HAVERFORDWEST County rounded off a memorable 2025 with a hard‑earned point after a goalless draw against Cardiff Metropolitan at Cyncoed Campus on Tuesday evening.

The Bluebirds extended their unbeaten run to four matches and recorded a third clean sheet in four league outings, but they came agonisingly close to snatching all three points in the dying moments.

The match was evenly balanced from the outset, with both sides carving out chances in a competitive first half.

The early stages were fragmented by a series of strong challenges, and it took until the 15th minute for the first clear opportunity to arrive.

Met were awarded a free‑kick on the edge of the area after Kyle McCarthy brought down former Bluebird Harri John. Ryan Reynolds stepped up and curled a dangerous effort towards the top‑right corner, only for Luc Rees to produce a superb fingertip save to turn it over.

From the resulting corner, a scramble ensued inside the Bluebirds’ box as several Archers players tried to force the ball home, but Rees reacted sharply to smother the danger.

Haverfordwest responded on the counter, with Corey Shephard breaking forward and delivering a teasing ball into the six‑yard area. Dan Hawkins met it with a diving header that flew just over Sam Seager’s bar, though the flag was raised for offside.

Reynolds continued to threaten from set‑pieces, and another free‑kick midway through the half forced Rees into a smart low save. As half‑time approached, John fed Lifumpa Mwandwe, who drilled a low strike narrowly wide of the far post.

Met’s set‑piece threat persisted, and they came closest to breaking the deadlock when a deep delivery found County defender Alaric Jones. His attempted clearance looped onto the crossbar, rebounded off Rees and dropped behind for a corner — a moment of real fortune for the visitors.

The Archers began the second half brightly, with Eliot Evans and John combining neatly to slip Mwandwe into the area, but he could only fire into the side netting.

Haverfordwest then produced their best move of the match when Shephard won possession high up the pitch, sparking a three‑on‑two break. He threaded Ben Ahmun through on goal, but defender Matt Chubb recovered brilliantly to block the striker’s effort and divert it behind.

As the final 20 minutes approached, both sides pushed for a winner. Hawkins cut inside from the right and curled a left‑footed effort narrowly wide, while Evans responded at the other end with a strike that drifted just over Rees’ bar.

The Bluebirds’ goalkeeper was called into action again when another dangerous Reynolds free‑kick swung towards the top corner, but Rees was equal to it, tipping the ball over.

The game’s best chance fell in the final minute. Sustained pressure from the visitors ended with Rhys Abbruzzese whipping in a pinpoint cross. Substitute Greg Walters rose well and directed a firm header towards the bottom corner, but Seager produced a stunning save, stretching low to preserve the stalemate and deny Haverfordwest a dramatic late winner.

Despite the missed opportunity, the Bluebirds will take confidence from another resilient display as they head into the new year with momentum firmly on their side.