Sport

10-man Town send Bluebirds bottom

Published

10 years ago

April 8, 2016

Welsh Premier League Playoff

Haverfordwest County 1

Carmarthen Town 2

CARMARTHEN continued their successful start to the Welsh Premier League second-phase programme by securing their fourth victory in five games after an impressive all-round team effort full of energy and commitment in this keenly-contested local derby with Haverfordwest – this, despite having to play for over an hour with just ten men.

The hosts will be disappointed to have lost the game with something of a whimper, with Town never looking in danger of loosing even when they had a numerical disadvantage.

It now looks increasingly likely that the Bluebirds will be playing their football back in Welsh League Division One next season as they sit nine points adrift of safety with four games to play, after a difficult season back in Wales’ top flight.

From the outset the Old Gold took the initiative, monopolising possession and putting sustained pressure on the home defence with a series of quick raids. And in the 7th minute they twice went close to taking the lead.

First, Kyle Bassett saw his closerange strike blocked in front of goal by a defender – then moments later Mark Jones received the ball deep inside the penalty area and he instantly sent a fine pass back to Kieran Lewis who released a crisp 20 yard drive that drew a smart full-length save from ‘keeper Alex Connell.

Yet they were soon rewarded for this adventurous approach when on 12 minutes, after a swift exchange of passes with Jones, Lewis drifted neatly past his marker and into the penalty area before coolly drilling the ball past Connell and into the net.

Such was Town’s dominance during these opening stages that it was not until the 22nd minute that County created their first notable scoring chance – Kieran Howard raced forward into the penalty area then fired an inviting cross into the goalmouth where Luke Borelli wastefully stabbed the ball over the bar.

But this was shortly followed by the incident that would change the whole nature of this contest. Lewis, having been shown the yellow card albeit rather harshly just minutes beforehand, foolishly got involved in a needless challenge and was again similarly cautioned leading to his automatic dismissal from the field – and Carmarthen were left to play the rest of the game without their most influential player.

Unsurprisingly, the hosts straightaway began to compete better and enjoy more possession and territorial advantage. But still they were unable to make any real impression on the Old Gold defence which featured the now customary central pairing of Dwaine Bailey and Dave Vincent who remained assured and disciplined under pressure – and they received excellent support on the flanks from Jordan Knott and Dan Sheehan, playing with equal conviction and reliability. As a result, Haverfordwest failed to produce a notable effort on target during the rest of the first-half.

After the interval County continued to make good use of their numerical advantage and kept pressure on the visitors’ defence, but remained unable to penetrate it. Then, remarkably, on 53 minutes the Old Gold increased their lead following a rare breakaway. Having won a free-kick wide on the left flank, Bassett sent the ball into the packed goalmouth where Vincent leapt high above surrounding defenders and skilfully directed a glancing header beyond the reach of Connell and into the roof of the net.

However, Town’s players had no time to enjoy their two-goal advantage because straight from the re-start the hosts poured upfield and the ball reached Ricky Watts near the corner of the penalty area from where he confidently drove the ball past ‘keeper Lee Idzi.

Encouraged by that success Haverfordwest continued to press forward with increasing urgency and regularity – yet on each occasion they were unable, in any meaningful way, to breach the outstanding Old Gold defence which by now was routinely augmented by industrious midfielders Ceri Morgan, Luke Cummings and Bassett.

And behind that defensive screen the experienced Idzi commanded his area in his customary assured manner and safely dealt with numerous crosses, corners and free kicks – and the hosts’ very infrequent scoring efforts.

Meanwhile tireless strikers Mark Jones and Liam Thomas, when not also otherwise engaged in defensive activities, used their pace and mobility to good effect by keeping County defenders fully occupied with occasional counter-attacks none of which, however, produced a serious goal threat.

This magnificent team effort has now ensured that Carmarthen are mathematically safe from relegation and, given their recent performances, they remain well-placed to secure the coveted UEFA play-off qualifying spot at the end of the WPL programme.

Teams:

Haverfordwest County: Alex Connell; Ricky Watts; Sean Pemberton; Dale Griffiths; Sam Rodon; Luke Borelli; Declan Carroll; Kristian Speake; Kieran Howard; Nicky Palmer; Jason Bertorelli.

Substitutes: Greg Walters; Craig Morris; Tomas Wellington; Alfie Stottor.

Carmarthen Town: Lee Idzi; Dan Sheehan; Dwaine Bailey; Dave Vincent; Jordan Knott; Luke Cummings; Kieran Lewis; Ceri Morgan; Kyle Bassett (sub Craig Hanford 90+3); Mark Jones; Liam Thomas;

Unused Substitutes: Luke Prosser; Jeff White; Glen Fearn; James Kirkwood.

Sport

Bluebirds’ European Journey Continues in Season Four of You Can Have It All

Published

7 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Herald Sport

Club documentary series returns to document Haverfordwest County’s historic UEFA Conference League campaign

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY has confirmed the return of their club documentary series, You Can Have It All (YCHIA), later this month, showcasing the thrilling journey of last summer’s European adventure.

YCHIA first began filming in 2021, with Season One covering a rollercoaster 2021-22 campaign for the Bluebirds. The season ended with a dramatic top-flight survival, following a challenging period. Season Two shifted focus to the 2022-23 season, which saw the club qualify for Europe for the first time since 2004. The Bluebirds’ stunning play-off victory, which included back-to-back penalty shoot-out wins against Cardiff Met and Newtown, marked manager Tony Pennock’s first season in charge as a major success.

The excitement intensified as the series continued to cover their historic European campaign, which began with a trip to North Macedonia to face KF Shkëndija. Returning to Cardiff City Stadium for the second leg, the Bluebirds made club history by winning their first-ever European tie on penalties. The drama then took them to the Faroe Islands to face B36 Tórshavn, where they were controversially edged out by a single goal in the return leg.

