Sport

College cruise to Vale victory

Published

10 years ago

March 3, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire College 4 Cardiff and Vale College 2

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On a freezing, wet and windy day at the Bridge Meadow the Valero sponsored Pembrokeshire College welcomed their counterparts from Cardiff and Vale College in what promised to be a testing encounter.

The hosts got off to the perfect start when after just 90 seconds a free kick was awarded just inside the left hand touchline. Winger Fraser Finley delivered a teasing ball into the heart of the penalty area and when the Vale defence was unable to clear the danger, Lewis Watts capitalised to stab home from close range and give his side the lead.

With 15 minutes gone Pembrokeshire suffered a blow when Jordan Kilby went off injured after a crunching tackle in midfield left the midfield man nursing an ankle injury.

This allowed the Vale to move into the ascendency for a 5 minute spell as the hosts adapted to the change, but the solid Pembrokeshire backline repelled the danger the visiting attack threw at them, and when the Vale did manage to create a shooting opportunity they could only find the arms of Ben Aldred in the Pembrokeshire goal, playing out of his usual position of centre midfield.

They were made to pay for their inability to turn chances into goals when the hosts doubled their lead after 25 minutes when right sided midfield player Jake ‘Leon’ Luby was given time to pick out a cross into the box, when it went just over its intended target, the home defence failed to react to the bouncing ball, and it made it’s way through to Louis Thompson who had all the time in the world to control the ball before slotting it under Patrick Lane in the Vale goal.

With the soft surface cutting up a frustrated Vale side started to put in some zealous challenges, and when one of these challenges strayed over the boundary of acceptable, there was a flare up between the two sides, which was soon extinguished by referee Colin Newberry.

The visitors were now looking ragged and just after the half hour mark the college’s Haverfordwest Welsh Premier League star Spencer Williams was afforded an eternity of space 25 yards out, and the visitors were taught that you simply cannot allow a player of his quality that sort of time. They sat back and watched as he unleashed a ferocious shot into the far corner of the net. Despite the pureness of the strike, it is not one that Lane will want to see again however, as the Vale stopper put his arms up nonchalantly as if to suggest the shot was heading wide, only to be left red faced when it nestled inside the post.

With forages into the Pembrokeshire half now something of a rarity it was something of a surprise when the visitors got themselves back into the game, albeit thanks to a rather soft penalty. As Mikey George attacked through the right hand channel, he went down under an innocuous challenge by George Taylor and the appeals from his teammates were enough to see a penalty awarded. Luke Davison stepped up to confidently slot past Aldred to send the Vale in at the break with a lifeline.

After the break the Vale came out with renewed intent following their lift before the interval, and they were unfortunate not to score when Khalid Yousef saw his shot brilliantly tipped over by Aldred with just a minute played.

With the Vale attacking there was plenty of pace on the counter, with left-winger Finlay in particular enjoying a lot of space to attack, and through his outlet the college always looked a threat.

The game turned into a midfield battle with the hosts shading the possession, and with the visitors now out of ideas, the game was put beyond them when a hopeful ball through by Thompson caused confusion in the Vale defence. Failing to give a clear shout, the onrushing Lane took out his own centre back, allowing Luby to run through unopposed and tap the ball into the empty net.

With the game now won there was still time for some late drama as substitute Donovan Griffin got onto the end of a deep cross from first team debutant Ben John, but the diminutive wide man saw his header come back of the underside of the bar before being hooked clear.

The drama didn’t stop there, as with the game all but over the impressive Yousif in the Vale midfield struck the goal of the game as he glided forward from deep before curling a beautiful effort into the top corner of the goal past Aldred from fully 25-yards.

Next Wednesday (Mar 9) the College take on top of the table Coleg y Cymoedd (Nantgarw) at the Bridge Meadow, 1.30pm kick off.

Pembrokeshire College Team:

Ben Aldred, Jacob Knox, George Taylor (C), Ewan Jones, Matthew Dickinson, Jake ‘Leon’ Luby, Spencer Williams, Jordan Kilby, Fraser Finlay, Lewis Watts, Louis Thompson, Donovan Griffin, Dan Raicu, Will Bateman, Ben John

Sport

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

Published

19 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

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)

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.