Sport

Hudgell heads Goodwick to Cup glory

Published

7 years ago

May 14, 2018

GOODWICK United’s Lee Hudgell headed his side to a second West Wales Cup win in two years as they beat Penlan 1-0 in the West Wales Cup Final at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

The Pheonix boys won the Cup in 2016 as part of their historic treble winning season and they were keen to get their hands on the cup once again.

There was a good crowd of 674 and they witnessed a close game which could have gone either way.

Goodwick nearly went ahead after thirty seconds as Jordan Griffiths won the ball and headed on to Lee Hudgell who crossed into the box for Jonny Horgan but his volleyed effort went wide.

With five minutes gone Griffiths played Horgan in down the left but his shot again went just wide of the right hand post.

On eight minutes Wayne O’Sullivan brought down Penlan’s Darren Rowe on the edge of the box giving them a good opportunity. Dale Otten took the kick but Jamees Gwilt made an excellent save to deny him.

Moments later Jordan Griffiths danced his way through a number of players in the box but his shot was eventually saved by Penlan keeper Marcus Collins and the rebound was blocked wide.

Penlan’s Luke Chappell then came close but his curled effort went wide of the right hand post. Luke Dallin also found space down the left but his cross was blocked well by Stefan Hayes.

With twenty minutes gone Chappell won the ball back and Dallin took over but his shot also went wide of the posts.

Goodwick’s Horgan was causing problems down the left and when he was fouled after he made a cross the referee blew for a free kick and Kyle Barrett picked up the first yellow card of the game. The free kick was sent into the box but straight into the arms of the Penlan keeper.

Penlan’s Dallin then passed into the middle for Rowe but his goalbound effort was saved by Gwilt.

Kieran O’Brien then found space to run into the Penlan half and he passed to Griffiths but his shot on the turn was blocked.

Penlan looked to break and a great pass found Barrett but as he was about to pull the trigger, Llyr Tobin got back to make an excellent tackle.

Six minutes before half time, Dallin found Chappell whose shot was saved well by Gwilt but it wouldn’t have counted had it gone in as the linesman flagged for offside.

Dallin was proving a handful for Goodwick and he won a free kick on the left edge of the box which he took and had to be blocked wide by Goodwick’s defenders.

The half time whistle went with the score still locked at 0-0 and both sides were still in with a chance of lifting the cup.

There was a scrappy start to the second half as both sides committed fouls, one of which saw Wayne O’Sullivan booked.

It was Goodwick who had the first real chance of the second half ten minutes in as Hudgell crossed into the box but the ball was headed over by Penlan, away from the waiting O’Brien. From the resulting corner Horgan’s kick was headed in at the front post by Lee Hudgell.

Griffiths then had a chance to double Goodwick’s lead but his effort was blocked wide for a corner.

With twenty minutes to go, Goodwick’s Chris O’Sullivan was injured and he had to be brought off and replaced by Matty Delaney.

Matty was straight in on the action as he beat his man down the left before running into the box and stopping on the byline. Penlan keeper Collins came for the ball and appeared to catch Matty but no penalty was given.

Llyr Tobin was then sent off with ten minutes to go for a second bookable offence and Goodwick would have to hold on with ten men.

Penlan sent a number of crosses into the box but Goodwick dealt with them well. Otten had a chance from one such cross but he gave away a foul as he headed over.

James Gwilt, who had not had much to do, was alert as he punched away another free kick and the rebound was fired over.

Four minutes of added time were signalled and Gwilt again did well to pluck a dangerous cross out of the air.

Gwilt punched another free kick away and that sent Johnny Horgan through but his shot went agonisingly wide of the posts.

Penlan pushed but the final whistle went meaning Goodwick were West Wales Cup Champions yet again!

After the match, the Herald caught up with keeper Gwilt who said: “We’re delighted, the boys worked extremely hard and we ground it out and managed to win the cup.

“I’ve got a great back four in front of me so they make my life easy and we managed to keep them out so it is a great win.”

Chris O’Sullivan added: “It’s great for the club, for what it does throughout the season, it’s a great compliment to our team. It’s a professionally run club and everybody deserves it, they’ve worked hard for it.

“Both teams created a lot of chances first half and could have taken the lead. 0-0 at half time was a bit disappointing because we had some great chances but we knew we were always going to create chances and it was just a case of taking one of those and we know how to see a game out, we’re really well drilled and once we scored I was confident in seeing it through.”

Asked how the sending off affected the team, Chris said: “We work on things like that, we banked up with two banks of four, a coach of mine taught me that really well, Sean Cresser, so that experience in working alongside him helped us today, it worked, we’ve seen it out so it’s great for the club.”

