respond, and Reeves went on a mazy run, having received the ball, but was again forced to shoot from just outside of the box, and again the effort went the wrong side of the post.
Not for the first time this season, Flint were caught out early in the second half, as they shipped another goal. Corey Shepherd received a pass from Ben Fawcett, bisecting two defenders in the corner of the 18 yard box, before completely wrongfooting them by applying a clever back heel, which Dan Hawkins was able to run onto. And he hit a crisp, first time shot that flew into the net from 16 yards.
Flint managed to get themselves back into the game, albeit somewhat fortuitously, with half an hour remaining. Phillips received the ball out wide on the right, and swung in a deep cross, that sailed over Knott and under his crossbar at the far post.
It was now a case of whether or not the visitors could take advantage of this slice of luck and force their way back into the game, against a side that was low on confidence, having lost their last five games.
Phillips supplied a cross to Reeves on the 6 yard line, but the close attention of Dylan Rees meant he was unable to direct his header on target. Maire then supplied a cross onto the head of Jack Thorn, but with a home defender breathing down his neck, his effort failed to seriously trouble Knott.
The points were made safe for the home side in the 89th minute, when substitute Iori Humphreys headed home. From a short corner, the ball was crossed towards the far post, and Flint could only palm it out onto the head of Owain Jones who headed back across goal and Humphreys had the easiest of chances to nod it over the line.
Flint could have had the last word, when Isaac Lee picked the ball up, strode forward and hit a powerful shot with a bit of dip, that Knott just about managed to shovel clear, but all in all, it was too little too late.
Line Ups :
Haverfordwest County – I. Knott, D. Rees (c), R. Abbruzzese, E. Scotcher, A. Jones, G. Walters, R. Watts, C. Shepherd, B. Fawcett, D. Hawkins (I. Humphreys 83), B. Ahmun (O. Jones 83). Unused Subs – L. Rees (GK), P. Makwiramiti, L. Owen, A. Watkins, W. Hughes
Flint Town United – J. Flint, I. Lee, M. Burke (D. Davies 65), J. Canavan, H. Owen (c), J. Thorn, J. Phillips, B. Hughes (G. Maire 65), E. Reeves, B. Wynne (J. Jones 31), D. Stephenson (K. Imariagbe 83). Unused Subs – D. Szczepaniak (GK), Cm. Ferguson
Flint MOM – Jake Canavan (produced some classy midfield play)
