Haverfordwest completed the double over Porthmadog and in so doing also inflicted the third of three consecutive solitary goal league defeats on the unfortunate visitors. Port opened tentatively and it took the high flying Bluebirds only five minutes to get themselves ahead. When a high ball was pumped into the visitors half the defence appeared to hesitate allowing Adie Harris to chase and control the ball just short of the Port bye-line. Harris then drove low from a narrow angle and beat McGuigan at his near post. The home side went on to dominate the early part of the match with Rhys Griffiths, Adie Harris and Simon Heal a constant threat to the home defence.
Following a Colin Loss corner on the right the ball was scrambled off the line and twice in quick succession McGuigan had to be alert to keep out, first a misdirected back header and then a subsequent shot from Wayne Jones. McGuigan was soon in action again rushing out to block a Rhys Griffiths effort after a good County build-up. Colin Loss then unleashed a good effort from 25yds which flew just wide.
Port took 16 mins before they managed to force their first corner but as the half wore on they started to exert more control and gradually dragged themselves back into the game. As Haverfordwest were made to work for every ball so there started an incessant barrage of appeals for fouls and off-sides which, though not unusual in themselves, unfortunately began to influence the decisions of the three officials. In fact after 38 mins Gareth Parry put the ball in the County net only to to have it disallowed by a late and extremely doubtful offside decision.
The home side were then awarded a constant stream of free-kicks against a side which heads the fair-play table. This culminated in the award of a yellow card to Tony Williams a decision which was rescinded after the game following discussions with the linesman. Unfortunately it was not possible in retrospect to rescind some other equally questionable decisions.
The second period was largely dominated by the visitors but they were still unable to break their goal famine. There was little of the attractive passing game produced at Newtown but a gritty effort which deserved at least a share of the points. After 52 mins Lee Webber let fly from 30yds but his shot flew just over the target. The best opportunity came when Steve Pugh, on as sub after 67 mins, combined well with Mark Williams and set up Dafydd Evans with a clear opening on the right of the box but his shot was off target. Several times the ball was scrambled away under extreme pressure by the home defence. With time running out Port were now camped in the home half of the field as they forced a succession of corners and their best effort was a dipping 20 yarder by Gareth Parry following a Mike Foster free-kick.
At the moment Port are certainly not getting the rub of the green that their efforts, and the quality of their football, deserves. Today also the decisions of the match officials left much to be desired.
Haverfordwest: Lee Kendall, Deryn Brace, Wayne Jones, Adie Harris, Wyn Thomas, Dylan Blain, Simon Heal, Ritchie Adams, Rhys Griffiths, Colin Loss, Darren Ryan (Nicky Palmer).Subs: Chris Miller, Eston Chiverton
Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Gareth Parry, Dafydd Evans, Ritchie Owen (Graham Austin), Gareth Caughter, Mark Williams(Campbell Harrison), Tony Williams (Steve Pugh).
Referee Brian Bevan (Wrexham)
Report by: Gareth Williams.
