Sport

Bluebirds wear Undy down

Published

9 years ago

May 5, 2017

Haverfordwest County 2

Undy Athletic AFC 1

A WIN by a penalty and an own-goal in the last ten minutes doesn’t sound too spectacular, but the Bluebirds on balance deserved the win after a game which saw many mistakes but a great deal of effort and craft.

Conditions were tricky with a hard surface and gusty wind making control difficult. But the Bluebirds left the ball-over-the-top style they have tended to use lately and went for more of a close-passing game which was often quite exhilarating in the build-up but which could not crack the Undy defence until the 80th minute.

Undy by contrast played a quicker, more direct game and threatened on several occasions, but were often let down by some poor finishing.

With Greg Walters and Lee Hudgell industrious in midfield, the Blues built up several attacks in the first half, but Rhys Dalling and Steffan Williams were finding it a little harder than usual to get round two stubborn Undy full backs, and Hudgell, who is capable of splitting a defence wide open with a single unexpected pass, did not quite have luck on his side, as the ball bobbled and turned.

After Kieran O’Brien had taken a nasty knock and the Blues’ side was re-shuffled, Ricky Watts added more fire-power to the midfield but although the Blues had sixty per cent of the play, it was Undy who came nearer to scoring when James Gwilt saved superbly from Ben Lawrence and then spurned a cross from Gareth Cuckmore.

On the stroke of half-time Sean Pemberton conceded a yellow card and a free kick on the edge of the area but Dan Morgan blasted his shot over.

The second half started with the same contrast in styles. Undy’s Chris Parry blazed over wildly, and an exquisite five-man Bluebirds’ move saw keeper James Smallcombe do extremely well to turn a Dalling shot on to the post.

Pemberton headed over from a Hudgell corner and the Blues were exerting some pressure but Undy still looked dangerous on the break.

The danger materialized in the 70th minute when a free kick from the touchline was powerfully headed in by sub Ben Roberts.

The Blues rallied and Smallcombe brought off another stunning save to turn over a stinging shot from Kristian Speake.

A minute later, in the 82nd minute, a rash trip in the penalty area gave the Blues a spot kick and Steff Williams hammered it into the top corner.

The winner came three minutes later after a spirited run by Steffan Davies who forced his way into the area and set up a scramble which saw Dalling’s final flick deflecting in off a defender. The Blues finish the season in fourth place.

Sport

Haverfordwest County Under-13 girls shine at final FAW festival

Published

19 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls have praised their under-13s after another strong showing at the third and final FAW Festival of the season.

The young Bluebirds travelled to Colliers Park in Wrexham on Saturday (Apr 4), where they once again impressed with their performances.

Club officials said the girls had performed fantastically well throughout the season, adding that everyone at Haverfordwest County was incredibly proud of their efforts.

The squad for the day was Libby O, Ela I, Ines M, Mila E, Scarlett C, Rachel B, Lydia H, Lilly M, Zara E, Leila P and Lillie EJ.

Well done girls.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League week 22 results

Published

20 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

RESULTS from week 22 of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association Friendly League have been confirmed, with Badgers recording a comprehensive 10-0 win over Lamphey and St Twynnells edging past Cosheston 6-4.

An earlier fixture also saw Cosheston claim a 10-0 victory over Reynalton.

Several matches were postponed during the week, including Kilgetty v Carew, Llanteg v St Twynnells and Hundleton v East Williamston.

St Johns had the bye.

Latest results:
Cosheston 4 St Twynnells 6
Badgers 10 Lamphey 0
Cosheston 10 Reynalton 0

League table after week 22:
East Williamston — Played 19, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Shot difference 169, Points 126
St Johns — Played 20, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 7, Shot difference 132, Points 118
Reynalton — Played 20, Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference 24, Points 99
St Twynnells — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Shot difference 9, Points 99
Carew — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 9, Shot difference -12, Points 98
Hundleton — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Shot difference -7, Points 97
Llanteg — Played 18, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 8, Shot difference -16, Points 95
Badgers — Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -104, Points 89
Cosheston — Played 19, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference -39, Points 88
Lamphey — Played 20, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 11, Shot difference -71, Points 80
Kilgetty — Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -85, Points 73

League officials have reminded clubs that all outstanding matches must be completed by midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Sport

Amman United Youth suffer agonising semi-final defeat

Published

21 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

Cup final dream slips away as Newcastle Emlyn battle back to seal 20-19 win in windy Carmarthenshire Cup clash

AMMAN UNITED YOUTH saw their Carmarthenshire Cup final hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday (Apr 4) as Newcastle Emlyn snatched a 20-19 victory in a dramatic semi-final.

Played in difficult, windy conditions, the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with Amman left to rue a series of handling errors that allowed the visitors back into the game.

Newcastle Emlyn made the stronger start, taking an early 3-0 lead through a penalty and then missing a chance to add to their tally.

Amman responded well and took control of the first half. Captain Ceian Lewis crossed following a well-worked catch-and-drive to put his side 5-3 in front. Toby Slater then produced an excellent touchline conversion in tough conditions to extend the lead to 7-3.

Amman continued to build momentum when Harvey Duncan made a sharp break down the wing to score their second try. Slater was again on target with an impressive conversion in the wind, giving his side a 14-3 lead at the break.

But the game turned soon after the restart. A costly Amman mistake allowed Newcastle Emlyn back into the contest, with the visitors scoring in the corner before adding the conversion to close the gap to 14-10.

Amman appeared to have steadied themselves when Kelston Fairhurst powered over from another catch-and-drive, stretching the lead to 19-10.

However, Newcastle Emlyn refused to give in. Strong forward play brought them another try, and the conversion cut the deficit to just two points at 19-17 as the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

The decisive moment came in the final five minutes when another Amman handling error handed Emlyn a crucial opportunity. The visitors worked their way into range and slotted a late penalty to edge ahead 20-19.

Amman had one final chance to rescue the game and opted for a catch-and-drive from a late penalty, having already found success with that tactic earlier in the match. This time, though, Newcastle Emlyn held firm to deny them and secure their place in the final.

It was a bitter end for Amman United Youth, who had looked in control at half-time, but Newcastle Emlyn showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.