A GOAL in each half sentenced Penrhyncoch to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Welsh League club Haverfordwest County in their second pre-season friendly at Cae Baker last weekend.

After a creditable 1-0 win against Port Talbot Town the week before, the Roosters faced another side that had been relegated from the Welsh Premier League.

It proved a tougher test for the Cymru Alliance new boys who, showing several changes from the week before, again worked hard but struggled to find the fluency shown against the Steelmen.

With manager Gari Lewis away, assistant Bari Morgan took charge of the team, and he felt that the hosts were not at their best as the visitors ran out deserving winners.

“We were expecting a tougher game, and so it proved,” said Morgan, the former Aberystwyth Town skipper.

“I don’t think we played as well as the week before, and full credit to Haverfordwest, who were that bit sharper, but it was a good test for us.”

The Roosters had their chances, but they fell behind on the half hour when the Bluebirds’ joint boss Chris O’Sullivan beat keeper Lee Jenkins with swerving cross strike from 25 yards out.

Penrhyn missed a good chance when Matt Evans failed to make contact with a Dafydd Carruthers cross when well placed, but the visitors doubled the lead five minutes after the interval when striker Ashley Bevan latched onto a return ball from sub Alfie Stotter to smash home from 18 yards.

Bevan also hit the woodwork with a header, and Leigh Jenkins made a good save to prevent another goal, but the hosts also had an opportunity to pull a goal back from a goalmouth melee.

Dylan James had a solid display, and youngster Harri Horwood again showed his credentials when appearing as second half substitute.

Haverfordwest joint-boss Chris O’Sullivan, who got the first goal was happy with the run-out at Cae Baker.

“The boys put in a good shift, it was a good run-out as Penrhyncoch gave us a good test,” he said. ‘They played some good football and put us under pressure.”

Penrhyn face two outings in as many days this week as they give their players more game time, with Spar Mid Wales League side Llanidloes Town the visitors on Friday night, before the staging of a Legends charity game at Cae Baker on Saturday.* Following Carwyn Jenkins' resignation as reserve team manager, Penrhyncoch FC is on the look out for a manager for the team for the 2016/17.The team will play in the Aberystwyth and District League division one, and previous experience is not essential, just someone with enthusiasm for our young crop of players.Anyone interested should email: Kevin Jenkins [email protected] or Aneurin Venables [email protected]