Haverfordwest County have played a number of pre-season friendlies as they have begun life under newly recruited manager Tony Pennock and are busy preparing for the forthcoming JD Cymru Premier to kick off in August.
The Bluebirds kicked off at the beginning of July with a trip to take on a full-strength Swansea City Championship outfit at their training headquarters at Fairwood.
The Swans ran out 7-0 winners thanks to Kyle Naughton who opened the scoring before deadly striker Joel Piroe claimed a hat-trick. Jamie Paterson curled in the fifth, substitute Liam Cullen (from Kilgetty) came off the bench to score twice for Russell Martin’s team.
It was a good opportunity to assess themselves against the full professionals which they enjoyed the experience.
Goalkeeper Zac Jones pulled off a string of decent saves also summer signings Rhys Abbruzzese, Ioan Evans, Lee Jenkins, and Jamie Veale were all used at various stages.
On July 13th Haverfordwest County travelled on the M4 to face Afan Lido and returned with an impressive 5-1 victory at the Marston’s Stadium.
Getting amongst the goals was a brace for Ryan George plus one apiece for Ben Fawcett, Henry Jones, and Jordan Davies against the JD Cymru South team.
Manager Pennock used 17 players as he looked to give all the squad vital minutes on the pitch.
The friendly with Pembrokeshire League Division One Goodwick United was cancelled on Friday 15th July – but the Bluebirds arranged a run out against Ynysygerwen which was played at the Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
It was a comfortable 8-0 victory for the Bluebirds with goals coming through thick and fast as Lee Jenkins, Ioan Evans, and Ben Fawcett all bagged braces alongside a goal each for Jamie Veale and Dan James.
On Tuesday, 19th July it was a trip to Leckwith Stadium to take on Barry Town United who were relegated from the topflight at the end of last season.
Liam Warman bagged the only goal of the game in the 31st minute to give Gavin Chesterfield’s outfit a moral boosting win.
Pennock will be quietly disappointed that his side didn’t come away with victory as they created enough chances but were left to reflect on what might have been.
There are further friendlies scheduled against 23rd July, Portskewett and Sudbrook (N), 26th July, Pontardawe Town (a), 30th July, Swansea City U23s (H).
The JD Cymru Premier – Phase One will kick off on Saturday, 13th August with a home against Caernarfon Town.
