Welsh League Division 1: Haverfordwest County 0-3 Penybont

It was billed as a big night for Haverfordwest County.

Sean Pemberton’s 200th appearance, a chance to move within two points of the leaders, and an opportunity to bounce back from a deflating League Cup defeat at Ynysygerwn.

But it ultimately fell flat for the Bluebirds as they were outplayed by Penybont, with the Bridgend side scoring three times to take a commanding eight point lead over their hosts in the title race. In fact it is Cambrian and Clydach who now lie second, three points better off than the Bluebirds, after winning 3-0 at Taffs Well last night.

The visitors took the lead through Cullen Kinsella’s scrappy goal as Haverfordwest struggled to create chances in the early stages, and although Wayne Jones’ side did fashion moments of threat towards the end of the half – clinical strikes after the break from Kostya Georgievsky and Kinsella again made for a real statement of intent from Penybont.

Bluebirds behind at the break:

As expected the game kicked off at a real pace but early chances were rare. Jack Wilson’s long throw was headed away from under his own bar by Sam Rodon, who went on to give a commanding display in the Penybont defence against his former side.

At the other end home keeper Steve Hall had to react quickly to push away Curtis Hudson’s close range shot.

But then on 20 minutes came the opener. Kane Owen’s in-swinging corner prompted a scramble in the Haverfordwest box and the ball fell to Kinsella who fired in a low left foot shot from eight yards.

Moments after Hudson and Luke Borrelli, another former Bluebird, both threatened from a swift counter attack and then the home side were indebted to Hall for keeping it at 1-0 as he denied Georgievsky from point blank range.

The lively Hudson was also giving Haverfordwest left back Leon Luby a testing time while the home side struggled to make inroads themselves – until the final few minutes of the half when they suddenly fashioned three quick chances.

First Jack Wilson struck an angled shot straight at Penybont keeper Rhys Wilson and a minute later a rebound fell to Fawcett six yards out, but he uncharacteristically mishit his effort and Wilson made the save.

Then right on half time an Elliot Scotcher free kick was met by Tim Hicks but the centre back couldn’t divert his header on target.

Penybont put it to bed:

That brief purple patch was as good as it got for Haverfordwest though, and within 20 minutes of the second half starting he contest was over.

Firstly Borrelli broke free in the area but his low cross was well cut out by Luby before the second goal did arrive 56 minutes in.

A Hicks clearance was cut out by Kinsella, who duly delivered a deep cross to the back post that Georgievsky brought down before steadying himself and hammering a shot across Hall into the bottom corner. It was a clinical finish and one that left the home side with a mountain to climb.

The same player then volleyed across the face of goal before Kinsella settled matters on 64 minutes, skipping past two tackles into the area before burying a low shot that again left Hall with little chance.

From there the contest petered out somewhat.

Pemberton was inches from a goal on his landmark night as he headed a Scotcher corner against the bar, with the latter also firing a free kick wildly over, while Jake Kelly came off the bench late on to join Scott Thomas in making his Haverfordwest debut.

But these proved minor positives in what was a deflating 90 minutes for the Bluebirds, and Jones now must pick his side up ahead of another big game on Saturday at home to fifth placed Goytre United.

Bittersweet night for long serving skipper:

Pemberton’s achievement in reaching 200 games for the club was marked with a presentation from manager Jones before kick off and rightly so. Players come and co so frequently at semi pro level that reaching landmarks like that are now rare, and after seven years the skipper and centre back remains an integral player to the Bluebirds.

Ultimately the night didn’t go as planned but he was honest in his assessment with Telegraph Sport afterwards.

“We weren’t in the game from the off to be honest. We had some half chances but we found them very hard to break down. They were the better footballing side tonight and outplayed us.

“As for 200 games I never expected to reach this. To come from playing local league football to being here for so long has been great for me.”

Too much to make up?:

Wayne Jones is vastly experienced in Welsh League football and he’ll know an eight point margin is not insurmountable. Both sides have 14 league games left and a crammed midweek schedule at the end of the season will mean many twists and turns.

But there was a clear gulf between the two sides last night and because of that, winning the title looks a tall order from here. The departure of Danny Williams was inevitably a blow and since that news the Bluebirds have lost twice and been disappointing both times. They need a result Saturday to restore some momentum if nothing else.

Of course, there’s no need for pushing panic buttons. By in large the squad is still young, local, and developing and sticky patches are part and parcel of football at this level.

And Penybont should be credited. They aren’t unbeaten for nothing and manager Rhys Griffiths would have been delighted with the job done at The Meadow.

It’s too early to say champions elect, but they are clear favourites now.

Haverfordwest County: Steve Hall, Ricky Watts, Sean Pemberton, Tim Hicks, Leon Luby, Tom Dyson (Nicky Palmer 58), Elliot Scotcher, Elliot Thomas, Jack Wilson (Jake Kelly 82), Ben Fawcett, Kaid Mohamed (Scott Thomas 58). Subs not used: Jake Merry, Fraser Finlay.

Penybont: Rhys Wilson, Adam Carpenter, James Saddler, Sam Rodon, Kane Owen, Oli Dalton, Curtis Hudson (Jaye Bowen 71), Cullen Kinsella, Kostya Georgievsky, Marcus Griffiths (Owain Warlow 52), Luke Borrelli (Rhys Griffiths 58). Subs not used: Kieran Howard, Billy Borge.

Referee: Ben Williams.

Assistant referees: Alan Jenkins and David Badger.