2026 UEFA Europa Conference League – First qualifying round

 
 

Floriana 2 - Haverfordwest County 1

 
Florianna came from behind to secure a slender victory against Haverfordwest County in the first leg played in the sweltering heat of the Centenary Stadium in Malta, televised live on the 'Sgorio' platform on Tuesday evening.
 
Despite this narrow defeat the Bluebirds will feel quietly confident that they can overturn this disappointing result when they meet each other in the second leg at Parc y Scarlets next week.
 
Haverfordwest County had at least 150 travelling supporters cheering them on at the Centenary Stadium, which was a terrific boost for Tony Pennock's team..
 
Haverfordwest County started confidently and kept possession for good periods, they started their European campaign with nigh on a perfect start as they broke the deadlock with a well-worked goal scored by striker Ben Ahmun.

However, on the stroke of half time the hosts equalised through a well-taken glancing header by Gonzalo Gamarra, and shortly after the break Maltese international CioletJake Grech scored the winner from the spot.
 
Tony Pennock’s men picked up three first half yellow cards for Greg Walters, Kyle McCarthy and Alaric Jones – whilst Matthia Veselji picked up a caution for the Maltese outfit.
 
The visitors opened the scoring in the 28^th minute after a superb ball by Walters down the touchline which Danny Hawkins took an excellent first touch before his pinpoint cross fell to Ahmun who made no mistake with a close range header.
 
Just before the break Gamarra ghosted into the Bluebirds’ box and scored with a terrific glancing header to make it 1-1 at the break.
 
In the 56^th minute the visitors were awarded a contentious penalty when Alaric Jones was involved in a tangle inside the box which Malta international CioletJake Grech sent Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Luc Rees the wrong way and found the far corner to put his side 2-1 ahead.
 
Late in the game substitute Elliot Scotcher was issued a yellow card for a rash challenge, whilst at the other end Cory Shephard’s cross from the left saw Hawkins glance his close range header just wide of the target.
 
There were no further goals, but Bluebirds’ manager Tony Pennock’s men will feel they are still very much in this tie as they take on Floriana at  Parc y Scarlets on Thursday, 17^th July in the second leg.
 
Floriana: Guilherme CioletJake Grech, Federico Varela, Dunstan Varela (Captain), Mustapha Jan, Charles M’Mombwa, Gonzalo Gamarra, Iagp Pereira Mendoza, Matthia Veselji, Alejandro Garzia.
Substitutes not used: Yann Fillion, Antiago De Flavia, Zachary Scerri, Dejan Farrugia, Eman Micallef, Owen Spiteri, Neil Cassar, Emerson Piscopo, Carlo Lonardelli, Todor Glisovic, Nathan Zafara.
 
Haverfordwest County: Luc Rees, Dylan Rees (Captain), Rhys Abbruzzese, Alaric Jones (71’ Elliot Scotcher), Ricky Watts, Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett, Dan Hawkins, Kyle McCarthy, Greg Walters, Ben Ahmun (78’ Owain Jones).
Substitutes not used: Ifan Knott, Corey Mathias, Luc Owen, Ashley Watkins, Will Hughes, Iori Humphreys, Osian James.
 
Referee: Szabolcs Kovacs (Romania)
 
Assistants: Marius Florian Badea & Adrian Vornico (Romania)
 
Fourth Official: Marcel Birsan (Romania)

Delegate: Theano Rasouli (Greece)