Ricky Watts scored twice in the last six minutes as Haverfordwest County left it late to snatch a 2-2 draw against Barry Town United in the JD Cymru Premier on Tuesday night.
The Bluebirds had trailed to first half goals from Ollie Hulbert and Evan Press, but again Tony Pennock's men showed they are a side that never knows when they are beaten.
After Rhys Abbruzzese’s 96th-minute free-kick had snatched a 1-1 draw with Caernarfon, this time Watts was the hero as he scored a quick-fire double to salvage a point.
"It's a massive positive that the boys kept going," said manager Tony Pennock. "It's a point again, we haven't lost, but we are stuttering a bit and need to go on a good run.
"I thought the first goal was really good, it's exactly what we have worked on, keeping possession and waiting for an opportunity to come, and it has come at the right time.
"I think the most important thing for us is scoring the first goal, obviously we didn't today again, but we'll continue to work on it and I'm confident the boys will get better."
"I don't score many goals so when they come, I appreciate them."
— Sgorio ⚽️ (@sgorio) August 29, 2023
Dwy gôl hwyr Ricky Watts yn achub pwynt i Hwlffordd.@HaverfordwestFC | @CymruLeagues pic.twitter.com/hCb0VXQwlf
The Bluebirds had early chances with Ben Fawcett seeing a shot from inside the area pushed behind by keeper Mike Lewis, but Jordan Cotterill went close at the other end.
With 14 minutes gone, the hosts opened their account as a deflected pass found Hulbert, who controlled it before firng past keeper Zac Jones into the right side of the net.
Five minutes later Kayne McLaggon had a good effort ruled out for offside, but then the Bluebirds went close as Dan Hawkins picked out Fawcett, who saw his shot blocked.
Pennock’s men had the ball in the net from a free-kick but it was ruled out for offside, and in time added on Chris Hugh’s free-kick was met by Press who headed in for 2-0.
The Bluebirds battled their way more into the game as the second half progressed and Abbruzzese’s effort from just outside the area was gathered by keeperr Lewis.
The hosts had a good chance to seal the points when Hulbert broke into the area, but keeper Jones recovered well, and the Bluebirds stepped up again in the closing stages.
Martell Taylor-Crossdale’s ball across the face of goal just evaded Hawkins, who was waiting to divert it in from close range, and Kai Whitmore fired narrowly over the bar.
In final minute of normal time, however, a cross from the impressive Whitmore found the unmarked Watts at the far post, and he headed in to halve the deficit for the visitors.
And there were scenes of jubilation in the sixth minute of stoppage time, as Hawkins’ ball into the area was dropped by Lewis and landed at the feet of Watts to sweep home.
It is the second time in four days that the Bluebirds had struck in stoppage time to salvage a point, but they were still left without their first league win of the season.
Uchafbwyntiau / Highlights 🎥⚽️@BarryTownUnited 2-2 @HaverfordwestFC #JDCymruPremier 🏴 | @CymruLeagues pic.twitter.com/hQhiaGpHkI
— Sgorio ⚽️ (@sgorio) August 29, 2023
BARRY TOWN: M Lewis, George, Hugh, Sainty, McDonald, McLaggon, Cotterill (Tomlinson 77'), Veale, A Lewis (Hiscock-Greening 83'), Hulbert, Press. Substitutes not used: Snaith, Rees, Roberts, Sylvester, Huggins.
HAVERFORDWEST: Jones, Watts, Jenkins, Tabone (C), Borg, Abbruzzese, Owen, Whitmore, Hawkins, Fawcett (H. John 74′), Taylor-Crossdale. Substitutes not used: Knott, Humphreys, Davies, Woodhouse, Williams-Lowe, D. John.
Attendance: 438
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