JD Cymru South:

Swansea University 1

Haverfordwest County 1

AFTER this top of the table clash which ended in a draw Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones believes the “title will go down to the wire.”

The Bluebirds trailed 1-0 at the break as Arion Sobers-Assue struck in the 27th minute, but in the 73rd minute Ben Fawcett grabbed an important equaliser.

In a two-horse race this result sees Swansea University remain four points clear at the top of the table with five games left to play. The Bluebirds have six games to go and are four points behind the leaders but have a game in hand.

The visitors played with a strong wind in their favour in the first period creating the better scoring chances, but it was the University who took the lead as the Bluebirds defense failed to clear at a corner and Sobers-Assue who was totally unmarked toe poked home from close range. Bluebirds’ young goalkeeper Kelland Absalom also pulled off a superb save to deny the Students from extending the lead.

Man of the match was Jack Wilson who constantly terrorised the Students’ defence, was unlucky not to score as keeper Luke Martin denied the Bluebirds teenage flyer twice from one-on-one chances.

Shortly after the break Wilson struck a wicked goal bound shot which had goal written all over it from inside the box saw Martin brilliantly tip his wicked effort over the crossbar.

Both Bluebird wing-backs Harri Rowe and Miles John caused problems down the flanks as the visitors looked the better team. Midway through the second period Nicky Palmer and Jack Britton replaced Kurtis Rees and Kieran Howard respectively, giving the visitors some fresh legs in midfield.

Playing against a strong wind in the second period the visitors deservedly equalised when Wilson’s excellent cross was dummied by substitute Nicky Palmer inside the box, striker Fawcett took one touch before finishing clinically past Martin.

At that stage it looked as though Wayne Jones’ men would go on and secure the points, but they just couldn’t find an elusive winner and at the final whistle had to be content with a point when they wanted three.

“We were outstanding in the second half,” confessed Jones. “I’m proud of the boys today, we played well and to be perfectly honest I felt we should have won.”

This Friday, March 6, Haverfordwest County are away to Goytre United and the following Friday, March 13, are home against Cwmamman United. Must win games if Haverfordwest County want to continue their push for the title.

Swansea University: Luke Martin, Daniel Sheehan, Elliot Jones, Hugo Cowan, Daniel Barnard, Oliver Roberts (63, Nathan Townsend), Adam Orme (Captain), Arion Sobers-Assue (89, Harry Davies), Will Toms, David Thomas, Thomas Johnston.

Substitutes: not used: Jordan Hughes, Jack Jones, Axel Owusu.

Haverfordwest County: Kelland Absalom, Miles John (88 Gwion Howell), Harri Rowe, Tim Hicks, Scott Tancock, Ricky Watts (Captain), Kieran Howard (63 Jack Britton), Kurtis Rees (63 Nicky Palmer), Marcus Griffiths, Ben Fawcett, Jack Wilson.

Substitutes not used: Corey Saunders, Steve Hall.