By James Dow
Haverfordwest County AFC manager Tony Pennock is proud of the togetherness his side have shown throughout the season, and believes the squad are fully equipped going into Sunday’s European play-off final with Caernarfon Town.
The Bluebirds finished in third place at the end of the regular season, ensuring a home play-off final with a chance to compete in Europe for the second time in three years.
His side also reached a club-record points tally of 51, while also having the best defensive record of any side in the Cymru Premier this season, conceding just 26 league goals.
Pennock insists the players are ready for the challenge, while also explaining that there were early signs in pre-season that the team would go on to have a successful campaign.
“It’s been a long wait,” he began. “Obviously when we found out that we were straight through to the final, we knew it was going to be at least three weeks before we had a game. It turned out to be four, but the boys are in a good place.
“When the lads came back in June, we just felt that togetherness with them straight away really, and from the first session up at the Racecourse, then the beach the following week, you just saw a group that really wanted to work hard for each other and do something this year that meant something to them and to the club and everyone connected.
“So we’ve had a great season, but we know what’s at the end of it. Finishing third is a fantastic achievement and we’re very proud of that, proud of having the lowest goals conceded in the league, but we know we’ve got a tough task ahead of us on Sunday, but the rewards are massive for the club.”
“We lost a couple on the bounce at one stage in the season where we played The New Saints and Penybont back-to-back, so that was difficult, but in terms of the boys’ performances, they were really good. Even in Phase Two where we didn’t win a lot of games, our performances were really good, and we were unfortunate that we didn’t come away with a few more wins that I think we deserved, but it’s nice that it’s done and we can focus on Sunday.
“Whatever happened in the previous 32 games doesn’t matter anymore, it’s all about Sunday and preparing the boys well, and hopefully we put in the best possible performance we can and then no matter what the result, they should be proud of the season they’ve had.”
The Bluebirds won away from home twice against Cardiff Metropolitan and Newtown to qualify for Europe two seasons ago, and Pennock said the players cannot take home advantage for granted, against a significantly improved Cofi’s side since January.
“At the start of the season we obviously wanted to finish top six, but even if we finished seventh like Barry; Barry had a great Phase Two and it shows how well Caernarfon have been playing that they beat them 5-2.
“The last time [we were in the play-offs], nobody expected us to go to Cardiff Met and win and then go to Newtown and win, which we did, so we know how difficult that was, but Sunday is the same.
“Caernarfon come here in really good form. They’re a good side, they strengthened really well in January and they’ve shown that in Phase Two. We’ve had a lot of tough games against Caernarfon since I’ve been at the club, and Sunday is going to be no different.
“We’re two very even teams, Rich [Davies, manager] and his staff have done a fantastic job there to qualify for Europe through the play-offs last year and then getting through a round against Crusaders I think it was, they’ve had a great season.
“It’s been a long season for them because of how early they started in Europe, but to their credit they’ve done fantastically well and got stronger as the season has gone on, so we know it’s going to be a tough game on Sunday but the boys are ready for it.
“No excuses from us, the boys are looking forward to it and will be up for the challenge.”
The Bluebirds concluded their regular season on April 19, but the long break has given the manager a full squad to choose from and he admits he will have a selection headache on matchday, with the four-week break giving injured players a chance to recover in time for the final.
“The boys have had a fair bit of time off after our last game, but for the last three weeks they’ve been bang at it in fairness and the break has given us an opportunity to get a few of the injured boys back fit, so I’ve got a decision to make on Sunday morning on who I leave out of the squad because everyone is available.”
Hundreds have tickets have already been sold ahead of the final on Sunday, and Pennock hopes to make the Bluebirds fans proud in what is likely to be a sell-out crowd at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.
“I’m glad it’s a late kick-off because it will have cooled down a bit by then, but if we can get almost a sell-out here that would be fantastic.
“It shows how popular football is in Pembrokeshire and that the boys have given people something to enjoy watching this season and long may that continue.
“Tickets are going really well, Caernarfon will bring some good support as well because they are a well-supported team, we saw that in their semi-final at home when they had over 1500 there that day.
“It’s going to be a big occasion for both teams, and good luck to whoever comes out on top.”
