Groundhog Llanelli

On December 13th 2024 Haverfordwest missed a huge opportunity by succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Llanelli in the Welsh Cup. 2 sucker punch goals that beat Zac Jones without a Bluebirds answer was enough for Llanelli Town to progress into the next round. Haverfordwest left the LHP Stadium bewildered and frustrated how this was able to happen. A huge opportunity to go far in the competition disappeared and whimpered to its demise. 

We had vengeance on our mind. We needed to right this wrong, however, with the team in poor form and Llanelli winning their last game the psychological advantage was in the hands of the hosts. 

All Bluebirds fans who were representing the club today were all there with about half hour till kick off. Lots of cars went up and two minibuses. It was a really good effort by everyone who made the trip to Carmarthenshire. 

We put all the flags we took with us up and commandeered the left-hand side of the main stand, and below this part was full of Blues. Regardless of how the game went, the support here was excellent.

The Blue Wall! Photo belongs to Jamie Edwards Photography.

The game starts very open and very 50/50. The early chances Llanelli had, Knott collected early balls well and commanded his area. 

After a few early shots that Knott had collected comfortably, Llanelli had a long throw into Knott’s box, which was briefly cleared away. This only found a red shirt on the wing. The ball was played hard and low into the box, coming off former Bluebird, Danny Williams and trickled into the goal. A really disappointing goal to concede. 

Despite this, Haverfordwest were playing really well. Sheppy was dictating play in the middle, pinging the ball into the channels, but for a couple Tom Shepherd/Rhys Abu weren't on the same wavelength. 

Greg had a half volley shot at goal, which Alex Pennock had safely palmed away, only to find Elliott Scotcher, who shot directly into the hands of Llanelli's number 1.

Dan Hawkins and Corey Shephard were floating lovely balls into the box, but nothing came from them. 

Another chance from the Bluebirds came to Ben Ahmun. After an untidy scuffle in the box which Llanelli couldn't clear, it fell to Ben's feet, he shot…straight into the hands of the keeper. You could hear multiple people mumble or tell their partner next to them

“Either side of the keeper and he scores that”. Or to that effect. 

Going into the break, 1-0 down was disappointing. But I thought a halftime pint would make up for that…wrong. After walking to the opposite side of the ground, we entered their clubhouse. The criticism that the Haverfordwest clubhouse at Ogi Bridge Meadow has is that it's too small. In my opinion, ours and Llanelli's are probably about the same size, but the layout is much better. 

We've always been told that a new clubhouse/redeveloping that whole area plus the dressing room area is a long-term plan, but comparing ours to Llanelli, it's pretty much a similar size but laid out better and has proper booths. (Before anyone says they have a function room, they do, but I'm just talking about the main bar area.) 

You often go to different places and have seen that different beers are at different prices, which is to be expected. However, what shocked me was that the Coors was £4.50! Christ knows what a good lager would have cost! 

We regained our place in the stand, ready for the second half, just hoping the break hadn't dropped the confidence of our players. 

In the opening few minutes, a returning Elliot Scotcher had a good chance that sailed over the bar. And further on in the start of the half, the Bluebirds had an indirect free kick inside the box due to Alex Pennock picking up the ball from a pass from his own player. This was the moment, we thought, but alas not, and it deflected behind for a corner kick.

There were multiple times where shots were deflected behind or away. Another Shephard shot, which ended the same way. Shephard was brilliant in the midfield today with his forward drives and trying to get something started.

The Bluebirds had so much of the ball in this half, but just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. Exactly like the Cup game last year. All you needed was a jammy counter attack for Ethan Cann to score, then it would have been identical.

The half was all one-way traffic; Haverfordwest had to score, however, Lady Luck had other ideas. When you don’t get luck, you really don’t get luck.

Despite all of the chances and possession, the game ends 1-0 to the hosts. Another game lost, however, another game where we just weren’t terrible. The only games you could say we were just not good enough was Colwyn Bay and TNS away. Other games, we were just unfortunate not to get anything out of.

Cue the transfer talk, again. The defence wasn’t the issue tonight, the goal was scruffy, and you’ve seen us concede goals like that with every defence we have had over the years. This game, we were just not clinical, unfortunately. 

It’s been said in other post-match reports that effort is never the issue, and it was the same here. Our lads just never give up, and that’s a great positive to take away from this match. Unlike teams who lose because the players don’t seem bothered or don’t keep going, this group of players give one hundred percent until the final whistle.

So heads up, Bluebirds fans, stick with the team, the players never give up, and they don’t expect you to either.

One love. One County 💙

Tony Pennock’s Blue and White Army.

Full-time, Llanelli Town AFC 1-0 Haverfordwest County. Attendance, 508