Haverfordwest County A.F.C. News . . . from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Woodrow wins over the Bridge Meadow crowd

At 22 years of age Nicky Woodrow is proof of the fact that local football players can make it in the Welsh Premier League with Haverfordwest County because the talented striker from Milford Haven has been at the Bridge Meadow for over two years now and is banging in his share of the goals.
He has become something of a crowd pleaser with the Bluebirds’ fans since he has earned the reputation as a scorer of spectacular goals and added strength to this claim at Richmond Park this season in a Loosemore’s Cup clash with Carmarthen Town.

Supporters’ and

Nicky’s best goals

He linked well with his strike partner Jack Christopher (another local lad!) in setting up an attack before lurking at the far edge of the box when the final cross was played in from the right and his sweetly struck volley flew back across the goal and into the top corner of the net before the Carmarthen keeper could move a muscle! It was a cracking strike and when ‘best goal of the season so far’ was discussed at a Bluebirds’ Supporters Club meeting it was Nicky’s pile-driver that was chosen by almost all who had been in attendance!
It was one of 13 goals scored so far this campaign when we met Nicky but he would say that he scored an even better goal in the 6-2 victory over Connah’s Quay Nomads last season because he had to work much harder for it, chasing after a defender and dispossessing him before turning another would-be tackler and slamming the ball into the top corner for another eye-catching strike.

Running stamina and Welsh recognition

Nicky has always loved playing football but he did have a short rest from the game in his early teens when his ability as a long-distance runner was evident at Milford Haven School and he did so well in the school, Pembrokeshire and Dyfed cross-country championships that he was chosen to represent Wales in the British Schools’ Championships held near Glasgow, in Scotland, and came a creditable fifth as Wales ended up n the runners-up position. He was also a more than useful 3,000 metres steeplechaser and also represented Wales in this very tough event where stamina, strength and especially technique are vital components, all linked to a will to complete such an arduous run.

Robins’ start and a Herbie goal fest

Nicky had started out in football at Milford United under the watchful eye of Brian Burgoyne and Stevie Harding, two genuine characters at Marble Hall whom he really respected for all that they did for him in terms of advice.  His parents, Terry and Pam Woodrow, have also been very supportive and he also singles out girl-friend Kerry Allen for the wonderful support she provides. He set out in the under 14 team with the Robins, starting out in the central midfield area before switching to right wing, where he began to score lots of goals and so found himself a striker, where he has remained ever since.
His first two seasons in senior football saw Nicky score 40 goals and then 35 goals to make the other teams sit up and take notice and from there he enjoyed a season with Herbrandston where he found the net another 45 times, despite a few niggling injuries to his ankle. Again a number of these were eye-catching and this correspondent can recall one such cracker of a goal at Phoenix Park against Goodwick United where a youthful Nicky picked up the ball on the left corner of the box, beat his marker with the neatest of turns and curled the ball wickedly past Carl Woodhouse and into his far top corner. It was a goal to grace any game!

Academy start and senior squad selection

When Nicky moved from school to study at Haverfordwest College he joined the
Haverfordwest County-backed Academy under the guidance of Ronnie Beynon and still sings Mr B’s praises for the work Ronnie did with him. It was a good time for Nicky because the college team trained on Mondays and played on Wednesdays so he could still turn out in local senior football on Saturdays as a bonus! His performances with the Academy soon caught the attention of the Haverfordwest County senior management and it wasn’t long before Nicky was drafted into the squad on the sub’s bench before staking a claim for a regular place in the team. He’s been involved ever since but was recently struggling with a groin strain for a month or so. He’s delighted to be part of the Bridge Meadow set-up and praises Derek Brazil and Mark Evans as bosses, plus Rob Summons as chairman, but with typical honesty admits that he hates being out of the starting line-up and although he is only 22 is determined to reach the stage where he is first-choice striker on the team sheet!

Big difference from local league

On the subject of local players he is adamant that others could join him, Jack Christopher, Bobby Briers and Craig George in the Bluebirds’ squad.
“But,” says Nicky, “it demands dedication and a willingness to train hard and travel long distances to away matches. But it is worth it because it is the highest standard in Welsh Football and a really challenge. The best way I can describe it is by comparing it to local games. I was always a big fan of Kristan Bennett and Paul Jones at Hakin but at Welsh premier level most of the defenders are bigger than Kristan and some are quicker and more skilful, whilst many of the front men have Jonah’s nose for goals but are bigger and stronger – and sometimes just as fast as he is. That shows what a good standard Haverfordwest County play in.”

Footballing heroes and ambitions

Ask Nicky about footballing heroes and he would list Messrs Jones and Bennett locally, plus English international and roving superstar David Beckham and Fernando Torres, the Spanish striker who plays for Liverpool. He is also quick to praise his team-mates at the Bridge Meadow:
“I enjoy working with Jack Christopher up front as another local player and we both play well off each other. I hope we can stick around Haverfordwest County and score heaps of goals. We are both young and ready to give everything we have – and are learning from class players like Gareth Elliott, Terry Evans, Neil Thomas and Lee Jarman.”