Novira Cymru Premier: Mixed fortunes for newcomers Airbus and Holywell

NOVIRA CYMRU PREMIER PHASE ONE – AUGUST 1

Haverfordwest County 0 Airbus UK Broughton 1

Josh Stevenson’s 85th minute winner ensured Airbus marked their return to the Cymru Premier with a memorable victory.

The winning margin would have been more emphatic but for a series of superb saves from Haverfordwest keeper Ifan Knott.

In the early stages, Knott performed marvels to push a Jordan Evans screamer past the post and from the resulting corner, the keeper produced another great save to thwart Kaiden Cooke.

County went close to edging ahead when Lewis Rees was put into space in the box, but his close range shot came back off the goal frame.

Mason Blackwell-Jones rounded off a fine run at the Haver defence with a firm strike, but that man Knott prevailed again with his legs.

After the break it was Airbus keeper Lewis Fallon’s turn to produce some heroics when he got down well to foil Greg Walters.

County screamed out for a penalty when Walters went down under challenge from Sam Rickett, but the referee saved play on.

Knott came up with his most remarkable save yet when a missile of a free kick from Evans looked a goal all the way, but the keeper managed to keep the ball out, then Blackwell-Jones was unable to head in the rebound.

Joy came the Wingmakers’ way in the 85th minute. Evans lofted an exquisite free kick into the box and 19-year-old defender Stevenson fired home clinically from an angle.

County applied late pressure, but Mark Allen’s Airbus held on for a great three points.

Cardiff Met 6 Holywell Town 1

Not a day to remember for Holywell on their long-awaited Cymru Premier comeback.

Jasper Payne and James Clarke put the students two-up inside the first 15 minutes.

Fumpa Mwandwe added a third before half time, and it would have been worse had Alex Swindell not saved a CJ Craven penalty.

The Wellmen forced home keeper Arron Davies into a couple of fine stops, but otherwise it was a very difficult opening 45 for the North Walians.

Early in the second half, Town handed themselves a lifeline when Jack Sconce made it 3-1, but two goals in three minutes for hat-trick hero Payne edged the hosts out of sight and Sam Jones bagged a sixth with 81 gone.