News
Ill-discipline on the rise in WPL
FIGURES just released by the FAW Disciplinary Department show a worrying increase in yellow and red cards over the season just gone.
The FAW Fairplay Table for the Welsh Premier League sees The New Saints top the table with four red cards and 38 yellows just ahead of Bala Town on 2/46 – just ten penalty points behind.
Newtown and Airbus come third and fourth respectively, with hometown club Carmarthen Town coming a respectable halfway.
Interestingly the four clubs representing Wales in UEFA club competitions are also the top four in the fair-play table, suggesting that the teams below are resorting to dark arts to stop their superior opponents from playing.
At the other end Rhyl are bottom with the worst record points-wise with 410 for nine reds and 78 yellows. Druids hit double figures in reds with ten.
The red cards per-match-ratio of 0.38 is the highest ever recorded since stats began in 1994. That’s a red card every three matches.
Likewise the per-match-ratio for yellow cards is 3.95 touching on four bookings per match – again the highest on record.
The importance of disciplinary improvement is highlighted by the rewards possible for overall good behaviour.
UEFA give three Europa League places to the three nations with the best record over the season. This takes in national team (all ages) behaviour, clubs in European competition, fans behaviour etc. These three nations are allowed then to enter the highest placed club in their own Fair-play table that is not already qualified for UEFA competition.
This year England submitted West Ham United, Holland’s representatives are Go Ahead Eagles Deventer and University College Dublin will be representing the Republic of Ireland.
Wales were 19th in the UEFA Fairplay Ranking but had it hit the top three then Aberystwyth Town would have been playing in the Europa League.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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John
July 20, 2015 at 3:13 am
Kick out Hakin Utd. Problem solved.