Cymru Premier Playoff Race: Who qualifies – Haverfordwest County or Briton Ferry Llansawel?

The Cymru Premier playoff race continues to heat up, with Haverfordwest County and Briton Ferry locked in a tight battle for European qualification.

Before the season began, few would have predicted Briton Ferry and Haverfordwest would be level on points with just three matches remaining.

Haverfordwest entered the campaign fresh from another European adventure, while Briton Ferry were only in their second season at this level, having endured six straight defeats at the start of their debut campaign before eventually finishing six points clear of the relegation zone.

The Race is On for the Playoffs

Both sides have had inconsistent seasons, though Haverfordwest’s struggles have been particularly surprising. The Bluebirds won just two of their opening ten league fixtures, including a shock defeat to bottom‑placed Llanelli Town. At that point, they slipped into the relegation zone and were widely tipped as relegation candidates.

In contrast, Briton Ferry enjoyed a strong first half of the campaign, finishing above Haverfordwest at the split and just five points shy of a top‑six finish.

Ferry have delivered several standout moments, including a 3-0 opening‑day win over newly crowned champions The New Saints, as well as home-and-away victories against Nathaniel MG Cup winners Barry Town United. While inconsistent away form prevented a top‑six push, their progress is impressive given they spent most of last season fighting for survival.

Remaining Fixtures

The two sides meet at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Saturday, live in front of the Sgorio cameras in the lunchtime kick-off. The winner will likely become the favourite heading into the final two games. When they last met in Haverfordwest, Briton Ferry’s blistering first‑half display earned them a 3–2 victory.

After Saturday, Andy Dyer’s side host Cardiff Met before travelling to relegation‑threatened Bala Town on the final day. Haverfordwest visit Flint Town United next weekend, then finish at home to Llanelli.

On paper, Tony Pennock’s sides appear to have the more favourable run‑in, especially with bottom-place and already relegated Llanelli at home, whereas Bala may still be fighting for survival when Ferry arrive at Maes Tegid.

Players to watch out for in massive playoff decider

There’s no hiding that Haverfordwest have been well below par for a lot of the season. A major reshuffle, particularly for their backline, has resulted them in being far less robust as last year.

However, a clear standout for them has been their midfield maestro Corey Shephard. After not netting a goal in the 2024/25 season, Shephard has nine goals and four assists so far this season, including his half-way line volley against Bala back in December, arguably the goal of the season.

It is also very noticeable when Shephard does not play for Tony Pennock’s side, with them losing last time out against Bala with him absent in the midfield. To highlight his efforts, Shephard was rewarded with a new contract extension in mid February, keeping him at Haverfordwest until 2028.

For Briton Ferry, their attack has been excellent. Ruben Davies impressed early on, while 18‑year‑old Ollie Anderson has emerged as a valuable option. But their standout has been Tom Walters, who has been consistently influential throughout the campaign. Walters has 11 goals and 11 assists in 28 games, delivering in key moments, including a recent brace away at Cardiff Met that helped Ferry close the gap on Haverfordwest.

Defensively, Ferry have also tightened up in Phase 2, conceding just four goals in seven matches and keeping four clean sheets. The arrival of former Barry Town centre‑half Luke Cooper, alongside strong performances from captain Alex Gammond and goalkeeper Will Fuller, has given them a solid platform in the race for seventh.