By James Dow

We look back at a memorable season opener at the Ogi Bridge Meadow ahead of our opening game of the new JD Cymru Premier campaign against Penybont this evening!

Prior to the match

The Bluebirds were hoping to start their 2022-23 season in positive fashion, in what was not only the first league game of the campaign but also manager Tony Pennock’s first league match in charge of the club. They would face a strong Caernarfon Town side who were looking to build on their fourth place finish the season prior – their highest league finish in the top-flight since the 1990’s.

Team news

Pennock gave three full league debuts in his first match in charge, with Lee Jenkins, Rhys Abruzzesse and Lewis Brass all starting for the Bluebirds. Striker Jordan Davies led the line for County, after signing on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell the season before.

Haverfordwest County: Lewis Brass, Jazz Richards, Rhys Abbruzzese, Dylan Rees (C), Ricky Watts, Ben Fawcett (Iori Humphreys 90+6’), Henry Jones, Jordan Davies, Lee Jenkins, Ryan George (Elliot Scotcher 76’), Jack Wilson

Substitutes not used: Zac Jones, Ioan Evans, Lucas Davies, Daniel James, Harri John

Match summary

The Bluebirds started well with Jack Wilson forcing two saves from Josh Tibbetts inside the first ten minutes.

More chances fell to the home side early on in sweltering conditions, with Davies unable to control the ball to get a shot away, and Wilson releasing an effort over the crossbar.

Sion Bradley went close for the Cofis when his effort from inside the area was blocked by some fantastic last-ditch defending to deny the midfielder.

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The best chance of the half fell to County ten minutes before half-time, with Ryan George beating his man and delivering a ball into Ben Fawcett, who had a couple of efforts from yards out which were somehow kept out by the away side.

The Bluebirds picked up from where they left off in the first half, dictating the ball against a well organised Canaries side.

Three chances fell to Pennock’s side in as many minutes, with defender Jenkins directing a header narrowly wide before Davies’ cross-cum-shot was palmed away following a corner, and Fawcett’s effort from inside the area deflected wide of the post.

As the match appeared to be heading for a stalemate, Pennock’s side capitalised on their dominance to secure all three points with ten minutes to play. Henry Jones delivered a pinpoint cross to Davies, who guided his header past Tibbetts at the back post to seal the victory for the Bluebirds.

Where did the result leave the Bluebirds?

The victory against Caernarfon maintained the Bluebirds’ unbeaten start to the season, with a 4-2 win against Barry Town United a week prior in the Nathaniel MG Cup. The Town would go on to continue their unbeaten run in their next two matches with a draw away to Bala and a home win over Airbus UK Broughton before narrowly losing 3-2 away to Penybont at the end of August.

Key player for the Bluebirds

Match winner Davies enjoyed a very successful period at the Bluebirds, scoring 21 goals in 50 appearances while also finishing as the top goalscorer in the 2022-23 season, netting 15 times.

Davies began his career with Prestatyn Town, making over 50 appearances in all competitions and scoring 24 goals. The forward enjoyed a good 2019-20 season in the JD Cymru North, scoring 14 league goals in 19 league appearances. These performances earnt him a move to the National League North, where he joined Telford United. Davies made 16 appearances during the first half of the season for the Bucks, before joining King’s Lynn in the March of that season, where he made three appearances.

The forward moved back to Wales in the summer of 2021, making 16 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals before securing a loan move to Pembrokeshire in January 2022. Davies hit the ground running for the Bluebirds, scoring six goals in 13 appearances for County, signing permanently for the club the following summer. After spending one-and-a-half seasons at the club, Davies returned to north Wales and re-signed for the Nomads, where he scored 26 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions before moving to Scotland last summer, joining Championship side Greenock Morton.

The forward has recently returned to the JD Cymru Premier, joining newly-promoted Colwyn Bay. Davies has also played football for his country, making one appearance for Cymru C in a 1-0 victory over England in March 2024. The striker has also played futsal for his country, having played in both FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and UEFA Futsal Euro Qualifiers.