Haverfordwest County AFC are delighted to confirm that goalkeeper Zac Jones has agreed a new one-year deal with the club, which takes him through to the end of the 2023-24 season!
Hailing from Wellington, Jones arrived at the Ogi Bridge Meadow in January 2022 and has since made 25 appearances for the Bluebirds, keeping eight clean sheets along the way.
The New Zealander’s performances in 2022-23, and in particular during the European play-offs – where he played a major role in the club qualifying for continental football for the first time since 2004 – have seen him become a hugely popular figure amongst the club’s supporters.
The 22-year-old’s penalty save from Eliot Evans in normal time in the semi-final, which was followed by two more in a dramatic 4-3 shoot-out victory over Cardiff Metropolitan, were the defining moments of a remarkable goalkeeping display in the capital.
On the crest of a wave, he was able to carry this momentum into the final against Newtown at Latham Park, where he made a couple of important stops inside the 90 minutes, before saving the opening spot-kick from Aaron Williams and winning the psychological battle with Henry Cowans, who dragged his effort wide of Jones’ right post.
Having admitted that he needed time to adapt to the physicality of the JD Cymru Premier, Jones visibly grew in confidence as the season progressed to become a commanding presence in between the sticks – and he can now look forward to competing on the European stage for the first time, and continuing to help Haverfordwest County in their push for a top six finish next term.
Speaking after putting pen to paper, Jones said: “I’m delighted to stay on for another year with the club. After last week it was made a very easy decision for me.
“[On the European challenge ahead] It’s really exciting, I’m still on a bit of a high now and I don’t think that will wear off any time soon. I’m looking forward to next season where we will certainly be pushing towards the top end of the table. I think we’ve done enough to prove that to everyone over the last five months or so.
“The fans have been brilliant all of last season, and I can’t wait to get back out there in front of them soon.”
