Nomads beaten by Bluebirds in league opener

The Nomads suffered a narrow defeat in their first match of the new JD Cymru Premier campaign as Ben Ahmun’s penalty gave Haverfordwest County a 1-0 victory at the Essity Stadium.

The Nomads enjoyed more possession and arguably created more chances on the day, but Bluebirds goalkeeper Zac Jones was on top form, making numerous saves to rescue his side.

Ahmun’s decisive goal came nine minutes into the second half. Harri John was fouled by Ben Nash inside the area and the Bluebirds were awarded a penalty as a result. Ahmun stepped up and rolled the ball beyond George Ratcliffe to give Tony Pennock’s side all three points.

Team News
Captain John Disney returned to the starting eleven while new signing Rhys Hughes made his first start for the club after a successful international clearance delivery. Academy stars Tyler Berry and Jayden Tang were both named on the bench. Jack Kenny remained absent after suffering an injury.

There was just one change to the Haverfordwest lineup that defeated Carmarthen Town 5-0 in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend as Greg Walters made his debut for the club, replacing Rio Dyer, who dropped to the bench.

The First Half
The first chance of the match fell to Haverfordwest and arrived with 10 minutes on the clock. Harri John made a darting run towards the front post and looked to send his header beyond Ratcliffe, but the goalkeeper was equal to it and made a crucial save.

The Nomads were left frustrated as we reached the midway stage of the first half as the Bluebirds defence continued to clear a several attacks, including a chance from Fumpa Mwandwe, who tried to find space for a shot, only for three defenders to track back and intercept the attacker.

Ben Ahmun nearly found the breakthrough for the visitors 10 minutes before the break as his free header inside the area trickled inches wide of the bottom corner, which came to the striker’s dismay.

The Second Half
Although he missed a glorious opportunity in the first half, Ahmun made amends as he opened the scoring for Haverfordwest nine minutes after the restart.

Referee Iwan Griffith deemed Ben Nash to have fouled Harri John inside the area, resulting in a penalty. Ahmun stepped up from 12 yards and calmly converted past Ratcliffe to put his side ahead.

Fresh legs were introduced for The Nomads as the search for an equaliser began. Elliott Dugan came on to face his former club as he replaced Luca Hogan up front before Tyler Berry, who scored on his senior debut against Buckley Town last weekend, came on to replace Aron Williams seven minutes later.

There was also a triple substitution for the away side as Ricky Watts, Ben Fawcett and Owain Jones replaced Harri John, Ben Ahmun and Dan Hawkins.

Arguably The Nomads’ best spell of the match came midway through the second half as Fumpa’s shot from the edge of the area flew narrowly wide of the near post.

Moments later, Rhys Hughes almost grabbed a goal on his debut as his deflected strike forced Zac Jones into a diving save.

Former Cymru U21 international Hughes went close again in the 74th minute as his curling free kick from the left hand side of the area flashed agonisingly wide of Jones’ far post.

Hughes made way for academy star Jayden Tang, who earned his first team debut after impressing for our development squads.

Haverfordwest substitute Ben Fawcett nearly doubled his side’s lead as his strike from an extremely tight angle snuck through the legs of Ratcliffe, but all nerves were settled when the ball trickled across the face of goal and hammered away to safety.

Fawcett’s previous effort was always going to be tough to score from, but the striker certainly should have found the net with five minutes to play. Jacob Owen’s low ball towards the back post found Fawcett, who controlled the ball and had time on his hands to pick his spot, but he could only curl over the bar.

Despite an additional six minutes of stoppage time, The Nomads were unable to find a leveller, which meant Haverfordwest travelled back to South Wales with all three points.

What’s Next?
The Nomads will look to make amends for Sunday’s defeat with a trip to Aberystwyth Town on matchday two of the new JD Cymru Premier campaign.

We will face the Seasiders at Park Avenue on Friday, 16 August and kick off will be at 8:00pm.

Match Report by Adam Angerer