Sport

Spotlight – Clarbeston Road

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2024

We sat down with Clarbeston Road manager Matthew Fox after his team’s impressive win over Hakin United Saturday. His team has impressed and turned heads up and down the county over the past few months. We got some insight on the story of their season so far.

Herald – Matt thanks for taking the time to talk to us today! It’s good timing as I’m sure you’re still on a high after Saturdays win?

Matt – No problem it is my pleasure to catch up. Of course, we are delighted with the result Saturday. That is Hakin’s first League defeat of the season so to win down there is a massive credit to the lads. Especially with the amount of fitness work they put in over the Christmas break. But we are not complacent, we know that we cannot waste the effort of last week’s result only to then drop points this week. The league is fairly relentless and that shows where we go to Merlins Bridge this week which will be a really tough game. They are above us in the league, even though we do have some games in hand, but they have not lost since the beginning of October so they will be full of confidence also. Therefore, certainly no time to sit back and enjoy one good result! The target for us will be to continue getting good results week on week and the preparation for Saturday started Monday and we will be training again this week so we are ready for Saturday.

Herald – Saturday was your second win over Hakin this year. Have you had thoughts of disrupting the ‘top’ two?

Matt – We had an indifferent start to the season so after those early couple of defeats I would have taken not being relegated at that stage of the season let alone disrupt Goodwick or Hakin!! But no, as the the old football cliché goes, our aim is only focus on the next game and that is what we will be doing this Saturday. Hakin will be right up there at the end of the Season, Skinny will get them bang at it next week, but I do think it is now Goodwick’s to lose. Leon Luby and Cam Thomas being injured for Hakin hasn’t helped them, but Goodwick beat us convincingly at their place early in the season, and in the return fixture, it was a lot closer game than the 4-0 scoreline suggests. But still, they have taken 6 points from us and under Sully and Lee Morgan, they won’t show any complacency. Our aim will to be to finish as high as we can but to do that we have to be consistent week on week.

Herald – Obviously Goodwick would take some catching this season, so what are your goals for the rest of the season?

Matt – I agree, I don’t see Goodwick being caught in the League now. So after knocking one of the Senior Cup favourites out of the competition, you have to look at being in and around the competition come Final Day. However, there will be 16 other teams in round two thinking exactly the same thing!! In round two we have the winner of Fishguard or St Ishmaels,who have steadied themselves well in Division Two, so we cannot look further than that really as a trip to either is going to be tough. But it would be great to get back to the Meadow if we could and we will be all out to try and do that, not least to avenge the last time we got to the final where Hakin walloped us 7-1!

Herald – What’s pleased you most about this season so far?

Matt – It is probably the togetherness in the squad and the club as a whole. We train as one squad, firsts and seconds and we regularly have 30 plus training in all weathers. We all know the amount of work the committee at Clarbeston Road do for the club under the watch of Chairman Steve Brown so it is nice to put a team out every Saturday that they can be proud of and make the work that they do worthwhile. I would also have to say the amount of youngsters coming through to Senior football at the club and a large credit for that goes to the Junior Coaches at the club, not least, Raph Barnett our second team manager as he brought through seven or eight players from Junior football, that are now involved between the two squads every week.

Herald – If you had to pick out your teams main strength what would it be?

Matt – I would say team spirit and the blend of youth and experience. We often get labelled with “tricky” or “Sticky” opponents which suggests sometimes we are just hard to play against,but I feel sometimes we haven’t had the credit we deserve for our ability to play ourselves. We have quality now right through the squads and plenty in reserve so this season we have been far less disrupted by unavailability as we have quality players who can come in when players are away and make the position their own. We went to Hakin Saturday without our Club Captain, Rheinallt George and still won. That is a credit to the lads taking their opportunities when called upon and the depth of our squad this season.

Herald – And finally, where do you see the team and the club aiming to go in the next couple of years? Is it a long term project?

Matt – It most definitely is a long term project both on and off the field. My co-manager Matt Ellis is still playing exceptionally well at the ripe old ag of 39 and I think the way he is going he will be still playing at 49! Off the field there are plans for the changing rooms and training facilities to be developed at our Knock Field site and on the pitch we just want to improve year on year, keep bringing youngsters through and giving them a chance and enjoy everything that is good about Pembrokeshire League football. Like many other clubs in Pembrokeshire, we would like to look at options for the West Wales Premier League but geography is the biggest challenge we all face with most games in the Swansea area. We really feel that we can push teams at that level as we did against League Leaders Evans and Williams in the West Wales Cup. But for now we will continue working hard at what we are doing and look to improve week on week, year on year so maybe we can disrupt the “Top Two!”

News

Haverfordwest sailor leads global team to historic victory in Korea

Published

24 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Herald Sport

Lou Boorman celebrates home port win in round-the-world yacht race

A HAVERFORDWEST-born sailor has led her team to a landmark victory on the global stage, winning a major leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as it arrived in South Korea.

Lou Boorman, aged 23, skippered Team Tongyeong to first place as the fleet sailed into the Korean port city this week (Mar 16), marking a historic moment for the race.

The win is particularly significant as it is the first time the round-the-world event has ever stopped in Korea – and the home team claimed the top spot.

Speaking from the yacht after crossing the finish line, Lou said: “We did it, we performed under the pressure! To get a win into our home port, I can die happy!”

From Pembrokeshire to the world stage

Lou, who grew up in Haverfordwest, has quickly risen through the ranks of competitive sailing. Before taking on the challenge of leading a Clipper Race team, she had already secured titles as British, Irish and Welsh Female Champion.

