Four intrepid football supporters from Haverfordwest County just completed their annual trek to watch Falkirk, this time in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. 
 
One of the quartet, Kevin Haldane, now drives his taxi around the county town but originally hails from Falkirk, which is equidistant from Glasgow and Edinburgh – and Kevin drove both ways, a total of 922 miles.
 

Special treat at Hampden Park

 
In previous years they have watched Falkirk playing in league matches but this year there was a special treat for Kevin and his travelling companions Eddie Bunston, Alan Adams and Terry Jones, because they were in the last four of the Scottish Cup against Hibernian.
 
They set off from Haverfordwest on the Friday and 461 miles later, after a few ‘pit stops’, they arrived at the travel lodge in Falkirk and then had a few beers in the football club where they renewed friendships made in previous years.
 

Shock result in prospect but then disappointment of defeat

 
After a special breakfast the next morning they boarded one of the Falkirk Supporters’ club buses on the 25 mile trip to Hampden Park and at half time they thought they would be cheering Falkirk into the final since they led 3-0 after half an hour.
 
But then came a disappointing second period where Hibernian drew level and grabbed the winner in extra time so that thoughts of a second Scotland trip were quietly shelved.
 
It was a subdued bus which journeyed back to Falkirk and Kevin admits that he was in bed on that Saturday evening by 9.30pm because of the travel and the disappointment of the day!
 

Long journey home but a ‘free’ meal at Chirk!

 
Then it was on to the journey home and they were hoping to watch Bala versus Afan Lido in the Welsh Premier League, only to discover that it had been rearranged to the previous day.  There was one small consolation, though, because when they stopped at Chirk they checked their lottery tickets they had bought in Falkirk and found they had won £46 – exactly what it had cost them for their grub!
 
They arrived back in Haverfordwest, tired but having had a great time – and already looking forward to the ‘Falkirk Trek’ next season!
 

PHOTO:
Alan, Kevin, Terry and Eddie outside Hampden Park