Sport

LATE WINNER BREAKS HAKIN HEARTS

Published

11 years ago

March 9, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Hakin United 3 Holywell Town 4

On the mark: Woodrow’s penalty made it 2-2

HAKIN UNITED were agonisingly knocked out of the FAW Trophy as 10-man Holywell Town scored a late winner to win the quarter final tie by four goals to three.

Both sides held the lead during a thrilling game but it was Holywell Town who showed the greater spirit to score two goals despite being down to ten men.

The Flintshire side are unbeaten this season and provided a stern test for the Pembrokeshire League Division One leaders. The opening twenty minutes were a tense affair as neither side wanted to make a mistake that would lead to a goal.

Hakin started brightly and a free kick in the first few seconds of the game almost saw them take the lead. Nathan Banner sent the ball into the box and Nicky Woodrow headed towards goal but his effort was saved and the ball was cleared away.

With twenty minutes gone Hakin got the all-important first goal when Nicky Woodrow headed the ball back towards goal and attempting to knock the ball out for a corner, Holywell’s Dafydd Griffith headed the ball into his own net, much to the delight of the home fans.

However, the lead was short lived as a long ball over the top came to Phil Lloyd and after his first shot was saved he was quickest to react to tap in the rebound and make it 1-1.

Then with eight minutes to go until half time Holywell took the lead when a long throw in was headed in to the bottom corner by Matt Harvey.

The Vikings responded well and shortly before half time they were given a chance to get back into the game when the referee spotted a handball in the area. Nicky Woodrow sent the keeper the wrong way and buried the spot kick into the bottom left corner to make it 2-2.

The referee brought an enthralling first half to a close with the scores level and it was the Pembrokeshire side that got the upper hand early in the second half.

Holywell’s manager made a double substitution and while the team where still re-organising, Hakin took the lead.

Ashley Bevan fizzed a cross into the box and Justin Harding was in the right place to powerfully head the ball home.

With twenty minutes to go, Holywell’s chances of getting back into the game were dealt a blow when they were reduced to ten men.

Already on a yellow card, captain Sam Jones raised his hand to the face of a Hakin player and the referee had no option but to pull out the red card.

With ten minutes to go a scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Jack Darcy who poked the ball home for the visitors to make it 3-3.

The Flintshire side had a shout for a penalty moments later when a goal bound effort was cleared off the line but the referee only awarded a corner.

Nicky Woodrow had a late chance to send the Vikings through but he sent his shot wide of the post.

It looked as if the game would go into extra-time but in added time Phil Lloyd scored his second of the game when he rounded the keeper and tapped in to break Hakin’s hearts.

Hakin put up a valiant effort and were unlucky not to win the game.

They will look to bounce back next Saturday as they return to league action, at home against Monkton Swifts.

Sport

Vice-chair steps down at Haverfordwest County AFC

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2026

Herald Sport

Mared Pemberton leaves board role after years of service

HAVERFORWEST COUNTY AFC has confirmed that Mared Pemberton has stepped down from her role as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors due to personal commitments.

Pemberton has played a key role in the club’s development in recent years, most notably leading the delivery of the Ogi Bridge Meadow 3G pitch project.

She has also been closely involved in the club’s community work and fan engagement initiatives, helping to strengthen its reputation and position as a focal point within the local area.

Pemberton will continue her involvement with the club as Head of Trustees for the Bluebirds Foundation, the official charitable arm of Haverfordwest County AFC.

A club spokesperson said: “Everyone at the club would like to thank Mared for her loyalty, hard work and dedication over many years, and we wish her well for the future.”

Sport

Camrose girls head to Portugal after major community backing

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

Herald Sport

A CAMROSE Under 13s girls’ football team has travelled to Portugal for a once-in-a-lifetime tour, supported by a funding boost from Wales & West Utilities.

The squad, made up of twenty-four players aged between eleven and fourteen, set off during the Easter holidays after five months of determined fundraising efforts.

The trip forms part of a wider international learning programme funded by Taith, the Welsh Government-backed scheme promoting global exchange opportunities for young people.

During their time abroad, the team will take part in cultural and sporting activities, including matches against local sides, social events with host clubs, and a coaching session with Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica. The group will also attend a professional football match.

Organisers say the tour is about far more than football, with a strong focus on confidence-building, teamwork, and cultural exchange. Around forty per cent of the players and coaching staff come from underrepresented backgrounds, including young carers, those in care, and families on low incomes.

While Taith funding has supported much of the programme, additional financial help from Wales & West Utilities has been vital in bridging a £3,000 shortfall. The funds have also enabled the purchase of a dedicated tour kit, helping keep players safe and identifiable in busy environments.

Volunteer coach Joanne Battelley said the support had made a real difference.

She said: “This tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our girls, both on and off the pitch. The support from Wales & West Utilities has helped ensure more of our players can take part and benefit from the opportunity.”

Bethan Jones, Head of People and Customer Experience at Wales & West Utilities, said the company was proud to support the initiative.

She said: “Football is about more than just the game. This trip will help build confidence, develop new skills, and create lasting memories for these young players.”

Wales & West Utilities provides gas emergency and pipeline services to more than 7.5 million people across Wales and the south west of England.

Sport

Lloyd and Reynolds take on France with Supra GT4 challenge

Published

5 days ago

March 28, 2026

Herald Sport

WELSH drivers Rhys Lloyd and Harri Reynolds are set to take on Europe as they launch their 2026 campaign in the French GT4 Championship.

The pairing will compete in the Championnat de France FFSA GT – GT4 France, driving a Toyota Supra GT4 run by Circuit Toys in partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing France.

The highly competitive series features five rounds across some of France and Belgium’s most iconic circuits, with the season getting underway at Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro over Easter weekend (April 5–6).

European step up

Both drivers bring experience as teammates, having competed together in the 2024 Britcar Trophy Championship and earlier this year in the Dubai 24 Hours — giving them a solid platform heading into their first full European campaign.

The FFSA GT4 series also offers a significant incentive, with a €150,000 prize fund available through the SRO Motorsports Group’s GT Academy programme, aimed at helping drivers progress to higher levels such as GT2 and GT World Challenge Europe.

Aiming for the title

Reynolds, from Narberth, said he was eager to build on the pair’s recent success.

“I’m really looking forward to the season ahead,” he said. “After the Dubai 24, Rhys and I have built a strong understanding of how the team operates, and they now know how we work as drivers.

“Taking our first proper step into European racing, it’ll be exciting to experience the competition and get to know new drivers and teams.

“We’re aiming to put ourselves in a position to fight for the championship. As drivers, that’s always the goal. Rhys and I have worked well together, and if we can continue that momentum, we’ll be right in the mix.”

He added that racing abroad would bring new challenges, including travel demands and adapting to unfamiliar circuits and conditions.

Motivated return

Lloyd, from Carmarthen, said he was relishing his return to racing after time away in 2025.

“I’m super excited about the 2026 season,” he said. “Having taken a year out, I’m more motivated than ever to be back.

“The Toyota Supra GT4 is an incredible car, and to be back driving with Harri is a great partnership.

“It’s a big step for us both to race in France — all the circuits and competitors will be new — but I’m really looking forward to getting started in Nogaro.”

Further announcements about the team’s 2026 campaign are expected in the coming months.