It Doesn't Rain, It Pours

The build-up to this game was super. We had labelled it the Battle for Second, and with Sgorio advertising it due to it being shown live, it would be a game not to be missed. Both Haverfordwest and Penybont have been praised this season for their strong seasons, and they have both seen a similar rise in the last few years.

I had looked at the weather forecast earlier in the day, and it said rain at about 9 pm. Wonderful, I thought. Just as the second half would be starting.

Us fans with flags have now entered a silent battle to get to the Ogi Bridge Meadow as early as we can to get prime fence spaces. We have now collectively decided that behind the ‘Withybush End' goal would be a good position to place our flags, as it closes that part of the ground off. And to be fair, since flags have been slowly dotted about down there, we have been scoring more in that end. 

There's a method to our madness. 

More and more of us congregate in Spoons before going for a pint or three in the clubhouse. There’s a lot to say about Tim Martin, but cheap beer is beer! This meet-up epitomises the brilliance of the Cleddau Casuals. The group ranges from people 13 years old to nearly 60 years old. 

Everyone is welcome. We are all one big family.

We head to our usual spot and wait for the action to start. Hi Ho Silver Lining plays as the players walk out, and we join in with Hi Ho Haverfordwest…Everywhere We Go. 

We start well. It’s clear to see that both teams have different game plans. We went into the game needing a win to keep the pressure on Penybont. We enjoy the passing game, whereas Penybont sat back, which is no surprise as that’s what they do. 

Greg is everywhere, and that energy is so important to our team. I am running out of superlatives to describe how the Pembrokeshire-born midfield engine has been important to our successful season.

In the 23rd minute, we are attacking toward the Withybush End after several attempts in playing the ball into the box and being cleared, Rhys Abbruzzese whips the ball in, which flies to Ben Ahmun. Our top goal scorer takes flight like a champagne bottle cork, travelling with unstoppable energy, rising higher than any defender, his head connects to the ball and thunders into the back of the net. Our flags provide a great backdrop to the scene, and like the spray of champagne, we celebrate. It’s a great moment, and it should have been the moment to build upon.

Less than five minutes later, Penybont have a corner which Kane Owen delivers into the box. As the ball travels in James Crole pushes Kyle McCarthy down, which we all believe is a foul. The ball is headed away but finds an unmarked Owen Pritchard outside the area, who hits it sweetly first time and flies into the net. What the officials don’t seem to have clocked is that McCarthy is again pushed away from the flight of the ball by Crole, and he stays in the eye line of Jones, who is blindsided by the shot. 

Whilst a wonderful goal, which is struck superbly, a VAR would rule this out for at least one foul.

Then the rain starts. If this wasn’t a metaphor for how the night turns, then I don’t know what is! Pathetic Fallacy is what we were drilled into during doing our GCSE’s and it came true here. Lots of people headed into the stand or straight to the bar, but at this point, it wasn’t as bad as it ended up, so a lot of us remained in our regular spot.

We remained on top in the first half with Greg and Abu finding good, quick attacking passes that just cannot be finished off.

Still, 1-1 isn’t bad to go in, but we just think we should be winning. And we go on to rue these missed chances.

A midfield battle involving our soon-to-be Player of the Season, we assume. Picture owned by Lewis Mitchell

Now the proper rain came down. We always say that the game in 2022 versus Cefn Druids was the worst we’ve seen rain here, but this was worse. Even more people left to find shelter, and only a few of us were left standing on the side watching the play unfold. I thought I couldn’t get much wetter so what was the point?!

It always sounds like an excuse, but the rain really did affect how the second half was played. It didn’t showcase how well we actually can perform. Similarly to the phase 1 home game (at the LHP Carmarthen), we somehow can’t get any rhythm going.

Even more frustrating were some dodgy referee calls who seemed to award 50/50’s to the player who screams the loudest, usually the away side, or the linesman totally not in line with the play misses fouls that should have gone our way. This was the same referee who wrongly disallowed the Ben Ahmun goal versus Penybont at the SDM in the phase 1 away tie, so we expect nothing less.

With all of this going against us, and with the lashing down of the rain, of course we fall behind 2-1 to a James Crole goal. The way the ball travelled and with how slippery it was, Zac just couldn't get to it to save it. In drier conditions, you would bet this would be an easy save.

Penybont go on to what they do best and sit deep and wait for the final whistle. This, plus the fact that we really struggled to do anything creative. At times, I must say it was quite boring, with this lack of creativity and Penybont’s bus parking, there wasn’t much more to write home about, quite literally.

Dan John, who is tearing up the Developments League with 32 goals at this point, comes on. Whilst only for 12 minutes, I thought he was super. The energy and tenacity he brought was brilliant to watch. I know the FAW Youth Cup Final is coming soon, however, if it was up to me, he would be playing a lot more games for the senior side.

The game ends with the visitors taking all 3 points. We rue the first half’s chances and even Penybont’s manager, former Haverfordwest player and League of Wales goal machine, Rhys Griffiths saying in his post-match interview that his side were lucky as we could have gone 3 or 4 up.

Still, if you can’t score enough, you just won’t win.

Credit to Penybont's season, though. The table doesn't lie, and they are the second-best team in the league this year. Some of their Phase 1 performances have proved to be solid foundations, despite having a tricky time in Phase 2.

Whilst this sounds dire, we must remember we are still having a record-breaking season with a great defensive record. I just think we struggle creatively at times, and that can be very frustrating.

Our next home game is this Saturday at home to Caernarfon, which has now turned into a big game as they are now only five points behind us.

Full Time Haverfordwest 1-2 Penybont. Attendance: 697