PHOTOS:
Owen Coombs is part of the successful Haverfordwest County Youth squad
Owen proudly wears the Wales Schools' Under 18 kit

 
Ask Owen Coombs about the most memorable moment in his footballing career so far and he would undoubtedly say that it came recently at The New Saints’ ground in Oswestry when he represented the Welsh Schools’ Under 18 team against their counterparts from the English Independent Schools.

“It was a very proud moment when we walked out onto the pitch and we all had a lump in our throats when they played the Welsh National Anthem,” admitted Owen.
“It was great that I had my team mates Laurie Haworth and Spencer Williams in the team as well,” he said, “and my parents Lisa and Roger, plus sister Eryn, were there to complete my day because they have been brilliant supporters.
 
“We wore yellow shirts and I played at left back for all the first half, went off for 20 minutes and then came on in my normal position in the middle of defence for the last 25 minutes.
“We lost 4-3 but the coaches seemed pleased with the way we played and now I have to wait to see if I keep my place in the squad for the home internationals that are played in front of the Sky Sports cameras.”
 

Early start as a nipper and in youth football

 
Owen is currently studying Biology, Geography and PE in the lower sixth year at Greenhill School in Tenby but he plays the bulk of his football for Haverfordwest County Youth in the McWhirter Youth League. He played last year as a 16 year old and still has another two years to hone his skills under the watchful eyes of coaches Steve Batty and Colin Fawcett.
 
He started out in football as a seven year old with Tenby and played there right through until the under 15s, firstly with John Dyson and then Kevin Ferney. He played alongside other talented youngsters like Spencer Williams, Scott Ferney, Declan Escott and Dylan Rees, who is now with Cardiff City, and they were regarded as the best team in the county for their age group, winning the county finals every year except one occasion where they lost to closest rivals Clarbeston Road.
 

Disappointment in close final finishes

 
“We also reached the final of the West Wales Cup,” said Owen, “and we took on Cimla at Richmond Park, Carmarthen. It was 1-1 at full time and there were no goals in extra time so it went to penalties. We lost in the penalty shoot-out and it was another disappointing finish, but strangely it didn’t feel quite as bad as losing to Clarbie!”
 
Close cup finishes seemed to follow Owen and his pals at this time because when he was playing for the County’s Under 11 team organised by Angie Nicholls in the Tom Yeoman Shield they played superbly to reach the last four, which was played in the Rhondda Valley. They were drawn against Wrexham and again it was all square at full time but there was no extra time or penalties because in this competition it was decided on who had won more corners – and the North Walians had been awarded one more corner than Owen’s team!
 
Owen also played for Haverfordwest’s academy team from under 12-16 under the auspices of Angie Nicholls, Phil Jones, Lukas Gambol and Bernie Steer, and for three of those seasons he was chosen as captain, as proof of his growing maturity. One of their best performances was also in defeat as they went down 3-2 against Merthyr and so just missed out on the chance to play the North Wales’ champions for their age group in Newtown.
 

High praise from coach Steve

 
That took Owen along naturally to playing for the Bluebirds’ youth team under Steve Batty and Colin Fawcett, despite being only 16 in a team where a number of the opposition were two or perhaps three years older.
“We recognised his maturity for a youngster from the start,” Steve told us, “and he has never let us down.
“Owen is an excellent trainer and gives nothing less than 100% on the field and we were delighted when he was chosen to play for Wales as his reward for such commitment.”
 

Selection thrill and a tough tussle!

 
Welsh selection came about after Owen was one of six players recommended from Haverfordwest County who attended a trial at Dragon Park in Newport and then joined team-mates Laurie Haworth and Spencer Williams in the final trial, involving players from North and South Wales at the home of New Saints in Oswestry.
“I was thrilled when I was told I was in the final squad,” admitted Owen “and although I missed out against Australia it was brilliant to make the team against the English Independent Schools – something I will never forget.”
 
Another highlight for Owen this season came when he was part of the Haverfordwest County Youth team which pushed the semi-professional counterparts from Cardiff City all the way in the Welsh Cup. The scores were level at full time before Cardiff City’s greater fitness told in extra time and the local lads lost 6-2 – a result that certainly didn’t do justice to the effort and skills shown by Owen and company!
“But at least we were able to test ourselves against a very strong and experienced side and we enjoyed it to the full, until those late goals against us,” says Owen with a rueful laugh!
 

And finally . . .

 
Owen used to play basketball and likes some recreational surfing but is now kept very busy and so has to put them both on the back burner.
Ask him about ambitions and he says that he has two more years of McWhirter League football and then would like to force his way into the Bluebirds’ first team at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.
“Like every footballer of my age, I would like to play at a professional club but I’ll just keep working hard on my game and see how it goes,” Owen told us.
 
Having seen what a very good player he is, we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wish him every success for his future in the game because he is a great credit to himself, his family and his club!