Haverfordwest County draw 1-1 with Caernarfon Town

A 94th minute leveller from Danny Williams sealed a point for Haverfordwest County this afternoon and denied Caernarfon Town what would have been a smash and grab win at The Bridge Meadow.

In truth, home manager Wayne Jones would have been disappointed his side didn’t take all three after failing to convert a glut of chances, and it seemed they would pay the price when Mike Hayes tapped in for the away side with 16 minutes left.

But then in the dying moments it was Williams who turned in a Jack Wilson cross to salvage things.

A busy transfer window for the club had concluded this week with Elliot Scotcher, Trystan Jones, and Mark Jones all being added to the ranks – although Scotcher was the only one of the trio involved.

And the Bluebirds started with real intent, as a Williams cross found the head of skipper Sean Pemberton but his effort was saved by Caernarfon keeper Joshua Tibbetts.

At the other end Matthew Turner had to be sharply off his line to deny Mike Hayes but the home side remained in the ascendancy, and a corner from the returning Scotcher prompted a scramble which saw Ben Fawcett have his effort blocked on the line.

Cameron Keetch also fired narrowly wide before limping off to be replaced by Jack Wilson, and he almost made another quick impact. Great link up play from Marcus Griffiths and Facwett sent the youngster clean through in goal, only for him to curl his effort past the post.

Turner, who continues to impress since his loan move from Leeds, was then at full strength to keep out a Darren Thomas free kick but moments before half time it was Wilson who again went so close for the Bluebirds – whipping a shot inches over the top corner from 15 yards out.

The start of the second half mirrored that of the first as Pemberton nodded just wide from another Scotcher corner, and then for a third time Wilson went close as his header lobbed over Tibbetts – only for Caernarfon defender Joe Williams to be there to clear it.

It was Wilson who then teed up Williams but the latter failed to clear the keeper with his lofted effort.

Griffiths was next to test Tibbetts with a header from another Scotcher set piece but Caernarfon then mustered some pressure with two quick counter attacks – firstly Sion Bradley shooting wide before Thomas saw his long range shot saved by Turner.

And then with 16 minutes left came the sucker punch as Mike Hayes made no mistake with a close range finish to put the visitors ahead.

The Bluebirds responded but again Wilson was thwarted by Tibbetts, and more late pressure followed as Corey Shepard fired wide from Fawcett’s knock down.

But then deep into injury time, with the Bluebirds seconds from another home defeat, up popped Williams to salvage a point.

Prior to the game there was a minute’s silence, for club volunteer and faithful supporter Lenny Lewis, who was highly regarded at the Bridge Meadow.

Haverfordwest County: Matthew Turner, Ricky Watts, Cameron Keetch (Jack Wilson 29), Sean Pemberton (capt), Alaric Jones, Dan Summerfield (Scott Tancock 85), Cory Shephard, Elliot Scotcher, Ben Fawcett, Marcus Griffiths (Nicky Palmer 76), Danny Williams. Subs not used: Steve Hall, Josh LeGrice.