Now, with further continental success under their belts, YCHIA returns for its fourth season, documenting last summer’s European adventure. This season follows Haverfordwest County’s journey through the qualifying rounds of the newly rebranded UEFA Conference League (UECL).

Providing exclusive behind-the-scenes access, the series tracks the Bluebirds’ travels to Malta for the first leg of their UECL first qualifying round tie against Floriana, and the return leg at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli a week later. The season also covers the build-up to the competition, including a visit to Geneva for the UEFA draw and a match against reigning Northern Ireland champions Linfield at Windsor Park, the national stadium.

Season Four will be released in three episodes on December 18, December 23, and January 2. You can watch You Can Have It All on Haverfordwest County’s YouTube channel by following this link. The club will also share highlights and snippets of the documentary across their social media platforms, so be sure to follow them on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter)!

News

Pembroke Dock coach helped steer Lando Norris to F1 world title

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Seren Baker

Local mentor recalls seven-year-old Norris as “one to watch from day one”

A FORMER Pembroke Dock man has been revealed as one of the earliest influences behind newly-crowned Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris – adding an unexpected Pembrokeshire chapter to one of the biggest sporting stories of the year.

Robert Dodds, who grew up in Pembroke Dock before later moving to Poole, was Norris’s first coach at BKC Racing. He began mentoring the future McLaren star when he was just seven years old, helping shape the early foundations of a career that reached its peak on Sunday (Dec 7) when Norris secured the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking to The Herald, Mr Dodds said Norris’s talent was obvious from the very first outing.

“There was something special about him from day one,” he said. “By the time he was eight, he was already as quick as the 10–12-year-olds. He just had this will about him – he wanted it.”

Pembrokeshire link to a global success story

Dodds coached Norris for four years, guiding him through kart setup, technique, and competitive racecraft. He says he remains “immensely proud” that his own Pembrokeshire roots now form a small part of the world champion’s rise.

“Ten or fifteen years ago he was sat in the front of my van as we drove to tracks,” he said. “Now he’s flying around the world racing in Monaco. It’s incredible how far he’s come.”

That early development included a fierce sibling rivalry with Norris’s older brother, Oliver – something Dodds believes accelerated his progress.

“Because of that rivalry, his pace shot up. He wanted to beat his brother – and then he wanted to beat everyone.”

BKC Racing has produced other top talents too, including 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Phil Hanson, further underlining the pedigree of the team that helped launch Norris’s career.

The moment a champion first stood out

Dodds still recalls an early test at Clay Pigeon Raceway, where a seven-year-old Norris completed a lap in 39 seconds – a benchmark usually achieved only by much older cadet racers.

“He came past me with his thumb up – this tiny kid doing senior cadet times. That was the moment we knew.”

Norris seals his first world title

Norris made his Formula 1 debut in 2019, claimed his first podium in 2020, took pole position in 2021 and secured his first Grand Prix win in Miami in 2024. His 2025 campaign saw him take multiple victories before clinching the world championship in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first British driver since Lewis Hamilton to lift the title.

Pride back home in Pembrokeshire

Motorsport fans across the county followed Sunday’s title decider closely, with many celebrating the unexpected local connection.

A local F1 fan who watched the race in a Haverfordwest pub told The Herald:
“Everyone here was proud of Lando – and hearing that one of his early coaches came from Pembroke Dock makes it feel like Pembrokeshire had a tiny part in his journey.”

Dodds, who continues to mentor young racers today, says Norris’s success is already inspiring the next generation.

“It’s like something out of a film. I’m proud of what he’s achieved – and proud to have been part of the journey.”

For Pembrokeshire, the story adds a local footnote to a global sporting triumph – and a reminder that world champions sometimes start out much closer to home than anyone realises.

Cover image:

Proud mentor: Pembroke Dock’s Robert Dodds helped shape Norris’s early racing career (Pic: Robert Dodds)

Sport

South Pembs Short Mat Bowls: East Williamston strengthen lead after Week 11

Published

5 days ago

December 9, 2025

Herald Sport

EAST Williamston tightened their grip at the top of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League table following another strong set of results in Week 11.

The week’s fixtures saw Lamphey beat Hundleton 8–2, St Johns defeat Badgers 8–2, Carew overcome Reynalton 7–3, and East Williamston record an impressive 8–2 win over Kilgetty.

The match between Llanteg and Cosheston was postponed, while St Twynnells had the bye. A catch-up fixture was also completed, ending St Twynnells 5–5 Cosheston.

Updated league table – Week 11

(Played – Won – Drawn – Lost – Shot Difference – Points)

East Williamston: 9–8–1–0 | +136 | 70 points
Reynalton: 9–5–1–3 | +54 | 53 points
St Johns: 9–4–1–4 | +14 | 46 points
Lamphey: 10–5–0–5 | +5 | 44 points
Hundleton: 9–4–1–4 | –17 | 44 points
St Twynnells: 9–4–1–4 | –34 | 43 points
Badgers: 10–3–1–6 | –41 | 43 points
Llanteg: 8–4–0–4 | –5 | 41 points
Cosheston: 9–3–1–5 | –13 | 40 points
Carew: 8–4–0–4 | –44 | 39 points
Kilgetty: 10–4–0–6 | –55 | 38 points

East Williamston remain clear leaders with a substantial shot-difference advantage, while the battle for the mid-table positions continues to tighten as the season progresses.

The South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association thanked teams for their cooperation with rearranged fixtures as the league moves toward the final stages.

Report courtesy of League Fixtures Secretary Steve Cox.