Henri Cynwyl claims podium in Wigan rally
IN the days leading up to Sunday's play-off final, Haverfordwest County manager Tony Pennock said one thing clearly: 'The boys are looking forward to it and will be up for the challenge.'
He wasn't wrong.
While supporters rightly celebrate a 3–1 win over Caernarfon Town and the return of European football to the club, it's worth remembering that this moment was forged not in 90 minutes, but across a season built on togetherness, hard graft, and quiet conviction.
Pennock, reflecting before the final, pointed to signs he'd seen as early as last June.
'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,' he said.
That unity has defined the Bluebirds' campaign. They achieved a club-record 51 points and finished with the best defensive record in the Cymru Premier — conceding just 26 goals in 32 games. It was a season not of flashy wins, but of collective discipline, focus, and belief.
And while Haverfordwest's third-place finish guaranteed them a home final, it also meant an unusually long layoff — nearly four weeks without competitive football. For some, that might have spelled rust or lost momentum. For Pennock, it was opportunity.
'The break has given us a chance to get a few of the injured boys back fit,' he said on Friday. 'No excuses from us — the boys are ready.'
Sunday's performance proved that readiness, not just in energy but in character. It was a composed display from a squad that knew what was at stake and trusted in the process that had brought them this far.
Behind the scenes, there was also a challenge: keeping the squad focused and mentally prepared during the long wait. 'Whatever happened in the previous 32 games doesn't matter anymore,' Pennock said. 'It's all about Sunday.'
With the job now done and European qualification secured for the second year running, attention turns to logistics, the UEFA draw, and the question of whether Haverfordwest will again have to play at Cardiff City Stadium due to ground regulations.
But for now, the focus remains on a season that delivered on its promise — and on a manager who asked for belief and got it in return.
Photo caption: Stronger together: Haverfordwest's season success rooted in unity and belief (Pic: HCAFC)
Cover photo by Pic by Craig Thomas/FAW
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