Haverfordwest County AFC manager Tony Pennock was pleased with how his team competed against a strong Penybont side as the Bluebirds continued their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season with a goalless draw at LHP Stadium in Carmarthen on Friday evening.
There were very few clear-cut opportunities for either side on an evening when the defences were on top, as the Bluebirds played their first official home game at their temporary residence.
After back-to-back away victories over Connah’s Quay Nomads and Caernarfon Town in north Wales, the point ensures County keep their momentum and positive feeling going ahead of our Bank Holiday Monday visit to the capital to face Cardiff Metropolitan.
Here’s what the manager had to say in full after the game:
On the result
A point against Penybont is always a point gained. We’ve had tough games against them the last couple of years since I’ve been at the club. They’re a very good side. But I thought the lads were excellent again tonight. From start to finish, I thought we matched them, matched each other. Both teams tried to win the game, and I’m really pleased with the performance of the boys and another clean sheet.
On the clean sheet
Chris Venables had a few headers from distance, not within the penalty spot area, so they were difficult for him. Obviously the set pieces are tough and we have to deal with them, with the quality of Kane Owen, and he’s got on one or two other players, but the keeper has made a really good save off Ows.
We’ve had one or two other half chances in the first half, and it was an even game. So on reflection I think a point is a fair result for both teams. It’s pleasing to keep another clean sheet. That’s two in three games. You keep clean sheets, you win more games than you lose, and the boys are in a good place at the moment. It’s important that we keep our feet on the ground, and just work hard in every game we have.
On the strength in depth
The boys are in a really good place. The pre-season went really well. They worked extremely hard and the fitness is showing. We’ve got strength in depth as well. It’s tough at the moment for the boys on the bench, but when the time comes they have to take their opportunities.
It’s hard to put people on when games are so tight, and all three of our games have been really tight, so it’s hard to throw people onto the pitch. But when subs have come on they’ve been fantastic, and they’ve changed games for us and earned a point tonight for us. So we look forward to Monday. Everybody seems fit for Monday, which is pleasing, so we look forward to going for another tough test, another top six team from last season. Our first six games are against five of last year’s top six. So we know how tough our start is, and maybe after six or seven games, we’ll have a look at the table and give ourselves an idea of where we are.
On our temporary home
We’ve got no excuses about playing here. We’ve trained on this pitch for a number of years, since I’ve been here and before. Obviously we know it’s tough for our supporters, so we’re really, really grateful for the numbers who’ve come tonight. Penybont always travel in good numbers, they’re a well supported team, and that always swells the crowd. But we’re really grateful to our supporters for making the trip down to LHP Stadium tonight, and we look forward to them carrying on doing that. But we know that we have to give them something to watch, positive performances, and we’ll be working hard to keep them coming.
