By James Dow

Haverfordwest County AFC secured European qualification for the second time in three years after defeating Caernarfon Town 3-1 in the JD Cymru Premier European play-off final at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Sunday.

A brace from Ben Ahmun either side of Dan Hawkins’ goal sent the Bluebirds on their way, as Tony Pennock’s men added a clinical touch to what was a complete display.

The Town bossed proceedings throughout, as they subdued a Canaries side who had come into the game in fine form after victories over Barry Town United and Cardiff Metropolitan in the quarter-final and semi-final.

Louis Lloyd did manage to pull one back for the visitors in added time, although it was merely a consolation goal for the away side.

The result means that Tony Pennock will lead his side into next season’s UEFA Conference League qualifying, as he became the first Bluebirds manager to secure European football on two occasions.

Team news

Pennock made two changes to the Bluebirds starting XI from the final match of the regular season, with Zac Jones returning to start in goal, while Corey Shephard was picked in midfield having missed our regular season finale to be present for the birth of his son. Ben Fawcett also returned to the squad having missed almost three months of action due to an ankle injury.

Haverfordwest County AFC: Z. Jones, J. Owen (Humphreys 88′), Rees (C), Jenkins, McCarthy, Abbruzzese, Shephard, Walters (H. John 88′), Hawkins (Kenniford 73′), O. Jones (Fawcett 54′), Ahmun (Watts 88′)

Substitutes not used: Knott, D. John

First half

The Bluebirds started the opening exchanges well, pushing to take an early lead with the first effort falling to Rhys Abbruzzese who beat Morgan Owen before releasing a right-footed curling effort towards the far corner which was well defended by Blaine Hudson who glanced the ball behind for a corner.

County took the lead five minutes later when a fantastic run from Shephard saw the midfielder enter the box and play a precise pass through to Ahmun – who had done well to stay onside – before rolling the ball under Ben Hughes to open the scoring and send the capacity crowd of 1,717 wild.

Shephard continued to run the midfield, making another marauding run before playing it to Jacob Owen who drove into the box and squared the ball to Dan Hawkins, but Hughes got down well to deny the forward at his near post.

The Bluebirds continued to push for a second goal, with Hawkins pulling the strings in the 10 and playing a fantastic over-the-top ball to Owain Jones, who controlled it well before directing his half-volley over the crossbar.

Pennock’s men were well on top at this stage, and they made their pressure tell shortly after the half hour mark when Abbruzzese’s through ball was delightfully flicked into the path of Hawkins by Owain Jones, and the forward sent his powerful left-footed effort past Hughes at the near post to put County into a strong position.

The Canaries’ first chance fell to Josh Lock shortly before the interval after the forward stole the ball from Lee Jenkins in the box before releasing an effort that was blocked on its path to goal by Kyle McCarthy, who was perfectly positioned to head the ball away to safety and ensure our advantage remained at two as Bryn Markham-Jones blew his whistle for half time.

Second half

The away side threatened early in the second half with two quickfire chances for half-time substitute Danny Gosset and striker Adam Davies, but the former’s effort was blocked on its path to goal before Zac Jones got a slight touch on the latter’s close-range effort to ensure it hit the right post rather than sneaking into the net.

Having replaced Owain Jones nine minutes into the second half, Fawcett nearly made an instant impact from the bench when he broke down the right flank before delivering a tremendous ball into the area which found Ahmun, who connected with the cross but was just unable to direct the effort on target.

The Bluebirds came agonisingly close to a third goal just after the hour mark when McCarthy put Fawcett into space before Shephard joined the forward up the pitch and was sent through by his teammate, but his close-range effort was well met by Hughes who produced a big save to keep the deficit to two.

A half chance fell to Gosset minutes later when the midfielder received the ball on the edge of the box but sent his powerful effort flying well over the bar.

Having continued to control proceedings and keep the visitors at arms length, the Town put the contest to bed with five minutes of normal time remaining when a quick counter-attack saw Greg Walters play Ahmun through on goal, and the striker raced away from the Canaries defence before placing his cool finish past Hughes as the Ogi Bridge Meadow decended into pandemonium with the outcome now beyond any doubt.

Richard Davies’ side managed to find a consolation goal in the final minute of stoppage time when Lloyd snuck the ball into the net from the byline, but it did nothing to dampen the mood as the Bluebirds players, staff, volunteers and supporters could celebrate a second European qualification in three years on one of the all-time great days at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.

Highlights