Sport
West Wales Cup Final Preview: Merlins Bridge v Carew

ON Tuesday, May 7, Merlins Bridge will take on Carew in the Final of the West Wales Cup Final at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.
In a historic night, it will be the first all-Pembrokeshire final and both will be keen to follow in the footsteps of Goodwick United who won the trophy in 2018.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season with the most recent coming in the Senior Cup Final on April 20.
Carew took the lead in that game, only for the Bridge to come back with two late goals to seal the win.
It was another close game, much like their two league encounters and, now the league season has finished, it will be a battle between the team who finished second in Merlins Bridge and the team who finished fourth in the table.
Route to the final
Merlins Bridge began their run to the final with a 1-0 win away to Kilvey Fords in October with Will Haworth grabbing the only goal to send them through to round 2.
The Wizards were again drawn away from home to last season’s beaten finalists Penlan Club but they again came back with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Joe Leahy.
In the third round Merlins Bridge played Monkton Swifts and two goals from Nathan Greene and another from Leahy gave them a 3-0 win.
Leahy and Greene were at it again in the fourth round as they both scored to earn the Wizards a 2-1 win over Swansea side Llandarcy.
Merlins Bridge were drawn at home to Plough Colts in the last eight and earned a 5-2 win with Adam Hawkins scoring twice and other goals from Leahy, Greene and Dai Davies.
In the semi-final they took on rivals Hakin United in what turned out to be a thrilling game. Adam Hawkins levelled after Hakin had taken the lead and the game was forced into extra time.
Joe Leahy put the Wizards ahead only for Hakin to score again to score again and force the game into penalties. Gary Thomas was the hero for the Wizards saving the last penalty as they went through with an 8-7 shootout win.
Joe Leahy has scored in each round since the second round and having scored the two goals against them in the Senior Cup final, Carew will be well aware of his threat.
Having reached the last four last season, Carew received a bye for the first round and began their run to the final in round 2 where they were drawn away to Burry Port.
Two goals each from Jordan Richards and Scott Ferney and another from Lloyd Hughes saw them to a 5-2 win over the Carmarthenshire League Division 1 side.
In round three the Rooks took on Loughor Rovers and eased to an 8-0 win with Hughes scoring four and Jordan Richards scoring a hat trick. Ferney grabbed the other goal.
Shaun Whitfield, Sam Christopher, Scott Ferney and Jordan Richards each scored in round four to earn a 4-0 win for the Rooks away at Maltsters Sports.
In the last eight, Carew played Mumbles Rangers at home and they came from two goals down to win 3-2 with brothers Sam and Jack Christopher on the score sheet alongside Whitfield.
In the semi-final, Carew took on Giants Grave and they came from behind again with four first half goals to all but seal their passage.
Sam Christopher and Lloyd Hughes both scored twice in the game.
Christopher also scored against the Bridge in the Senior Cup Final and he along with the likes of Pembrokeshire League top scorer Jordan Richards and Scott Ferney will prove a big threat to the Wizards.
What the managers say
Merlins Bridge manager Matthew Divry told the Herald: “We trained on Wednesday at the Bridge Meadow which was a tactical session and we will be training on Saturday on the 4G surface at Caer Elen.
“We know the Liberty is a good surface so it was good to be able to train at these places.
“We haven’t done anything different, we’ve played a number of games recently so with the training we’ve had we’ll be ready to go on Tuesday.
“We’ve got a fully fit squad to choose from.
“We didn’t play to our full potential in the Senior Cup final so a lot of our training has been based on trying to get back to how we want to play.
“The Liberty is a big pitch and we are looking forward to it, it’s the first ever one for the club.
“We’ve got a few previous winners in our squad so we’re hoping those experiences will pay off for us.”
Carew manager Rob Scourfield said: “It’s a big game for the football club and we’re really, really looking forward to it. It’s the first time in the West Wales Cup Final so it will be a great occasion for the village and the club. We can’t wait.
“We played quite well in the Senior Cup Final in the but in the last ten minutes they were better than us.
“However, this is a totally different game and we’re just looking forward and concentrating on the game itself.
“We have a very similar squad to choose from that played in the Senior Cup Final and we have five subs this time so it will be good to get everybody involved.
Sport
Henri Cynwyl claims podium in Wigan rally

Cardigan teenager secures second place in F1000 Junior battle
CARDIGAN rally talent Henri Cynwyl secured a well-earned second place at the Compbrake Motorsport Stages in Wigan over the weekend, in a tightly fought contest between the top three F1000 Junior drivers.
The 16-year-old Pembrokeshire College student, competing with co-driver Geraint Evans from north Wales, took to the track in his Citroën C1 against 12 other juniors under bright northern skies. Despite the circuit’s go-kart-style layout not playing to the car’s strengths, Henri put in a strong and consistent performance across the 12 two-mile stages.
“It was more of a go-kart track, which didn’t really suit the car that much,” said Henri. “But it was great to get seat time and earn more points for the overall British Championship. Any experience behind the wheel is invaluable, and I’m really grateful to my sponsors for making it possible.”
Henri, who works as an apprentice at DJ Hoyland Electricians in Cardigan, is part of the Teifi Valley Motor Club and currently leads the F1000 Junior Championship standings. With six rounds remaining—including a double-header in Scotland this July—the championship remains wide open, with drop scores and new venues adding to the challenge.
His mother, Anwen, praised the spirit of the event: “He drove well all day, and his times were consistent throughout. The young drivers all support each other—it’s like one big family. The parents all pitch in with food and drink, offering advice and encouragement. There aren’t many clubs or sports where you see that kind of camaraderie and sportsmanship. We’re lucky to be part of the F1000 community.”
As the season continues, all eyes will be on Henri to see if he can hold his lead and take the title in what promises to be a thrilling finish.
Sport
Manager reflects on unity, discipline, and a season built on belief

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

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)
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