Haverfordwest County AFC manager Tony Pennock paid tribute to the hard work and commitment of his players as the Bluebirds defeated Flint Town United 4-1 at LHP Stadium on Saturday to equal their record points tally for a Phase One campaign in the JD Cymru Premier.

A brace from substitute Ben Fawcett after earlier goals from Ben Ahmun and Greg Walter ensured a commanding victory for the Town, who are now unbeaten in their last nine outings in all competitions.

The result means we have now drawn level with our record points tally of 29 in Phase One of a 12-team JD Cymru Premier season – which we recorded in 2020-21 – highlighting the strong performances of the Town this term to date.

Here’s what the manager had to say in full after the game:

On the game

It ended on a high note really. I thought we started the game brightly to go two goals up. It was pleasing, but then in fairness to Flint, I thought that the last 25 minutes they were dominant and we struggled to deal with them.

Half time came at the right time for us. We were still in front and then I thought second half we were a lot better. We dealt with them and the way they played a lot better, but I have to give Lee Fowler and Flint credit, the way they play is really good to watch.

You look at where Flint are in the table and the way they play, they’re a young side, you can see that at times, and maybe their youth goes against them, but if they keep that group together then I can see Flint being a really strong team in years to come.

On making our strong start tell

To get the second goal is something we haven’t done. We haven’t done that for a while. It gives you a bit more breathing space, which we did today. It got us into half time still ahead, and then second half Fawcey came on in place of Ows [Owain Jones] after he picked up a knock, and I thought Fawcey was fantastic.

It’s something we talk about all the time. It’s not about 11 players, it’s about the squad of players we’ve got. Abu [Rhys Abbruzzese] was out today after an injury he picked up last week. Young Jacob [Owen] had a rest today because in fairness to Jacob, he’s played every minute, every game, and he’s been outstanding this season. So Jacob had a rest today, and it just shows what the squad is for. It’s tough picking a team at the moment, and the boys know that. For me it’s a problem, but I’d rather have that than the problems I’ve had the last two seasons, and long may that continue.

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On the second half display

We’ve reduced the time they had on the ball second half, we got a lot tighter, we won a lot more duels, and the ball landed with us then, and then when we landed with the ball we can get up the pitch quickly and the two goals showed that. Once we show our quality and take care of the ball, we’re a good footballing side, and our press and our aggression without the ball today, second half, was exactly how we want to play. It was good to score two goals second half and have nothing against us. So I’m pleased, four goals and three points, it’s another three points to the total.

On the three strikers

It’s not easy having a penalty that early in a match, but Ben was composed. He scored a penalty early in the season away at Connah’s Quay for us, and he took his chance when it came. Ows has done fantastic with a flick for the second goal to get an assist on that as well, and then Fawcey’s [Ben Fawcett] two finishes second half are good strikes. We had a few other opportunities, but overall it’s a pleasing day and, like I said, another three points. 29 points is the joint-most this club’s ever had in Phase One of the league. So to do that with seven games left, it’s pretty pleasing, and it’s testament to the lads and the hard work they’ve put in since they came back in July.

On the next challenge

We lost 1-0 here against TNS, that was our first defeat of the season. They deserved to win the game that day, but we were always in the game at 1-0. That’s something you have to do against TNS. If you concede, you don’t concede two and three too quickly, which we have done in previous seasons. So we’ll go there next week and I’ll have a full squad to pick from hopefully, and fingers crossed we can give a good account of ourselves, because we want to play against the best teams in the league as often as possible, and it only improves us all. Me as a coach, Waggy [Gary Richards] as a coach, and the lads and the staff as well. It’s a game we look forward to, and we want to be tested as much as possible.