Now skippering one of the race’s international teams, she is responsible not only for navigation and strategy, but also for leading a diverse crew – many of whom had never sailed before joining the race.

The Clipper Race is one of the toughest endurance challenges in sport, covering 40,000 nautical miles over eleven months, with crews facing extreme weather conditions ranging from freezing Pacific crossings to equatorial heat.

High-stakes gamble pays off

Team Tongyeong took a major risk during this stage, playing its ‘Joker’ card – a race tactic that doubles points if successful.

The gamble paid off, earning the team maximum points and securing their place at the top of the leaderboard.

Lou said: “We’ve worked really hard and put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Going into our home port there is a lot of pressure to perform, and we added to that pressure by playing our Joker – and we got twenty points, so I’m very proud of the team.”

This marks the team’s second win in recent stages, building momentum as they pass the halfway point of the global race.

Life at sea and leadership challenges

Reflecting on her journey so far, Lou highlighted the challenges of leadership as much as the physical demands of sailing.

She said: “Sometimes the sailing comes second to the people because they are the important ones. To lead them through that is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but it’s also one of the most rewarding.”

She added: “My favourite thing about sailing is the magic of the sea, the stars, the storms and the remoteness. I feel free and at my happiest at sea.”

Global race continues

The Clipper Race fleet will remain in Tongyeong for a week of cultural events before setting off across the North Pacific towards Seattle.

The race will later visit Panama, Washington DC, and Oban before returning to Portsmouth this summer, completing a full circumnavigation of the globe.

For Pembrokeshire, Lou’s achievement puts a local name firmly on the world sailing map – and highlights the global reach of talent from West Wales.

Sport

New2Golf scheme returns to South Pembrokeshire Golf Club

Published

2 days ago

March 17, 2026

Herald Sport

Six-week beginner programme offers affordable route into the sport

SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE GOLF CLUB is preparing to launch its popular New2Golf scheme for 2026, with the latest intake starting on Monday (Apr 13).

Now in its eighth year at the Pembroke Dock course, the initiative offers a low-cost and welcoming introduction to golf. All equipment and professional tuition are included for a small fee, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities – including complete beginners who have never picked up a club before.

The scheme is also ideal for those who have previously played golf and are looking to return to the game after a break.

Participants will receive coaching from qualified golf professionals at the club’s practice ground during early evening sessions over a six-week period. There will also be an option to continue with further sessions after the initial programme.

Golf provides a great opportunity to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and meet new people. As a low-impact sport, it allows players to gradually build fitness while learning new skills. Whether approached competitively or socially, it offers a relaxed and enjoyable way to spend time outdoors.

Last year’s New2Golf intake ranged in age from eight to 70, highlighting the sport’s broad appeal and accessibility.

Located in Pennar, Pembroke Dock, South Pembrokeshire Golf Club enjoys scenic views over the Haven waterway. The club has a thriving membership across junior, ladies’, men’s and seniors’ sections, and prides itself on being friendly and supportive to new players.

Members regularly help newcomers develop their skills on the course, offering guidance on rules, techniques and course play.

The clubhouse also serves as a social hub, offering home-cooked food, a bar and meeting facilities, with a busy calendar of events throughout the year.

Anyone who has ever considered taking up golf – or returning to the sport – is encouraged to get involved.

For more information or to enrol in the 2026 New2Golf scheme, contact [email protected] or visit the Wales Golf website.

New2Golf is organised and supported by Wales Golf.

Sport

Bluebirds leave it late to beat Cardiff Met at the Meadow

Published

2 days ago

March 17, 2026

Herald Sport

Jones strike secures vital win as County stay top of play-off conference

HAVERFORDWEST County returned to winning ways on Friday (Mar 13) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cardiff Metropolitan at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.

Substitute OWAIN JONES proved the difference, scoring with ten minutes remaining to seal all three points for the Bluebirds in front of a crowd of more than 500.

The result means County maintain their four-point lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier Play-Off Conference with just four games left to play.

Slow first half

Chances were limited during a quiet opening period, with neither side able to gain control.

The game was disrupted by a lengthy 12-minute stoppage after Cardiff Met striker Lewis Rees required treatment following a collision with Panashe Makwiramiti.

When play resumed, both sides struggled to build momentum. Dylan Rees came closest for the hosts before the break, first delivering a dangerous cross that narrowly missed teammates before seeing a long-range effort drift just wide.

Cardiff Met’s best opportunity came late in the half when Dixon Kabongo fired over from inside the area.

***Kyle Kenniford advances away from Lifumpa Mwandwe. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)***

Pressure builds after break

County looked sharper after the restart and began to apply sustained pressure.

Greg Walters saw a header deflected wide early in the second half, before the hosts had the ball in the net moments later, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Dan Hawkins then forced a low save from goalkeeper Ewan Griffiths, while Walters again went close with an effort from inside the box.

With chances continuing to come and go, manager Tony Pennock turned to his bench, introducing Owain Jones and Iori Humphreys midway through the half.

Jones strikes late

The breakthrough finally came on 80 minutes.

A corner caused confusion in the Cardiff Met defence, and the ball fell kindly for JONES, who bundled it over the line from close range to send the home supporters into celebration.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser late on, but Ifan Knott was rarely troubled as County held firm through the closing stages.

The victory sees Haverfordwest County strengthen their position at the top of the Play-Off Conference as they head into the final weeks of the season.

They are back in action on Saturday (Mar 21) when they travel to Bala Town.

Cover image:

Greg Walters shifts the ball away from Cardiff Metropolitan captain CJ Craven. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)