UEFA Europa Conference League  - Qualifying Round – 2nd Leg

 
 

Haverfordwest  County 1 - KF Shkëndija 0 - AET


(Haverfordwest County win 3-2 on penalties)

 
Haverfordwest County won against stunned KF Shkëndija in a dramatic penalty shootout to progress in the UEFA Europa Conference at the Cardiff City Stadium, home of Cardiff City on Thursday evening.
 
Lee  Jenkins scored an 89^th minute winner for Haverfordwest County which forced this exciting tie into extra time.
 
Last week’s Adenis Shala’s goal in the first leg gave the North Macedonian outfit a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead against Tony Pennock’s battling Bluebirds, however late in the game Jenkins struck his deflected shot home which gave his team a chance for glory in extra time period, but neither side scored as the tie went to nerve jangling penalties.
 
Bluebirds keeper Zac Jones was the hero with two fantastic saves and they visitors also struck the woodwork as the Bluebirds won through successful spot kicks by skipper Jazz Richards, Jack Wilson, and Kai Whitmore.



 
Three full coaches of travelling Bluebirds’ fans made the trip to the capital, despite a disappointing result it was a proud performance.
 
The visitors had the lions share of possession and territory without hurting the Bluebirds, Pennock’s men had two shots on target but frustratingly couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Davor Taleski.
 
On the half hour mark, lively hard working striker Ben Fawcett flashed a low shot wide, five minutes before the interval
 
Five minutes before the break, good work by Kai Whitmore set-up teammate Tyrese Owen who struck his vicious shot over Taleski’s crossbar.
 
Two minutes later at the other end, a well weighted through ball fell to Eraldo Cinari who placed his shot wide of the left post.
 
In the 54^th minute Ricky Watts’ goal bound header is blocked; the rebound fell to Martell whose effort was also denied.


 
In the first period of extra time Jenkins’ deflected header from a corner fell into the grateful hands of Taleski. The visitors flashed an ambitious long range free kick over the crossbar.
 
At the start of the second period of extra time Fawcett six yard header straight at the Taleski, good connection but lacked accuracy.
 
At the other end, Cinari curling edge of the box had keeper Jones at full stretch as the effort flew wide. Minute later substitute Dashmir Elezi struck a low 18 yard left footed strike wide.
 
No further scoring as the tie went into a tense penalty shootout which Tony Pennock’s men dramatically won 3-2 to reach the next round of the competition.

Haverfordwest County will play B36 Torshavn from the Faroe Islands in the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round. 
 
 
KF Shkëndija: Davor Taleski, Ardian Limani, Mevian Adili, Klisman Cake, Bashkim Velijs, Ennur Totre, Kamer Qaka, Endrit Krasniqi, Eraldo Cinari, Almir Agansparic, Adenis Shala.
Substitutes: Kostadin Zahov, Ferat Ramani, Almir Rexhepi, Bruno Dita, Anes Meljich,  Amir Nuhija, Florent Ramadani, Metodi Maksimov, Loric Kaba.
 
Haverfordwest County: Zac Jones, Ricky Watts, Lee Jenkins , Oscar Borg, Jazz Richards (Captain), Rhys Abbruzzesse, Tyrese Owen, Kai Whitmore, Daniel Hawkins, Martell Taylor-Crossdale, Ben Fawcett.
Substitutes: Ifan Knott, John Chesters, Lucas Davies, Harri John, Jack Wilson, Iori Humphries, Callum Shirt.
 
Referee: Ivar Kristjansson.
Assistants: Birkir Sigurdarson & Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Fourth Official: Helgi Jonasson.
 
Attendance: 1,716.
 



 

Pictures by Matthew Kelly of Rawphotography