JD Cymru Premier – 2022/23 European Play Off Final

 
 

Newtown 1 – Haverfordwest County 1
(Haverfordwest County win 4-3 on penalties)

 
Haverfordwest County defeated Newtown 4-3 after a dramatic penalty shootout against Newtown at Latham Park, which was televised live on Sgorio on Saturday evening.
 
For the second week in a row, the Bluebirds have done things the hard way; they beat Cardiff Met last week on penalties, this week after 120 minutes of football the score was level at 1-1, and it was déjà vu as Bluebirds won 4-3 again on penalties.
 
This is only the second time in Haverfordwest County’s club history that they have qualified for a European competition, the last time was 19 years ago when Deryn Brace was manager.
 
Haverfordwest County manager Tony Pennock was delighted his side showed a lot of character to win this important clash as he said shortly after the final whistle: “I’m really proud of the boys, they’ve done the club proud. We scored first, they equalised and I felt we went into our shell for the remainder of the game, but full credit to the lads; they won it on penalties for the second week in a row.”
 
Pennock sportingly added: “In the last 14 games since Christmas we have won 10 and drew 2, so we’ve deserved it on the basis of that form, thankfully luck was on our side, but you have to feel for a great club like Newtown.”
 
Tony Pennock’s men won the European Play Off Final in dramatic fashion as Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Zac Jones pulled off another fine save to deny Aaron Williams with the first spot take.
 
Dylan Rees and Jack Leahy both scored to put the Bluebirds in front, Callum Roberts made it 2-2, Jordan Davies kept his composure to put his side 3-2 ahead.
 
Henry Cowans put his 12 yard effort agonisingly wide for Newtown, Ben Fawcett had a chance to win it but Robins’ keeper Max Williams pulled of a good save, diving to his left to deny the substitute.
 
Nigel Aris levelled matters at 3-3, however man of match Corey Shephard had the final say as he drove his penalty past Williams to make sure the Bluebirds sealed a famous victory.
 
The Bluebirds had taken the lead in the 24^th minute, when Dylan Rees’s long searching ball in the box was half cleared by defender Craig Jones, but fell kindly for Jordan Davies to volley into the back of the net, for the striker’s 15^th goal of the season.
 
Fourteen minutes later the Robins equalised as Craig Williams set up Aaron Williams, who found the back of Zac Jones’ net.
 
It finished 1-1 after full and extra time period, so for the second week in a row the Bluebirds held their nerve to dramatically win on penalties.
 
Post match, Haverfordwest County skipper Dylan Rees received the European Play Off Final trophy as the wild celebrations got under way for the delighted players and fans.
 
 
Newtown: Dave Jones, Ryan Sears, Shane Sutton, Nick Rushton (71’ George Hughes), Louis Robles (116’ Devon Torry), Aaron Williams, Henry Cowans, Matty Jones (85’ Callum Roberts), Craig Williams (Captain), Zeli Ismail (91’ Nigel Aris), Jake Walker.
Substitutes not used: Max Williams, Kieran Mills-Evans, Taylor Macauley.
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees (Captain), Corey Shephard, Dylan Rees (Captain), Henry Jones (86’ Ioan Evans), Jordan Davies, Jamie Veale (78’ Jack Leahy), Lee Jenkins, Jack Wilson (105’ Ben Fawcett), Oscar Borg (54’ Ricky Watts), Daniel Hawkins.
Substitutes: Lee Idzi, Iori Humphreys, Harri John.
 
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones.
Assistants: Johnathon Bebee-Bryant & Ceri Williams.
Fourth Official: Cheryl Foster.
Referee Observer: Nigel Richards.