Up and down season so far
Caernarvon Town play at The Oval in Caernarvon and are nicknamed ‘The Canaries’ because of their yellow and green strip. Prior to this match they  were placed sixth in the JD Cymru Welsh Premier League with a record that read:  Played 8 Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 4 - Points 10.

They had beaten Newtown (3-2), Flint Town (2-1) and UWIC (3-0) whilst drawing their opening match against Penybont (1-1) – and endured losses to Cefn Druids (2-1) Connah’s Quay Nomads (3-1), New Saints (4-0) and Barry Town (3-1).








 
A few facts and figures
They are managed by Huw Griffiths, who was voted ‘Welsh Premier League Manager of the Year’ after guiding Cefn Druids in to the Europa League that season.
He played his football at Cefn Druids, Newtown and Bangor City and his choice as captain has been Gareth Edwards.









 





Ref Robert does a solid job
The referee was FIFA official Robert Jenkins, who hails from Guilsford, near Welshpool, and overall he had a good game with his quiet control, linking well with assistants Bryn Jones and Cilan Thomas, with Ben Williams as fourth official. Bluebirds’ players and officials might point out, however, that he turned down what they thought were two stonewall hand balls by the visitors in their own penalty area – but at 73 years of age I was too far away to pass comment!
 







John is a welcome visitor – and what a posh name!
Making a welcome visit as an elite assessor of the officials was John Davies, who for 34 years has been Hon Treasurer of the West Wales Football Association and is rightly held in high regard across his area. I have always held John in high regard as a great ambassador for football but he has gone up another notch with me because on the team sheet was his full name – JOHN GERAINT PARCELL DAVIES – now how posh is that! It was lovely to chat a gentleman of sport like John before the game and at half time!
 














Recent arrivals at The Oval . . .
The Canaries have made two new signings in the past two weeks, both joining them from Prestatyn Town. They are Jack Kenny and Mike Parker – and the club was also delighted in Paulo Mendes, who originally hails from Portugal, who joined them earlier in the season from Aberystwyth Town.
 















. . . And at The Bridge Meadow Stadium too!
Making a welcome return to The Bluebirds in midfield was Elliott Scotcher after a short spell with Carmarthen Town, and also warming up with them was who was on Cardiff City’s books. Others signed are Trystan Jones (Cardiff) and Mark Jones (Briton Ferry) as the club continues to build up its playing strength.
 


























Sion and Rhys catch the eye
Playing well for Caernarvon down their left flank in this tight tussle were Sion Bradley and Rhys Williams, with their no-nonsense, direct approach.

 

Long distance travel . . . but smashing support!
The Canaries faced one of their longest treks of the season as they came down the coast from North Wales to Haverfordwest, a round-trip total of 281 miles. Known as ‘The Cofi Army’ they still had three of their 50 regular away supporters in North Wales – and several youngsters who made sure they could be seen and heard outside the railings!
 

 

Bluebirds’ parents and friends throng the bank
Haverfordwest County also had support on the bank beyond the pitch as the parents of Ben Fawcett, Jack Wilson, Ricky Watts and Elliot Scotcher were joined by other regulars unable to gain entry because of the pandemic. Well done you lot – and we hope you enjoyed your view down the pitch!





 



Deserved tribute for lovely Lenny
There was a minute’s silence before the match as a tribute to the late Lenny Lewis, who for a number of years served the Bluebirds so well as assistant groundsman, handyman and any other work that needed doing. But above all else Lenny, a Londoner before he came to the county, was a lovely man who was held in such high regard, with a wonderful sense of humour and a cheery word for all. We shall miss him at The Bridge Meadow Stadium.
RIP Lenny!



 






Ben does a good job at the gate
We have previously paid tribute to The Bluebirds hon medical officer Richard Thompson as he checks everyone in at home matches and now that there are separate entrances for players and officials, and everyone else allowed in, he is assisted by Ben Evans, one of the academy coaches at The Bridge Meadow Stadium. Ben makes sure that everyone’s temperature in the latter zone is checked and their forms correctly filled out – and he is doing a great job. So thanks to the former Solva player who is now assisting Steve Batty with the under 15s – and keep up the good work!
 











Final-minute relief for Bluebirds’ manager and coaches
There was a palpable air of relief on the faces of manager Wayne Jones and his support staff of Mark Murison, James Devonald and Micky Ellis after the final whistle as Dan Williams last-ditch goal earned their side a point. Just take a look at their faces here – a real mix of happiness and relief, if you ask me!