Zac Jones was the shootout hero for Haverfordwest County once again as they defeated KF Shkëndija on penalties to advance to the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round.
The game started 1-0 to the Macedonians after the first leg, but a dramatic late goal from Lee Jenkins took the game to extra time. New Zealander Jones then replicated his heroics in both of the Bluebirds’ European play-off shootouts to save two spot-kicks.
County started the game brighter and nearly created an opening as Jazz Richards’ cross narrowly missed Dan Hawkins which would have left a tap in.
Shkëndija’s first sight at goal was a speculative cross from Mevlan Adili which had Zac Jones scrambling. The New Zealander was thankful to see it dip over the bar. Jones was then tested for the first time as Erald Cinari’s mazy run ended in a shot straight at the keeper.
The visitors then created the best chance of the half in the 40th minute as Klisman Cake’s delicious run and through ball left Cirali all alone in the County box, but he somehow squandered a golden opportunity.
Shkëndija came close at the start of the second half as Adili headed just wide from a free-kick.
County somehow couldn’t score as Ricky Watts’ header was cleared off the line and Tyrese Owen’s follow up was superbly blocked.
Jones was called into action to tip Adili’s header around the post in the 80th minute to keep the tie level on the night.
After Rhys Abbruzzese was tripped on the edge of the box, Jack Wilson’s thunderous free-kick was parried away by Davor Talesk, swinging the momentum of the game firmly in the Bluebirds’ favour.
The crucial moment came in the 88th minute as a wayward cross found centre-back Lee Jenkins, whose shot deflected into the top corner to send the Bluebirds fans into raptures, and the game to extra time.
Early in the 30 added minutes, a miscommunication between Jones and Jenkins saw Krasniqi flick the ball over the stranded keeper, but Borg thumped the ball clear to prevent a certain goal.
The Macedonians started to apply pressure on the hosts’ backline, again coming close as Cinari curled a free-kick just wide at the start of the second-half of extra-time. But Haverfordwest’s defence held firm to take the tie to penalties.
After Hawkins missed the opening spot-kick, Shkëndija scored their first before Jones stepped up to save two decisive penalties and once again prove the hero for Haverfordwest.
Tony Pennock’s side advance to play B36 Torshavn from the Faroe Islands in the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round.
