In their first match of the season Caersws
entertained Haverfordwest County at the Recreation Ground. The
game opened in a lively manner, with Haverfordwest having the
better of the play for the first 20 minutes, before Caersws
started to make an impression and even things up.
The first chance, however, fell to Caersws' Geraint Lewis,
but he sent his effort high and wide, despite Andy
Marfell being well placed in the centre.
County took a quick free kick in the fourth minute, which
caught the Caersws defence napping, but Chris Miller's
dangerous cross was scrambled clear. Four minutes later a good
run from Haverfordwest's Darren Ryan found gaps in the home
defence, but Rhys Griffiths' low drive was superbly saved by
Andy Mulliner in the Caersws goal. Shortly afterwards Mulliner
pushed a Darren Ryan free kick onto the post and to safety.
In the 21st minute strong running from Caersws' Jamie
Davies down the right resulted in Andy Marfell making a half
volley, which was comfortably saved by Peter Blain in the
Haverfordwest goal. Two minutes later a long ball from Caersws
midfielder Mark Howells, who has returned following a
long-term injury which kept him out most of last season, was
headed on by Geraint Lewis for Andy Davies, but Davies' effort
went high over the bar. Excellent footwork from Andy Marfell
enabled him to make an excellent pass to Andy Davies, who set
up Kevin Scott, but Scottie side-footed his effort inches
wide.
With play settling down to a midfield battle, the next real
chance came on 38 minutes when a long throw from Kevin Scott
caused chaos in the Haverfordwest area before it was headed
over by Andy Marfell.
Two minutes later a long ball out over the Caersws defence
was met by County's Rhys Griffiths, but he rushed his effort
and sent it well over the bar.
Half time 0 - 0
The second half was a very even affair with both sides
making good chances.
Two minutes into the half saw a strong run by Caersws
midfielder Jamie Davies, which resulted in Kevin Scott sending
a low shot from 25 yards just wide of the post.
Shortly afterward Scott capitalised on slack play from the
County's midfield, and fed Geraint Lewis through, but his
resulting shot went agonisingly wide with keeper Peter Blain
well beaten.
On the hour a fine cross from Chris Miller found Rhys
Griffiths at the back post, but he sent his header straight at
Caersws keeper Andy Mulliner for an easy save.
After Mark Howells saw his 69th minute shot blocked by a
Haverfordwest defender Andy Davies pounced on the rebound, but
his low shot went narrowly wide.
Four minutes later Darren Ryan was unlucky when his free kick
hit the post, bounced onto keeper Andy Mulliner's back and
went out for a corner. Caersws
promptly counter-attacked and Geraint Lewis headed the ball on
to Graham Evans, who had just come on for Jamie Davies. Evans
headed the ball goalward only for Haverfordwest's keeper,
Peter Blain, to pull off a superb save to deny him.
Keeper Blain was having a tremendous match, as he then
made another good save to deny Graham Jones after Andy Davies
had fed the ball to him from the wing.
A few minutes later Jones fed Geraint Lewis, who lobbed the
keeper from 15 yards, but his effort went just wide, to the
groans of the home supporters.
Peter Blain and his defenders pulled of another couple of
good saves when Kevin Scott took a corner, a free kick from
just outside the area and then another corner within the space
of a minute, and then in the final minute of the game a Graham
Evans effort was scrambled clear.
Overall a fair result, with Caersws playing well in defence
and midfield, and just let down by finishing. Haverfordwest
played well, with Peter Blain putting in a superb performance
between the sticks, and new signing from Carmarthen Town Wyn
Thomas making a good debut in defence.
|
