Floriana come from behind to win as red mist overshadows Bluebirds' bright start
2026 UEFA Europa Conference League – First qualifying round – 2nd Leg
Haverfordwest County 2 – Floriana 3
(Floriana win 5-3 on aggregate)
Malta outfit Floriana came from behind to secure victory against a frustrated nine-man heroic Haverfordwest County to end their European dreams at Parc y Scarlets in front of more than a thousand vocal and proud Bluebirds' fans on Thursday night.
The Bluebirds started brightly as they found themselves two- nil ahead thanks to Greg Walters and Ben Ahmun with a cracker - who both found the back of the net.
However, the visitors hit back as Carlo Lonardelli pulled one back, but matters got worse as Alaric Jones picked up his second yellow for another debatable challenge (similar to last week in Malta) in the box which saw the centre back sent off and Jake Grech made no mistake from the spot which levelled matters at 2-2 at the break.
Tony Pennock received a straight red card and was banished from the touchline as the heat of the occasion had got to the Bluebirds’ camp.
In the 67
th minute the visitors grabbed a crucial third as Charles M’mombwa was credited with the all important winner and there was no way back for the Bluebirds - but it got worse for the hosts as defender Rhys Abbruzzese also received his marching orders in added time.
Everyone connected with Haverfordwest County will feel bitterly disappointed after they had had such a great start to this tie but it all went pear shaped discipline-wise come the final whistle.
Haverfordwest County: Luc Rees, Dylan Rees (Captain)
(76’ Elliot Scotcher), Rhys Abbruzzese, Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts
(56’ Iori Humphreys), Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett
(63’ Owain Jones), Dan
Hawkins (77’ Luc Owen), Kyle McCarthy, Greg Walters, Ben Ahmun.
Substitutes not used: Ifan Knott, Ashley Watkins, Will Hughes, Osian James, Dylan McGuire
Floriana: Guilherme Cioletti, Lucas Lopez, Jake Grech, Federico Varela, Dunstan Vella (Captain), Mustapha Jan, Charles M’Mombwa
(83’ Matthia Veselji), Gonzalo Gamarra, Carlo Lonardelli, Tudor Glisovic, Iagp Pereira Mendez.
Substitutes not used: Yann Fillion, Reece Cutajar, Antiago De Flavia, Zachary Scerri, Dejan Farrugia, Eman Micallef, Owen Spiteri, Neil Cassar, Emerson Piscopo, Alejandro Garzia, Nathan Zafara.
Referee: Joao Goncalves (Portugal)
Assistants: Luciano Maia & Tiago Costa (Portugal)
Fourth Official: David Silva (Portugal)
Delegate: Robert Agnarsson (ISL)
Attendance: 1793
