Williams double denies Newtown in draw at Haverfordwest

The Robins made the trip with manager Chris Hughes absent and self isolating while awaiting the results of a coronavirus test after a family member displayed mild symptoms.

Newtown began brightly and almost opened the scoring inside the opening three minutes with Jamie Breese racing onto Jake Phillips' long throughball only to drag his shot wide.

Haverfordwest had to wait until the 15th minute before their first chance with Ben Fawett seizing on a loose pass from Jack Kelly before curling just wide from 20 yards.

The hosts were indebted to a stunning save from goalkeeper Steve Hall three minutes later with Kieran Mills-Evans' glancing header from Phillips' long throw looking destined for the top corner only for the home custodian to pull off a stunning one handed save.

The Bluebirds immediately broke and dangerman Fawcett weaved himself an opening and forced a low save from goalkeeper Dave Jones from a tight angle.

Newtown lost Matthew Williams to injury soon after with Jordan Evans introduced.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 33 minutes with another long throw from Phillips deceiving all in a packed goalmouth for Nick Rushton to nod home from close range.

The remainder of the half continued to be a tightly contested affair with few openings.

Fawcett continued to pose the greatest attacking threat for the hosts, curling over the bar from 20 yards on 39 minutes.

Meanwhile Phillips' long throw was once again utilised for Newtown in injury-time with Evans shot cleared off the home line by Sean Pemberton to keep his side in the game.

Newtown began the second-half on top with Rushton releasing Evans to test Hall on 51 minutes.

However County stirred into action and five minutes later Neil Mitchell lost possession in midfield for Danny Williams to drag wide.

A minute later Williams broke on the right to square for Kurtis Lewis to force a great diving save from Jones.

The pressure told and County were level seconds later with Williams slotting home from the penalty spot after Phillips was deemed to have handled in the area.

Newtown came close to regaining their lead on the hour with Rushton releasing Evans to break into the box from the right only to steer his shot inches wide of the far post.

Tyrone Ofori was introduced soon after with the summer signing from Cefn Druids making his debut in place of fellow debutant Breese.

Both sides enjoyed spells of possession as the second-half increasingly became a midfield tussle with few openings.

However the arms of Phillips were once again involved on the action as Newtown regained the lead on 73 minutes.

Phillips' long throw from the right caused chaos in the home area with Rushton teeing up Evans to drag across goal for the unmarked Mills-Evans to convert.

A minute later Newtown should have increased their lead only for Ofori to fire wide from the edge of the area.

County levelled three minutes later with Jack Wilson's right wing cross steered home on the far post by Williams with Jones only able to help the ball into the net.

Having twice thrown away the lead to lose at home to Caernarfon Town in midweek the Robins faced history repeating with County tails up.

However the remainder of the match Newtown gradually regain their momentum though struggle to create any clear openings.

Ofori came close to latching onto Rushton's throughball in the dying seconds but Hall saved at his feet as the honours ended even at New Bridge Meadow.

Haverfordwest County

Hall, Watts, Keetch, Pemberton, Jones, Tancock, Lewis, Rees, Shephard, Fawcett, Williams. Subs: Gajda, John, Saunders, Griffiths, Wilson.

Newtown

Hones, Phillips, Kelly, McAllister, Mills-Evans, Mitchell, Rushton, Breese, M Williams, Edwards, Hughes. Subs: Steventon, O'Neill, Evans, Davies, C Williams, Ofori