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Sport

Manager reflects on unity, discipline, and a season built on belief

Published

3 days ago

May 18, 2025

Herald Sport

IN the days leading up to Sunday’s play-off final, Haverfordwest County manager Tony Pennock said one thing clearly: “The boys are looking forward to it and will be up for the challenge.”

He wasn’t wrong.

While supporters rightly celebrate a 3–1 win over Caernarfon Town and the return of European football to the club, it’s worth remembering that this moment was forged not in 90 minutes, but across a season built on togetherness, hard graft, and quiet conviction.

Pennock, reflecting before the final, pointed to signs he’d seen as early as last June.

“From the first session up at the Racecourse, then the beach the following week, you just saw a group that really wanted to work hard for each other,” he said.

That unity has defined the Bluebirds’ campaign. They achieved a club-record 51 points and finished with the best defensive record in the Cymru Premier — conceding just 26 goals in 32 games. It was a season not of flashy wins, but of collective discipline, focus, and belief.

And while Haverfordwest’s third-place finish guaranteed them a home final, it also meant an unusually long layoff — nearly four weeks without competitive football. For some, that might have spelled rust or lost momentum. For Pennock, it was opportunity.

“The break has given us a chance to get a few of the injured boys back fit,” he said on Friday. “No excuses from us — the boys are ready.”

Sunday’s performance proved that readiness, not just in energy but in character. It was a composed display from a squad that knew what was at stake and trusted in the process that had brought them this far.

Behind the scenes, there was also a challenge: keeping the squad focused and mentally prepared during the long wait. “Whatever happened in the previous 32 games doesn’t matter anymore,” Pennock said. “It’s all about Sunday.”

With the job now done and European qualification secured for the second year running, attention turns to logistics, the UEFA draw, and the question of whether Haverfordwest will again have to play at Cardiff City Stadium due to ground regulations.

But for now, the focus remains on a season that delivered on its promise — and on a manager who asked for belief and got it in return.

Photo caption: Stronger together: Haverfordwest’s season success rooted in unity and belief (Pic: HCAFC)

Cover photo by Pic by Craig Thomas/FAW

Sport

Bluebirds beat Caernarfon Town 3–1 to book place in UEFA Europa Conference League

Published

3 days ago

May 18, 2025

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC will once again fly the flag for Pembrokeshire in Europe after a thrilling 3–1 win over Caernarfon Town in the JD Cymru Premier European play-off final on Sunday (May 18).

In front of a passionate home crowd of 1,717 at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, the Bluebirds produced a composed and clinical performance to book their place in the First Qualifying Round of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Ben Ahmun opened the scoring for the hosts in the 17th minute with a composed finish, before Dan Hawkins doubled the lead shortly after the half-hour mark. Ahmun sealed the victory with his second of the afternoon in the 85th minute, rounding off a memorable display.

Caernarfon pulled one back deep into injury time through Louis Lloyd (90+4), but it was too little, too late for the visitors, as Haverfordwest celebrated back-to-back European qualifications — a historic achievement for the Pembrokeshire club.

This result means Haverfordwest will enter the UEFA Conference League at the First Qualifying Round, with the draw expected in mid-June and matches scheduled for July.

It continues an impressive rise for the club, who last summer thrilled supporters across Wales with their dramatic European ties against Shkëndija of North Macedonia, narrowly exiting the competition on penalties after a heroic second-leg performance in Cardiff.

The win also cements Haverfordwest’s growing reputation as a force in domestic Welsh football — with a strong squad, local support, and the experience of last year’s European campaign to build on.

Full-time: Haverfordwest County 3–1 Caernarfon Town

Scorers:

Haverfordwest – Ahmun (17, 85), Hawkins (32)

Caernarfon – Lloyd (90+4)

Attendance: 1,717

Venue: Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest

Competition: JD Cymru Premier European Play-Off Final

Photo caption:

Bluebirds flying high: Haverfordwest players celebrate after qualifying for Europe (Pic: HCAFC)

Sport

Carew crush Llangwm as title race begins to take shape

Published

3 days ago

May 18, 2025

Herald Sport

CAREW remain the team to beat in Division One of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League after another dominant performance, as the early-season table starts to take shape.

The 2022 champions were ruthless against Llangwm, piling on a massive 365-5 before skittling the visitors for just 102 — winning by 263 runs. Nick Davies struck a classy 101, supported by 88 from Shaun Whitfield and 62 from Tim Hicks. In reply, James Hinchcliffe tore through the Llangwm batting with figures of 4-8, while Iori Hicks chipped in with 2-15.

