By James Dow at Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali
Haverfordwest County were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Maltese side Floriana in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie.
In scorching temperatures which reached the mid 30s, the Bluebirds took a deserved early lead when Ben Ahmun headed home from close range for his first European goal.
The Greens hit back three minutes before the interval when Gonzalo Gamarra glanced a header into the net from inside the area.
In what was an even contest at Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali, the hosts took the lead with the hour mark approaching after being awarded a controversial penalty which Jake Grech converted to ensure a first-leg advantage for his side.
Team news
Luc Rees was handed his competitive debut for the club as he was named to start in goal, while Elliot Scotcher returned to a Bluebirds matchday squad for the first time since December 2022 after overcoming a lengthy knee injury.
Haverfordwest County: L. Rees, Watts, D. Rees, McCarthy, A. Jones (Scotcher 70′), Abbruzzese, Shephard, Walters, Hawkins, Fawcett, Ahmun (O. Jones 77′)
Substitutes not used: Knott, Mathias, Owen, Watkins, Hughes, Humphreys, James
First half
The Bluebirds started the game strongly and nearly went ahead in the opening exchanges when a crossfield ball from Rhys Abruzzese was nodded down by Dylan Rees and into the path Ahmun, but the forward’s effort drifted inches wide of the left post. Ahmun looked to have been fouled as he prepared to shoot, but the game continued.
The Greens’ first chance came through Grech, whose free-kick from distance was fired over the crossbar.
Ahmun continued to threaten for the Bluebirds and carved out an opportunity in the 21st minute as he received the ball just outside the area and unleashed a curling effort which cleared the bar.
BEN AHMUN YN PENIO’R HWLFFORDD AR Y BLAEN 🔵@HaverfordwestFC’s European campaign is off to a flying start – Ben Ahmun with a free header from close range to give the Bluebirds the lead
Yn FYW nawr – https://t.co/7mk4L4DKGG pic.twitter.com/7s7xb4tw4d
— Sgorio (@sgorio) July 8, 2025
The Town were rewarded for their positive start to the match with the half-hour mark approaching when Greg Walter’s chipped ball over the top was controlled well by Dan Hawkins, and the forward’s cross from near to the byline found the striker unmarked and he made no mistake by directing his header into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Floriana looked to respond immediately, and some quick play by the Greens saw Dunstan Vella find space in the box, but his effort rose well over the bar.
The hosts responded three minutes before half-time when a cross into the area from the left side was glanced into the bottom right-hand corner by Gamarra to ensure a level game as the teams headed into the break.
Second half
The Bluebirds came flying out of the blocks once again, with midfielder Walters winning the ball high up the pitch before driving into the box, but unfortunately his effort did not have the power required to test Guilherme Cioletti.
Floriana were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when Alaric Jones was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Lopez following a corner, with Romanian referee Szabolcs Kovacs pointing to the spot. Grech stepped up and slotted the ball past Rees to give the passionate but modest crowd a second goal to celebrate.
There were limited chances in the latter stages of the game, with both sides feeling the effects of the hot temperatures throughout. Ricky Watts did create a chance to equalise however when he delivered a fantastic ball across the face of goal, but forward Ben Fawcett was unable to get the required touch to direct the shot on target.
Floriana nearly added a third goal eight minutes before full-time, but Grech was denied by a heroic block from Kyle McCarthy who produced a goal line clearance to keep the deficit at one goal going into the return match in Llanelli next week.
