TOWN SUFFER FRIENDLY LOSS
CARMARTHEN TOWN.......1 HAVERFORDWEST.............3
CARMARTHEN Town opened their pre-season programme with defeat as Haverfordwest County bagged an impressive win at Richmond Park.
Town’s squad comprised most of the regulars who appeared during the relatively successful Welsh Premier League second-phase programme last season, while there were first appearances for new signings Chris Jones, Elliott Scotcher and Josh Bull.
Luke Bowen and Ceri Morgan were both unavailable, while Mael Davies and Luke Cummings have transferred to Cardiff Met and Barry Town respectively.
The visitors took the lead with their first serious effort in the 16th minute. Ben Fawcett sent an inviting free-kick into the goalmouth where Sean Pemberton found space amongst a static Old Gold defence to plant his closerange header past keeper Lee Idzi and into the back of the net.
It took some time before Town reacted to that setback and it was not until the 29th minute that they managed a shot of any significance on target. Academy player Sam Phillips produced some smart footwork on the left before sending the ball across to Jones, whose 20-yard shot was directed straight at keeper Stephan Hall.
Lewis Harling then moved forward to the edge of the penalty area before releasing a stunning strike that slid just wide of the post.
And Harling again went close when he was freed by a fine pass from triallist Brad Flay. Harling raced towards the area but his drive flew narrowly wide.
Yet despite Town’s improvement they conceded another goal in the 48th minute. Haverfordwest defender Miles John burst into the area, only to be brought down by Declan Carroll. Tyler Brock comfortably converted the spot-kick.
However, the Old Gold were quick to reduce the deficit.
New signing Scotcher was performing impressively in midfield, always looking comfortable in possession and demonstrating effective distribution. And from the wide edge of the area, his free-kick to the far side of the goalmouth was met by Harling, who finally got on the scoresheet by planting his header beyond the reach of substitute keeper Kyle Stuart.
Town continued to press and went near to restoring parity on 63 minutes when Jordan Knott lifted a cross towards the far post where striker Liam Thomas hooked the ball into the side netting.
But the Bluebirds presented a greater threat on the counter and Pemberton chased a long ball into the area, only to be denied by Town’s substitute keeper Tom Windsor, who rushed out of his goal to clear the danger.
Soon afterwards Windsor was beaten by a fierce 20-yard drive from Alfie Stotter, but Craig Hanford was well placed to block the ball on the line.
As Town continued to pour upfield in search of an equaliser, the threat of conceding a breakaway goal remained. And it arrived in the 85th minute.
Marcus Griffiths made a strong run along the left before cutting inside and passing Jordan Vickers before releasing a powerful drive that went beyond Windsor’s reach and into the roof of the net.
The Old Gold almost conceded another when Griffiths outpaced Hanford along the left to reach a long pass, then sent a perfect cross to the edge of the area to Fawcett, whose drive hit the underside of the bar and bounced straight into Windsor’s arms.