Cresselly remain on their heels, comfortably beating Lawrenny by eight wickets. After bowling Lawrenny out for 119 — with Tom Arthur taking 3-29 and Charlie Arthur 3-32 — Morgan Lewis (60) and Charlie Arthur (41*) saw them home in just 21.5 overs.

Neyland kept pace near the top with a hard-fought four-wicket win over Burton. Ashley Sutton’s 76 and Dai Davies’s unbeaten 23 proved vital after Burton posted 147 all out, with Luke Hayman contributing 22 and taking 3-35 in a losing effort.

Saundersfoot also chalked up a win, chasing down 102 to beat Whitland by seven wickets. Prashant Gautam was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-10, while Nick Cope took 4-21 and hit 26 not out to complete a fine all-round display.

Haverfordwest edged past Herbrandston by four wickets in a nervy low-scoring affair. Herbie were dismissed for 98, with Chris Phillips taking 3-11 and Fin Ateyo 3-13. Ben Field guided Town to victory with a patient unbeaten 50.

DIVISION ONE RESULTS – SATURDAY, MAY 17

Carew 365-5 (Nick Davies 101, S. Whitfield 88) beat Llangwm 102 all out by 263 runs
Cresselly 123-2 (Morgan Lewis 60) beat Lawrenny 119 all out by 8 wickets
Neyland 148-6 (Ashley Sutton 76) beat Burton 147 all out by 4 wickets
Saundersfoot 103-3 (Nick Cope 26no, Gautam 5-10) beat Whitland 102 all out by 7 wickets
Haverfordwest 100-6 (Ben Field 50no) beat Herbrandston 98 all out by 4 wickets

DIVISION ONE TABLE (AFTER WEEK 4)

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Carew	4	4	0	18	20	78
2	Cresselly	4	4	0	17	17	76
3	Neyland	4	3	1	16	18	66
4	Saundersfoot	4	3	1	15	14	62
5	Haverfordwest	4	2	2	15	13	50
6	Burton	4	1	3	14	16	40
7	Lawrenny	4	1	3	12	15	39
8	Herbrandston	4	1	3	14	14	38
9	Whitland	4	1	3	15	11	36
10	Llangwm	4	0	4	10	12	22

DIVISION TWO: Narberth and Pembroke unbeaten

Narberth stay top with a dominant 155-run win over Johnston. Jamie McCormack smashed a stunning 175, before Ryan Williams (4-49) helped bowl Johnston out for 169.

Pembroke are hot on their heels after chasing down Hook’s 230 with six wickets in hand. Jack Harries was the standout, finishing unbeaten on 125.

Carew II and Llechryd also enjoyed wins, while St Ishmaels crushed Burton II by 217 runs, with Brennan Devonald (136) and Peter Bradshaw (83) in the runs.

Division Two table (Top 3):

Narberth – 78 pts
Pembroke – 76 pts
Hook – 65 pts

DIVISION THREE: Fishguard flying

Fishguard top Division Three after an eight-wicket win at Stackpole. Nigel Delaney anchored the chase with 63 not out.

Jake Davie’s unbeaten 96 helped Pembroke Dock beat Hundleton by 72 runs, while Steve Williams (73) and Charlie Holder (54) powered Hook II past Laugharne.

Elsewhere, Lamphey edged out Kilgetty by 3 wickets, and Neyland II held off Haverfordwest II in a tight contest.

Division Three table (Top 3):

Fishguard – 69 pts
Pembroke Dock – 64 pts
Kilgetty – 52 pts

DIVISION FOUR: Saundersfoot II stay perfect

Saundersfoot II made it four from four with an eight-wicket win over Narberth II. Lewis Treadway-Williams top-scored with 44 not out.

Pembroke II were equally dominant, thrashing Haverfordwest III by 131 runs with Paul White unbeaten on 118.

Crymych and St Ishmaels II also recorded big wins, while Carew III saw off Lawrenny II by 70 runs.

Division Four table (Top 3):

Saundersfoot II – 76 pts
Crymych – 68 pts
Pembroke II – 67 pts

DIVISION FIVE: Pembroke Dock II out front

In Division Five, Pembroke Dock II made light work of Haverfordwest IV, winning by nine wickets. Tom Grimwood hit an unbeaten 60.

Herbrandston II defeated Hundleton II, while Llechryd II cruised to victory over Cresselly III. Whitland II and Neyland III did not play.

Division Five table (Top 3):

Pembroke Dock II – 67 pts
Whitland II – 65 pts
Herbrandston II – 65 pts

DIVISION SIX: Lamphey II climbing

Lamphey II secured a seven-wicket win over Kilgetty II, while Whitland III eased past Llechryd III by ten wickets. Pembroke III won a low-scoring game against Haverfordwest/Cresselly.

Division Six table (Top 3):