Haverfordwest secure historic win over Shkendija at the Cardiff City Stadium

Haverfordwest County produced the biggest result in their history by defeating Shkendija of North Macedonia on penalties in the Europa Conference League.

An 89th-minute goal from Lee Jenkins put County ahead on the night and levelled the scores on aggregate. After a nervy extra time, goalkeeper Zac Jones was the hero as he saved two penalties to guide his side to the second qualifying round.

The result means they will play B36 Torshavn of the Faroe Islands in the next round.

Being one down in the tie, County knew they had to do something, and they flew out the traps.

Kai Whitmore almost wriggled his way into the box with some quick feet, only for a Shkendija defender to put a vital block in. A minute later Jazz Richards put in a dangerous cross that just evaded the head of Martell Taylor-Crossdale.

Shkendija manager Adrijan Nuhiji was not happy with how his side were playing, and he became unhappier when Ben Fawcett’s shot flashed past the post. County in the first half hour were well on top.

The North Macedonian side built their way back into the game and penned the Bluebirds back for the remainder of the half. Despite being under pressure, Haverfordwest’s defence was solid and very well organised.

But their hard work almost came undone with five minutes to go as Eraldo Cinari beat the offside trap and found himself one-on-one with Zac Jones. Somehow, the winger put his effort wide to the shock of most people assembled at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Shkendija had the best chance, but at the break, Haverfordwest would have certainly been the happier of the two teams.

The beginning of the second half was far scrappier than the first, but there were half chances for both sides.

Mevlan Adili’s header bounced just wide of the post for the visitors, while there was pinball in the box from a Haverfordwest corner, but Shkendija managed to clear.

Much of the second half was played out in the trenches of the midfield. Neither side were able to step up and get their creative juices flowing. As we looked destined for a draw, County stepped up their game.

Jack Wilson unleashed a curling free kick which looked set for the top corner, but Davor Taleski pulled off a sublime save. But one minute from time, there was nothing he could do as County took the lead.

The ball came across the box to Lee Jenkins, who hit a first-time effort that took a deflection into the back of the net. County fans were ecstatic, and it felt like there were far more than 1,700 in the stadium. They had got themselves level and extra time was left to play.

As soon as extra time kicked off, it was clear that the North Macedonian side did not want their fate to be decided by penalties. They pushed and pushed for a winner. Metodi Maksimov, Cinari and Krasniqi all went close, but a mix of poor finishing and great saves by Zac Jones meant the scores remained level and to penalties we headed.

It was a nightmare start for County as Daniel Hawkins missed his penalty. However, the Bluebirds responded by scoring their next three, while Shkendija missed two of their first four, leaving County on the cusp of a big win.

The task fell to Ben Fawcett to put the winning penalty away, but he couldn’t convert, allowing Shkendija a chance to take it to sudden death. Thankfully for Haverfordwest, they have Zac Jones in goal, and the Kiwi pulled off a remarkable save to take his side through to the second knockout round.

Haverfordwest County

Zac Jones (GK), Ricky Watts (Lucas Davies 116’), Lee Jenkins, Oscar Borg (Harri John 106’), Jazz Richards ©, Kai Whitmore, Tyrese Owen (Jack Wilson 78’), Rhys Abbruzzese, Ben Fawcett, Martell Taylor-Crossdale (Iori Humphreys 82’), Daniel Hawkins

Unused Subs: Ifan Knott, John Chesters, Callum Shirt

Goals: Lee Jenkins (89’)

Yellows: Ben Fawcett (45’), Kai Whitmore (58’), Tyrese Owen (62’), Daniel Hawkins (79’)

KF Shkendija

Davor Taleski (GK), Ardian Limani, Mevlan Adili, Klisman Cake, Bashkim Velija, Kamer Qaka, Ennur Totre © (Florent Ramadani 104’), Eraldo Cinari, Endrit Krasniqi, Adenis Shala (Metodi Maksimov 80’), Almir Aganspahic (Dashmir Elezi 74’)

Unused Subs: Kostadin Zahov, Ferat Ramani, Almir Redjepi, Bruno Dita, Anes Meliqi, Lorik Kaba, Amir Nuhija

Yellows: Eraldo Cinari (60’), Endrit Krasniqi (71’)

Penalties

Haverfordwest County: Daniel Hawkins (Missed), Jazz Richards (Scored), Jack Wilson (Scored), Kai Whitmore (Scored), Ben Fawcett (Missed)

Shkendija: Endrit Krasniqi (Scored), Erald Cinari (Missed), Mevlan Adili (Missed), Kamer Qaka (Scored), Florent Ramadani (Missed)

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY WIN 3-2 ON PENALTIES

(Featured Image: Perry Dobbins)