Ammanford AFC hosted Haverfordwest County in a pre-season friendly match with both sides keen to sharpen up their game time fitness levels in readiness for the new season in their respective leagues.
On a glorious sunny evening at the Recreation ground in Ammanford, a Covid restricted attendance with all the necessary protocols in place witnessed a very entertaining game of good football.
Ammanford were please to offer ex Swansea City legend Leon Britton his home debut.
The game kicked off and the home side were demonstrating their abilities in matching their Welsh Premier League opponents.
Ammanford’s Kai Whitmore was proving a thorn in the Haverfordwest’s defensive lines. Whilst at the back Captain Rhys Fisher with his defensive team mates repelled any early threats from County.
In the 13th minute one such attack from the home team resulted in a penalty kick being awarded for a trip in the box and up stepped Kai Whitmore who scored the opening goal to give Ammanford the lead. The action continued to and fro with both teams counter attacking.
However it wasn’t long after Ammanford took the lead that the referee gave County a penalty for a similar offence of a trip in the box.
Up stepped Elliot Scotcher for County but his spot kick was brilliantly saved by the agile Craig Morris.
Ammanford we’re celebrating Morris save but unfortunately not long after a County equaliser did materialise.
County’s influential Henry Jones found space and broke through the Ammanford defence an placed a pin point cross to team mate Scotcher who made no mistake this time by scoring from close range to level things up at 1-1.
The score remained the same at halftime time and both sides could be pleased with their first half performances.
Ammanford’s Manager Gruffydd Harrison made use of his substitutes bench for the second half and changed the shape.
The second half saw Haverfordwest come more into their own
with Henry Jones pulling the strings for them in opening up the Ammanford defensive lines.
It didn’t take long for one such attack from Henry Jones who crossed the ball to team mate Mason Jones – Thomas who drilled the ball into the back of Ammanford’s net leaving goalkeeper helpless to make the save.
County had the lead and probably on balance was deserved but Ammanford’s spirit and determination was shown again by Kai Whitmore who was driving his team forward in an attempt to get back in the game.
As hard as they tried Ammanford could not find a way through their opponents defensive resolve.
As the clock ran down in this game a ray of hope was offered to Ammanford as the referee brandished a red card to reduce Haverfordwest down to ten men as their defender was judged to be the last man and prevented a clear goal scoring opportunity.
With minutes to play Haverfordwest’s defence stood firm
The referee blew his whistle for final time and it was the visitors who picked up the win.
Manager Gruffydd Harrison will be pleased with this showing and with key players not involved in the friendly then he maybe facing a selection dilemma but I’m sure he will feel it’s a nice position to be in.
The Black and White army support had liked what they had seen and can’t wait now until the JD Cymru South league swings into action when Ammanford AFC travel to neighbouring rivals Llanelli Town on the evening of the 23/07/2021.
