Haverfordwest County AFC get their 2024-25 JD Cymru Premier campaign under way with a trip north to face last season’s runners-up, Connah’s Quay Nomads at Essity Stadium on Sunday.

The Bluebirds kick-started their season with a comfortable 5-0 victory away at near rivals Carmarthen Town in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup last Saturday, while the Nomads were also victorious as they ran out 3-0 winners away at JD Cymru North outfit Buckley Town.

Neil Gibson’s side finished runners-up to The New Saints in Wales’ top-flight last term, while they defeated the same opposition at Rodney Parade in April to lift the JD Welsh Cup.

You have to go all the way back to November 2023 for the most recent meeting between the sides. On that occasion, the Bluebirds produced a memorable backs-to-the-wall performance to earn a deserved 2-1 victory, with Luke Tabone and Ben Fawcett finding the net either side of Ryan Harrington’s equaliser to earn us all three points.

There are six new faces in the County squad for the new season in the form of striker Ben Ahmun, midfielder Greg Walters, defender Alaric Jones, forward Owain Jones, midfielder Kyle Kenniford and defender Kyle McCarthy, with Oscar Borg (Welling United), Tyrese Owen (Worthing), Martell Taylor-Crossdale (Welling United), Kai Whitmore (Newport County), Ioan Evans and Aidan MacNamara having all departed, with defender Kyle Patten announcing his retirement from football through injury.

It was announced earlier this week that the Bluebirds will be without Jack Wilson for the entire 2024-25 campaign, after the versatile youngster sustained a serious injury during pre-season.

There has been plenty of movement both in and out of the north Walians’ squad over the summer, with former Bluebird and last season’s top scorer, Jordan Davies, leaving for Greenock Morton, while Josh Williams – who scored the winning goal in the JD Welsh Cup final – has linked up with Sky Bet League Two side, Tranmere Rovers. Harry Franklin departed for the NIFL Premiership earlier this week, as he joined Crusaders, while goalkeeper Andy Firth has moved to Saudi Arabia to take up a coaching role with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. Legendary striker Michael Wilde has made the move into management, taking up the role at Colwyn Bay alongside Danny Harrison, with Harry Owen and Ryan Harrington joining Flint Town United and Cove Rangers respectively.

In terms of incomings, Chris Marriott, the former captain of The New Saints, has joined up with the club, while Ben Maher and George Ratcliffe have arrived from Caernarfon Town and Pontypridd United respectively. Former Bluebird, Elliott Dugan, sealed his return to the Welsh top-flight by linking up with Gibson’s side, with former Newtown forward Lifumpa Mwandwe and ex-Tranmere Rovers midfielder Rhys Hughes signing for the Nomads. Anderson Pinto has also returned for a second spell with the club.

Connah’s Quay Nomads – At a glance

Founded – 1946

Ground – Essity Stadium (Flint)

Manager – Neil Gibson

Captain – John Disney

Last five meetings

November 19, 2023: Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-2 Haverfordwest County

September 23, 2023: Haverfordwest County 1-3 Connah’s Quay Nomads

January 31, 2023: Haverfordwest County 2-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads

October 1, 2022: Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-0 Haverfordwest County

April 18, 2022: Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-0 Haverfordwest County

Form guide

Connah’s Quay Nomads

W

Haverfordwest County

W

Key player

John Disney

Officials

Referee: Iwan Griffith

Assistants: Ceri Williams and Richard Dolphin

Fourth official: James Walker

Observer: Kevin Parry

How to follow

If you’re not able to join us in Flint, you can still keep up to date with all of the action by tuning into The Bluebirds Nest Live, which will be available on our YouTube channel, as well as our Facebook and X pages, from 2:25pm!

We will also have live, play-by-play updates on X.

JD Cymru Premier MD1 fixtures

Kick-off times are 14:30 unless stated

Friday August 9

Newtown 4-1 Aberystwyth Town

Saturday August 10

Barry Town United vs. Bala Town

Flint Town United vs. Cardiff Metropolitan

Sunday August 11

Connah’s Quay Nomads vs. Haverfordwest County

The New Saints P-P Caernarfon Town

Briton Ferry Llansawel vs. Penybont (17:10) – Live on Sgorio

Previous meeting