HAVERFORDWEST County opened their Play-Off Conference campaign in perfect fashion on Friday night, striking twice late on to earn a deserved 2–0 win over Cardiff Metropolitan at Cyncoed Campus.

Moments of quality from Rhys Abbruzzese and Corey Shephard finally broke the resistance of a stubborn Archers side, as the Bluebirds claimed their first 90‑minute victory at the venue in more than three years.

Both teams know each other inside out, and the opening half reflected that familiarity: competitive, cagey, and short on clear chances.

But after the interval, Haverfordwest found another gear and ultimately left the capital with three valuable points that close the gap to the conference leaders to just a single point.

Manager Tony Pennock made four changes from the defeat to Briton Ferry Llansawel, handing a debut to new signing Jacob Bacon and recalling Ifan Knott, Iori Humphreys and Shephard. Dan Hawkins marked his 100th appearance for the club with a place in the starting XI.

The visitors carved out the first opening inside three minutes when Kyle Kenniford’s cross found Shephard, whose improvised bicycle kick was blocked.

County appealed for handball, but the referee was unmoved.

Moments later, the hosts were gifted a golden chance when Dylan Rees was penalised for catching Joel Edwards in the box. Adam Roscrow stepped up, but Knott guessed correctly and pushed the penalty away, echoing his heroics from a previous meeting between the sides.

Hawkins almost created the breakthrough midway through the half, gliding past a challenge before lifting a ball narrowly beyond the reach of Ben Ahmun. At the other end, Knott was alert again to deny Sam Jones’ close‑range header from a corner. The sides went in level, but the Bluebirds had shown enough intent to suggest more was to come.

Pennock introduced Owain Jones at the break, and the second half quickly opened up. CJ Craven’s long‑range strike deflected just wide for the hosts, before Walters’ clipped pass almost released Shephard.

Abbruzzese won a free‑kick inches outside the area, but Shephard’s effort was blocked. Ahmun then tested Seager with a low drive, while Hawkins saw a first‑time strike charged down.

County’s pressure continued to build, and with 16 minutes remaining they finally found the breakthrough. Abbruzzese drove inside, and curled a superb right‑footed effort into the bottom corner — a moment of class that lit up a tight contest.

The Archers threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser, but the Bluebirds’ back line stood firm, producing a series of crucial blocks and headers as the clock ticked down.

And in the final seconds, Haverfordwest sealed the points in style. Ahmun chased down what looked a lost cause on the left, muscled past Craven, skipped beyond Barnaby Soady and squared for Shephard, who calmly rolled the ball into an empty net with the last kick of the match.

A disciplined, determined performance — and a statement start to the Play-Off Conference. With the gap at the top now razor-thin, the Bluebirds have thrown themselves firmly into the race for the European play-off spot.

Manager Pennock said: “ We know what a good side Cardiff Met are, and to come here and get a win in the first game of Phase Two, it’s a big help towards our target.”