Met, Ferry and Caernarfon...

After a disappointing result versus Penybont in the opening game we were feeling more positive than negative. Yes, losing was disappointing, however, we played some good football and had many chances to score. A tale of two halves really.

A burst water pipe in Flintshire led our away game to Flint to be postponed. Credit to the FAW for calling the game off the day before as we have to travel 4 hours away the early communication from them was gratefully received. 

Cardiff Met under the Friday night lights was no different to the frustrations we had against the Bont. In the first half we were dominant. Played some silky stuff and were up by 2 goals at the break. After coming back to the terraces after a joyous pint at the bar (I had only missed the first couple minutes), I walk out as they score their second. Completely fell apart. That second half was all Met. When we had been so dominant in the first half, the second was surprising.

The ending of the game, and the ref's handling of affairs spoiled the game. Sending Dylan off was baffling enough, and infuriated us. But sending off Tony because he was muttering something under his breath as least 20 yards away from the ref, only for the linesman who did his best Randall from Recess impersonation by telling Miss Finster (the Ref) that Tony had called him an expletive causing Tony to get sent off after the whistle. This was angering…

Our emotions, admittedly got the better of us but we had let our feelings known to the ref. I think the ref had absolutely lost the plot. Funny though, we overheard a Met fan telling the ref “you couldn’t even ref the development team game well last week!”

From the first two games to be going away with 1 point was disappointing, but given how both 2nd halves went, we could have easily gone on to lose both so 1 point is better than none!

Some of our faithful who were jammy enough to get Bank Holiday Monday off!! Pic belongs to FAW, if anyone knows the photographer, please let us know so we can give full photo credit

The guys who were lucky enough to time off work on August Bank Holiday Monday had a great time away at Briton Ferry. And the way the game panned out was the opposite of how the Bont and Met game turned out. 

Ferry had all the chances and possession. They really should have been at least two goals up. But I will never slate our team for effort and desire. Our Bluebirds were determined to bring the 3 points home to Pembrokeshire, and that was what Alaric Jones’ wonderfully headed shot in the dying embers of the game allowed us to do. Not only did we come away with 3 points, from a team who had started the season strongly which included beating last years treble winners 3-0, we came away with a wonderful picture of Ben Fawcett’s incredulous expression at the winning goal.

Scenes as Alaric's header wins us the game in the final seconds. Pic belongs to the FAW, If anyone knows the exact photographer, please let us know so we can give full credit.

The first 3 (not counting the postponed game) games and getting 4 points might have been disappointing before the season had started, however, given how the games had panned out it was 4 points well earned so far. 

The next game was one we had been looking forward to a lot. The return of Caernarfon. The last time they came here, a group of their many fans brought arrogance, aggression and bad behaviour by starting arguments, disrespecting our clubhouse furniture and ripping some of our flags. However, they returned back north with their tails between their legs after being dominated by a wonderful Bluebirds performance which led us to playing in the UEFA Conference League.(side note, it was one group of fans and not all of their fans for full honest disclosure).

The rain was skitting on a gloomy early evening kick off at the Bridge Meadow. The chants didn’t stop from before the game started right up to and including when Dylan Ebeneezer was interviewing both Ben Ahmun and Sion Bradley post game.

The game followed the same pattern as Bont and Met. A first half where the Bluebirds played well and should have been more than 1 nil up. Including the penalty Ahmun scored, which, to be fair, was a dubious decision… 

The second half Caernarfon were dominant. But because they only brought a handful of fans, not many of them were able to see this.

Full credit to Luc Rees in this game. If it was not for him then we would have definitely lost. The start of the season hadn’t showcased the best of his ability but during this game he was the standout player of the both teams.

With the 1-1 versus Caernarfon, 1-0 win away at Briton Ferry, 2-2 versus Met and the opening game 1-0 loss versus Penybont, it’s safe to say we thought we would have looked to have gotten more points. Alas, given how all of these games went, having 5 points from our first 4 games is decent to be fair.

The reason I have grouped these games is 1, because I haven’t been able to do them individually due to work and other factors, but 2, these results are beginning to show who we are as a team:

We may not be the best team in the league, although we have never claimed to be, but we have the ability to play really, really well and we never stop trying. We keep determined until the final whistle goes. And as a football fan, that’s all you ask for from your team.

So keep your heads held high, blues, it won’t be pretty at times, and following Haverfordwest is always a rollercoaster ride, but embrace it all. Sing our heroes names, and rally the troops on to do the best that we can.

Players, coaches, staff, fans. We’re all one community. In the Bluebirds we trust!!

#UTFB !!