We Bow Out…But With Our Heads Held High
- cleddaucasuals
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
This blog post won’t follow the usual play-by-play but explore how proud we should feel for representing our small county on the European Stage.
Before Tony Pennock took over, Europe was never even an achievable target; more so, it was survival or trying to get back to the top-flight. To achieve European qualification twice in 3 years is tremendous. No matter how we did in Europe, getting there was the achievement.
After a short train ride to Llanelli meant we arrived earlier than necessary. However, the walk to the Parc Y Scarlets felt like an age. Google Maps took us through Parc Trostre, which probably put another 20 minutes on the journey.
The only pub that was close by was the Marston’s, and with slow service, the 30% off mains just wasn’t worth it.
Pure West Radio provided the entertainment on the concourse while the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir captivated the crowd with songs like ‘Yma O Hyd’, ‘Bread of Heaven’ and ‘Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau’ as the players walked out. They were absolutely sensational and I would love to have them as regulars at the Meadow!
Safe to say we dominated most of the first half. Greg’s goal epitomised everything. We started with real hunger and determination to overturn the 2-1 defeat out in Malta. His wild celebration was mirrored by us in the stands of which usually sees rugby.
If anyone reading has read any of last season’s blog posts, you will know that I really rate Greg. His goal in this game was so deserved and is now probably in the top 3 players in the squad.
Less than 10 minutes later, Ben Ahmun struck the ball from an acute angle and nestled in the net. Well, by god, if we celebrated wildly for Greg’s goal then we were ecstatic celebrating this goal. The vision, audacity and execution was sublime. If this was a Premier League top 6 player then Sky Sports wouldn’t stop showing it!
Ahead on the night and the tie. We kept attacking, we kept chanting, and then a half attempt at goal which deflected past Luc Rees saw the visitors get one back. Absolute fluke. It winded us, to be fair. To be on top and concede a goal from nowhere. It stung.
From here, our inexperience showed, in my opinion. In all of our latest completed European games to date (Shkendija, B36 Torshavn, and Floriana in the first leg), we have never been winning the tie. But to be fair, this was still only 30 minutes in, and unless you have Jose Mourinho as your manager, then you’re not going to park the bus for 60 minutes while 2-0 up.
I won’t blast too much on the refereeing performance by Joao Goncalves, everyone knew he had a terrible game. But his decision to send off Alaric Jones, more or less, decided the tie. They score the penalty and make it 2-2 (3-4). Inconsistent decision-making really did make us furious.
We’re still optimistic at the half and still trying to create chances. The only problems here, though, were when Floriana were on the break, massive holes were forming, and they were really making use of the extra man.
Tony was sent off for his appeals against a quickly taken throw, and at this point, it’s back to the walls from us, chanting and supporting our Blues. Tony had a rousing rendition of ‘Tony Pennock’s Blue and White Army’ whilst he made his way to the back of the stand.
They go on to score a third, which was coming. This being a powerful shot beating Rees’ near post. Abu gets a red card, and our dreams go up in smoke.
I can’t praise the players highly enough, though. They played some fantastic football but just couldn’t get over the line. Impressive, really, as we have lost big names this summer. Luke Tabone to Southport, Jacob Owen to The New Saints, Zac Jones to AFC Fylde and Lee Jenkins to Newport County. To play that well was super.
In all of our European games 2023 and 2025, we have never looked out of place. We have been competitive, and Pennock has set us up stupendously in player choices and tactics. However, we just aren’t savvy enough to European theatrics and officiating. Whilst you need to stay true to who you are as a football club, European football is a completely different beast, and we have probably been too naive at times. Alaric conceding 2 penalties is a clear example of European officiating. No disrespect to him, though, as he has been playing well.
We played with heart and desire, and that’s all you want from your football team. Going down swinging is the way to go if you are going out.
As we look to the new season, it would be a lie to say that I am really optimistic. We haven’t replaced key players in our defence. Despite our midfield and attack looking strong, we were only 3rd last year because of our phenomenal defence. Us fans have no idea really what is happening with transfers, so I understand it’s a lot harder than on Football Manager but we do seem lacking coming off the bench, in particular.
Still, this is football and anything can happen. Besides, if you want consistent success and accolades and achievements, you don’t look to the Cymru Prem, you support your team through thick and thin regardless.
Strap in, folks, it’s going to be a rollercoaster of a season, because, let’s be honest, it always is supporting the mighty fecking Haverfordwest!
Haverfordwest 2-3 Floriana (3-5 aggregate), Parc y Scarlets attendance 1789
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