Latest news with #CaernarfonTown
Pembrokeshire Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Pembrokeshire Herald
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
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Europe twice in three years is special for Pennock
"Two out of three ain't bad" is a fitting cliché for Haverfordwest County manager Tony to joining the Bluebirds in 2022, Haverfordwest had only once tasted European competition, that coming back in took up the reins left by Belgian manager Nicky Hayen and secured qualification in only his second a lengthy absence in continental competition, Haverfordwest acquitted themselves well in the Europa Conference League. They claimed a famous victory over Shkendija before losing out to B36 Torshavn in the second qualifying narrowly missed out last year, but Sunday's 3-1 play-off final win over Caernarfon Town marks a welcome return to Europe. "The club has grown so much since I have been here in three years and continues to grow and improve," Pennock told BBC Sport Wales. "There's lots we can get better at, and we'll keep striving to be better, but twice in three years is something special for all of us."We'll enjoy tonight and start working hard in a few weeks' time because we want to do well in Europe like we did the last time."Pennock, 54, spent five years as the head of Swansea City's academy, and also headed up Hull City's academy before a stint as first team coach. He arrived in Haverfordwest with big boots to fill as Hayen had taken the club from the threat of relegation to play-off contenders in a matter of has successfully built on the now Club Brugge manager's work and this season led Haverfordwest to their highest ever position in the Cymru Premier while reaching a club-record points tally of 51. "I am so fortunate to be their manager, they're a great bunch, we have a good laugh together, they work hard when they have to work hard," Pennock said."When I first came in the club had never finished in the top six in a 12 team league. "We were proud of where we finished this season in third, the highest ever for the club, least goals conceded, 15 clean sheets. "It's been a really good season and as much as we wanted to celebrate that, it would have been a tough one to celebrate if we'd lost at home today [Sunday] in a play-off final."Pennock was also quick to brush aside any links with his former club Newport County who are managerless after Nelson Jardim's departure."It's nice to get linked," he said, "my ambition is getting to Europe for Haverfordwest County and the fact that we've done it twice in three years now is massive for us all."We are better prepared going into Europe this time than we were two years ago. We learnt a lot from that experience as a club, players and staff."I'm looking forward to a trip to Geneva for the draw to see what's in store for us."Haverfordwest played their home European matches at Cardiff City Stadium last time out, but it is understood they will be based at Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets for their next European adventure.
Pembrokeshire Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Manager reflects on unity, discipline, and a season built on belief
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
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Caernarfon happy to be underdogs for play-off final
Caernarfon Town manager Richard Davies accepts his side will be the underdogs when they face Haverfordwest County in Sunday's Cymru Premier play Canaries will be seeking to qualify for the Europa Conference League for a second successive seasonThey made their European debut last summer after defeating Penybont at home in the play-off final but will be away to Haverfordwest this year."They finished highest in the league – they were third and we were fourth – that home advantage might be quite big for them," Davies told BBC Sport Wales."But I think being underdogs suits us as well." Caernarfon overcame Crusaders of Northern Ireland in the Europa Conference League first qualifying exited the competition at the second qualifying round stage after an 11-0 aggregate defeat by Polish giants Legia went on to reach the quarter-finals before losing 4-2 on aggregate to Chelsea."The experiences we had last year not just qualifying but going through that first qualifier and going to Legia Warsaw was unbelievable," Davies added."We'd love to be able to have that experience again."It's huge for every club that manages to do it."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Pennock eyes chance for more European memories
Tony Pennock has told his Haverfordwest County players they have a chance to make memories which will last a lifetime as they prepare for the Cymru Premier European play-off final against Caernarfon Town. Haverfordwest are looking to secure European qualification for only the third time in their history when they host Caernarfon at Bridge Meadow on Sunday (17:10 BST).It has been a fine season for the Bluebirds, whose third-place Cymru Premier finish matched their best in the history of the Welsh top now go in search of a victory which would set up their second European campaign in three years and should mean significant financial 2023, Haverfordwest – who had not featured in continental competition for 19 years – claimed a thrilling Europa Conference League victory over North Macedonian side Shkendija before losing out to B36 Torshavn."To play in Europe is an unbelievable experience," said manager Pennock. "The last time we made it, getting through one round was massive. We really enjoyed both trips away and we gave a good account of ourselves."The boys who were here then have memories for a lifetime. The players who have joined us since have heard all about it so they know what it means too." After finishing seventh in 2022-23, Haverfordwest overcame Cardiff Met and Newtown in the Cymru Premier play-offs to secure their European missed out on a play-off place last year on goal difference. Haverfordwest go straight into the final this time around courtesy of their league position, though that does mean they have not played a game since 19 had the best defensive record in the Cymru Premier this season and lost just seven of their 32 league impressive form has seen Pennock touted as a potential candidate to take over at League Two Newport County this 54-year-old has been in charge at Haverfordwest for three years having previously coached at Hull City and Swansea City."I have had lots and calls and messages about the Newport speculation, but there has been no contact," Pennock said."It's nice to be linked with things I suppose, but my focus is on Haverfordwest County."
