Sport

Bluebirds end season with narrow defeat to Cardif

Published

4 years ago

April 28, 2022

HAVERFORDWEST County were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Cardiff Metropolitan yesterday, as the JD Cymru Premier season drew to a close in front of a big crowd at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.

Over 700 people were in attendance on a sunny afternoon in Haverfordwest, and they may have thought the Bluebirds were on the way to victory when Ben Fawcett gave County the lead just after the half hour mark.

However, two goals in three minutes shortly before half-time from Joe Evans and Kyle McCarthy saw the Archers – who were being managed by Christian Edwards for the final time in regular league action – turn the game around, and they held on to claim the victory which clinches seventh place.

The result means the Bluebirds have to settle for 10th place, which ultimately marks a successful season with Nicky Hayen’s side securing their place in the top-flight for next season.

Hayen made two changes to the team from Monday’s defeat to Connah’s Quay Nomads, with Kyle Patten and Jordan Davies returning to the starting lineup in place of Ryan George and Ricky Watts.

And County made a positive start to the game, with Jack Wilson fizzing a ball across the face of goal which somehow managed to miss everyone, before Fawcett’s strike from just outside the area was well saved by Alex Lang.

Davies was next to go close when his shot from inside the area went just wide of the right post after the strike was played in by Henry Jones.

The Bluebirds defence had to be alert to block Eliot Evans’ volley from the edge of the area, before Davies had a second opportunity which he blazed over the crossbar.

Hayen’s side were ahead just a minute later though, when a pinpoint pass upfield by Jazz Richards fell into the path of Fawcett, who took a touch to control before sliding the ball past Lang for his eighth league goal of the season.

The lead would only last four minutes, however, when Eliot Evans’ corner picked out namesake Joe, who headed into the net to bring the visitors level.

And the comeback was complete with four minutes to go before half-time when McCarthy tried his luck from distance and unleashed an unstoppable effort which flew into the top left corner – leaving goalkeeper Lee Idzi with no chance.

Keen to turn the game back in their favour and send the supporters home happy ahead of next season, County were the team in the ascendency in the second-half.

Davies put the ball into the net just after the hour mark, but the linesman’s flag went up for a tight offside as the scoreline remained 2-1.

The on-loan forward went close with less than 20 minutes remaining when the ball bobbled around inside the penalty area before falling into his path, and he tried an overhead kick which went agonisingly over the bar.

Hayen’s side kept the pressure on as they searched for an equaliser in the closing stages, with Davies poking an effort just wide and Henry Jones’ shot from 30 yards out just going over the bar.

With five minutes added on at the end of the 90 minutes, there was still time for the hosts to find a dramatic late equaliser, and those in attendance must have thought it was about to come when Davies’ cross from the left picked out Henry Jones inside the area, but his header from a few yards out came back off the bar.

This was to be the final action of a gripping contest in front of the Sgorio cameras, as the Students held on for victory to rubber stamp their place in seventh.

Related Topics:Football Haverfordwest JD Cymru Premier pembrokeshire

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Sport

Haverfordwest RFC names Team of the Week

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST Rugby Football Club has announced its latest Team of the Week, celebrating standout performers from across the junior age groups following another busy weekend of fixtures.

Players from the U7s through to the U16s Eagles have been highlighted for their work rate, teamwork and commitment on the pitch, with coaches praising the effort shown by all who took part.

The club said the selections recognise not only individual performances but the dedication shown by players at training and during matches throughout the season.

Parents and supporters were quick to share their congratulations online, with particular praise for U12s players George Bentley and Tom Wheeler, who impressed during their fixture.

Team of the Week – 14 December 2025

U7s: Ollie Bromham & Arthur Slee
U8s: Theo Headland & Lyla Phillips
U9s: Theo Canton & George Thornton
U10s: Rhys Davies
U10s Eagles: Frankie Campbell
U11s: Griff Jenkins & Ollie Edwards
U12s: George Bentley & Tom Wheeler
U12s Eagles: Cyra Ellis
U15s: Logan Keane
U16s Eagles: Laura Cichon

Coaches thanked players and families for their continued support as Haverfordwest RFC moves through the winter fixtures, saying the positivity around the club remains a key part of its success.

Sport

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

Published

1 day 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

3 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)